Melba Montgomery vs. Shirley Caesar | Head 2 Head

In the 33^rd edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Melba Montgomery and Shirley Caesar contend for the best rendition of “No Charge.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberating, we render a verdict on which performance was the best, or, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 33^rd edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Melba Montgomery and Shirley Caesar contend for the best rendition of “No Charge”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Melba Montgomery, “No Charge”

No Charge // Elektra // 1974 

“My little boy came into the kitchen this evening / While I was fixing supper / And he handed me a piece of paper he’d been writing on.” What did it say, Melba Montgomery? “For mowing the yard: five dollars / And for making my own bed this week: one dollar,” the country singer narrates. On “No Charge”, her little boy gave her a list of chores and good deeds, amounting to a “Total owed: fourteen seventy-five.” “No Charge” is the song that Montgomery is best known for. Besides topping the country charts, it peaked at no. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. She originally recorded this classic in 1974, written by the late Harlan Howard. Pete Drake produced. Fittingly, it appeared on her album named, No Charge.

Montgomery sings from a maternal perspective. Narrating and singing beautifully with personality and a heavy country twang, she teaches her son a valuable lesson about how love is priceless.  “For the time and the tears / And the cost through the years, there’s no charge,” she sings, continuing, “When you add it all up / The full cost of my love is no charge.” The final verse is the most touching:

“Well, when he finished readin’

He had great big old tears in his eyes

And he looked up at me and he said

‘Mama, I sure do love you.’

Then he took the pen

And in great big letters

He wrote: ‘Paid in full.’”

Besides sublime singing and songwriting, the production is sweet too. Supporting Melba’s musical cause are strings, rhythm acoustic guitar, and pedal steel.  The acoustic guitar superbly carries the rhythm alongside the drums.  “No Charge” is one of country music’s best.

Appears in :

• Melba Montgomery, No Charge: Throwback Vibez 126 (2024)

2. Shirley Caesar, “No Charge”

Jesus I Love Calling Your Name // Word, Incorporated // 1983

“For the nine months I carried you holding you inside me, no charge.” “No Charge” ranks among the best songs from the illustrious Shirley Caesar catalog.  The pastor and gospel music legend recorded it in 1975.  “No Charge” was originally recorded by country musician Melba Montgomery and written by iconic country songwriter, Harlan Howard. “No Charge” is the sole song by Caesar that reached the Billboard Hot 100.  It peaked at no. 91. Caesar rerecorded it for her 1983 album, Jesus I Love Calling Your Name.

Caesar is not the mother but rather, the aunt who narrates. The narrative is the same. A little boy brings a bill totaling $14.75 for his mother to pay for mowing the yard, making up his bed, playing with his little brother, and getting a good report card. Mama responds by reminding him of everything she’s done for him free of charge.  She sings the lyrics expressively, bringing a Southern gospel vibe: “For the time and tears and the costs through the years / There is no charge / When you add it all up the full cost of my love is no charge.” Fittingly, as a gospel musician, Caesar brings Jesus into the mix at the end of the record, the biggest contrast to the original:

“I like to think about the very minute that he shedded his blood

My debt was paid in full

And I want you to know today

When you add it all up

The full cost of real love is no charge.”

“No Charge” is a powerful, timeless country gospel classic.  Shirley Caesar is at her best.

Appears in :

• Shirley Caesar, No Charge: Music Lifts 30 (2024)

The Verdict  

Who performed “No Charge” the best? Was it Melba Montgomery or Shirley Caesar? Montgomery’s original peaked at no. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 – the bigger hit between the two.  Still, Caesar earned her only entry on the pop charts with “No Charge” peaking at no. 91.  That’s impressive for a gospel musician.  I grew up with the Caesar gospelized version – it’ll always hold a special place in my heart.  However, when it comes to awarding a winner, it’s a draw.  I love both performances dearly.  Harlan Howard penned a song that I wished I could’ve written!

Melba Montgomery vs. Shirley Caesar: Head 2 Head No. 33 (2024) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Elektra, Word, Incorporated; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]