Michael Jackson vs. Boyce Avenue | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 29^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2023), Michael Jackson and Boyce Avenue contend for the best rendition of “Will You Be There?”  

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 29^th edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2023), 🎙 Michael Jackson and 🎙 Boyce Avenue contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Will You Be There?”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1.Michael Jackson, “Will You Be There? (Theme from Free Willy)”

💿 Dangerous • 🏷 MJJ Productions • 📅 1991  

“Hold me like the River Jordan / And I will then say to thee, you are my friend.” 🎵 “Will You Be There” ranks among the elite, later hits by 🎙 Michael Jackson.  Long before asking us to “Carry me like you are my brother / Love me like a mother, will you be there,” the 🏆 Grammy winner had already cemented his legacy.  “Will You Be There” appears on his 1991, New Jack Swing infused album, 💿 Dangerous.  That said, my preferred version of the gem is the shortened single that serves as the theme from 📽 Free Willy.

Michael Jackson sings incredibly here – period.  Sure, he always sounds awesome but on “Will You Be There,” he takes that beloved tenor (and beyond) to another level.  Serving as the lead, backed by a superb gospel choir, it’s hard to listen to this record and NOT feel something.  No, “Will You Be There” never mentions God or a deity, and isn’t a contemporary gospel record, but it feels like a spiritual experience.  Jackson seems to be seeking someone who can and will be there for him in a world filled with adversity and lofty expectations.  “When weary, tell me will you hold me? When wrong, will you scold me? When lost will you find me?” he asks.  Among the most memorable sections is the powerful bridge, which precedes a modulating breakdown section.  Jackson proclaims:  

“Everyone’s taking control of me 

Seems that the world’s got a role for me 

I’m so confused, will you show to me 

You’ll be there for me and care enough to bear me?”

The ad-libs that follow in the breakdown section are some of Jackson’s finest of his illustrious career.  Who doesn’t love to hear him welp (“Hoo”)! The platinum certified single, which peaked at no. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1993, never grows old.

Appears in 🔻:

• Michael Jackson, “Will You Be There”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 6 (2022)
• 11 Thrilling Will or Wheel Songs (2022)
• Incredible Songs: 1990s, Vol. 1 (2023) 

2. Boyce Avenue, “Will You Be There”

💿 Cover Sessions, Vol. 2  • 🏷 Peace • 🗓 2012 

Covering 🎙 Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009), The King of Pop, is arduous to the n^th degree. Many artists have covered his songs, but how many of them came close to outshining the King? 🎙 Boyce Avenue, a band comprised of brothers 🎙 Alejandro Manzano, 🎙 Fabian Manzano, and 🎙 Daniel Manzano, are superb at covering other musicians – that’s their thing.  Still, tackling a big song like 🎵 “Will You Be There”, one of Jackson’s great, later hits, is ambitious.  Guess what? Alejandro (lead vocals) and company nail it.

Alejandro is on autopilot from the jump of this acoustic, piano driven cover of “Will You Be There,” PERIOD. His tone is radiant.  He sings expressively, milking that beloved, tuneful melody for all its worth (in the most balance way possible). Alejandro takes his time setting things up, not rushing to get to the biggest moments.  When he ascends up the octave in the second verse, clearly, it feels like ‘it’s on.’ Eventually, the piano is joined by acoustic guitar and percussion, adding color to the palette.  The intensity grows, with a consistent groove established, and Alejandro riffing commandingly over background vocals (“Hold me / Show / Lay your head lowly / Told me…”).  During this final section – the part we all lick or lips in anticipation for – like the original, Boyce Avenue nail those key changes.  I love how smooth and refined the backing vocals are, while Alejandro truly gives his soul riffing on the lead. Boyce Avenue honors the king respectably on this interpretation from 💿 Cover Sessions, Vol. 2 (2012). 

Appears in 🔻:

• Boyce Avenue, “Will You Be There”: Covers No. 29 (2023)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

It all comes down to this! Does this Head 2 Head belong to 🎙 Michael Jackson or 🎙 Boyce Avenue?  We all know the answer to this.  It’s Michael Jackson – duh! If you were an 80s or 90s kid, and you saw Free Willy in theaters, the thing you likely remember most is the song, period.  Sure, Boyce Avenue give their all on a sensational cover but when it’s all said and done, MJ added another top 10 hit and platinum plaque to his arsenal.

Michael Jackson vs. Boyce Avenue: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 29 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; MJJ Productions, Peace; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]