Mitty Collier vs. Shirley Brown | Head 2 Head

In the 36^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Mitty Collier and Shirley Brown contend for the best rendition of “I Had A Talk With My Man.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively.  In the 36^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Mitty Collier and Shirley Brown contend for the best rendition of “I Had A Talk With My Man”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. Mitty Collier, “I Had A Talk With My Man” 2. Shirley Brown, “I Had A Talk With My Man” The Verdict 👨🏾‍⚖️

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1. Mitty Collier, “I Had A Talk With My Man” 

Talking With Her Man: The Chess Singles 1961 – 1968 » Geffen » 2008

 

Sometimes, Mitty Collier (b. 1941), we need reassurance, particularly from a significant other.  The doubts of the former soul singer, who became a pastor and gospel singer, are alleviated with this reassurance on “I Had A Talk With My Man”: “My blues got bright / He made me know / I was the star of the show.” Aww, the feels! The love! The romance! “I Had A Talk With My Man” appeared on her 1965 album, Shades of Genius, most accessible via the compilation, Talking With Her Man: The Chess Singles 1961 – 1968.  Billy Davis and Leonard Caston wrote it in its secular form. According to Secondhand Songs, it was adapted from “I Had a Talk with God”, written by the late, great gospel music legend, James Cleveland (1931 – 1991). Classy and refined, “Talk” exhibits some gospel sensibilities, evident in its meter, harmonic progression, and the robustness of Collier’s voice. “Talk” peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest charting song of her career.

“I said I sat down, and had / A talk with my man last night,” Collier continues enthusiastically, “He filled my heart with pure delight.” Sweet! Also sweet is the gorgeous instrumental backdrop that accompanies her. There is a sublime blend of orchestral touches (French Horn, strings, etc.) and the traditional rhythm section. Beyond the orchestration, the musical underpinnings, the harmonic progression shines.  There are some colorful chord choices, including an epic B-flat minor 7 flat 5 (an altered ii chord with a dramatic effect).  Still, Mitty Collier is the star, bringing the tuneful melodies and her loving relationship with ‘her man’ to life. “He told me that he needed me / More than words could ever say,” she asserts. What a heart-melting moment!  “I Had A Talk With My Man” also closes sensationally:

“I began to cry

He kissed my tears

From my weeping eyes

Oh, yes, he did, yes, he did

Yes, he did, oh, yes

I had a talk with my man last night.”

Simply put, they don’t make songs like this anymore. Classic, classic, classic!

Appears in:

Mitty Collier, I Had A Talk With My Man: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 100 (2025)  15 Engaging W-I-T-H With Songs (2025) Eye 👁 This List of Must-Hear “I” Songs, Vol. 5 (2025)

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2. Shirley Brown, “I Had A Talk With My Man” 

Shirley Brown » Timeless » Malaco » 1991

 

Shirley Brown (b. 1947) is a soul singer who is best known for her sole pop hit,  “Woman to Woman”.  However, Brown also blessed us with her soulful pipes beyond that Grammy-nominated classic.  In 1991, she released a stunning rendition of “I Had A Talk With My Man”, which appeared on her album, Timeless.  By rendition, I mean cover, considering Mitty Collier (b. 1941) originally recorded it in the 1960s.  In reiteration, this is the song that Collier is renowned for, so doing it justice takes a mighty effort.  Brown is easily up to the task!

 

“I Had a Talk With My Man” runs more than five minutes in Brown’s hands.  The original is significantly shorter, at 3:40.  With a minute-and-a-half of song added, Shirley makes it well worth it! The 1991 recording reflects the era. It features more electronic touches in the adult contemporary style. It begins with an intro-lude, with Shirley Brown prefacing the Collier classic.  In this new section, Brown not only makes this rendition her own but also sets up this conversation with her man. Even with the modern production, which ditches the orchestral touches for electronic instruments, the song’s core remains intact and unchanged.  Brown serves up powerful vocals. She sounds authentic, commanding, and nuanced to the nth degree.  While the melodies are mostly tried and true, she tweaks them and takes some risks with ad-libs and vocal runs. Her choices are successful, showing off a high level of musicianship. Beyond Shirley channeling her inner Mitty, there are superb touches with the harmonized background vocals: “Oh, yes he did, yes he did, yes he did.” Another interlude appears, confirming understanding between her and her man and affirming the theme of the song. There is also a brief but sweet bridge that shows off the originality of this cover.  Post-bridge, Brown flexes, showing off the power of her pipes in the outro. It may be an elephantine task following such a classic soul classic as Mitty Collier’s “I Had A Talk With My Man”, but Shirley Brown, an underrated soulstress, does a bang-up job.

Appears in:

Shirley Brown, I Had A Talk With My Man: Covers No. 32 (2025)

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who had the better talk with their man last night? Was it the original, the trademark song of Mitty Collier, or was it the updated, more contemporary cover by Shirley Brown?  Both renditions are top-notch, showcasing incredibly soulful voices. Both musical arrangements are sophisticated.  Mitty’s backdrop is quintessential 1960s, with gorgeous orchestral touches amplifying the work put in by the rhythm section. Brown loses the orchestral cues but still thrives atop the warmth of the keys. While this song is in skillful hands regardless, give Collier her flowers for her feel-good, reassuring, and wholesome version. Those positive, dedicated relationship vibes are infectious!

🏅 Winner: Mitty Collier

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Mitty Collier vs. Shirley Brown: Head 2 Head No. 36 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Geffen, Malaco; cottonbro studio, Israel Torres, KoolShooters, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

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