Nina Simone vs. Donny Hathaway vs. Aretha Franklin | Head 2 Head 🗣️

On the 25^th edition of Head 2 Head, we have a hard-fought, three-way battle between Nina Simone, Donny Hathaway & Aretha Franklin.

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elcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing and contrasting 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.  For our 25^th Head to Head, we have a hard-fought, three-way battle between 🎙 Nina Simone, 🎙 Donny Hathaway, and 🎙 Aretha Franklin and their respective renditions of 🎵 “To Be Young, Gifted and Black”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. Nina Simone, “To Be Young, Gifted and Black”

💿 Black Gold • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1970

“To be young, gifted, and black / Is where it’s at.” 🎙 Nina Simone is the first of three icons on this, well, ICONIC Head 2 Head, sigh.  Of course, she’s the composer, alongside 🎼✍ Weldon Irvine (lyrics) of the classic, 🎵 “To Be Young, Gifted and Black”.  Released in 1969 and appearing on 💿 Black Gold (1970), “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” is quintessential Simone.  This is a record that seamlessly blends jazz, gospel, pop, soul, and ‘showtune’ (musical) if you will. According to a song review by Stewart Mason (AllMusic), Irvine’s “haunting lyrics paid tribute to the late playwright Lorraine Hansberry,” referencing one of Hansberry’s famous quotes.  The result of Simone’s superb music/vocals, and Irvine’s superb lyrics is a surefire, timeless classic.

“Young, gifted, and black / Oh what a lovely precious dream.” Indeed, indeed! Simone magnificently sings the meaningful, ‘woke’ lyrics.  Arriving at the end of a tumultuous era, “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” is an uplifting ode, exploring the possibilities for a better, brighter tomorrow.  “We must begin to tell our young / There’s a world waiting for you,” Simone positively asserts, continuing, “Yours is a quest that’s just begun.” So powerful.  Adding to the allure and excellence are choir vocals, orchestra, and of course, rhythm section, intact with both piano and organ.  Worth noting, it won’t be the last time we hear a rendition of “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” featuring organ.   The deal is, had no other version been recorded, the original would easily suffice.

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2. Donny Hathaway, “To Be Young, Gifted and Black”

💿 Everything is Everything • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 1970

🎙 Donny Hathaway took some liberties with 🎵 “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” (💿 Everything is Everything, 1970), famously performed and written by 🎙 🎼✍ Nina Simone alongside 🎼✍ Weldon Irvine.  It is the stark contrasts that Mr. Hathaway brings to the table that makes his rendition iconic too.  Like the Simone original, the influence of gospel music is evident from the jump.   The thing is, Hathaway takes the gospel element to the next level, creating the perfect gospel-soul record.  From that opening descending piano line, and the drums establishing that compound triple meter groove, it’s clear Donny is going to take us to church.

Vocally, at the onset, Hathaway exhibits control early own, singing with poise, yet equally expressive and nuanced.  As “To Be Young Gifted and Black” progresses, he expands his vocal performance, much like the production and orchestration expands.  Hathaway’s full-fledged ad-libs towards the end, backed by choir mark some of the best moments of this rendition.  That said, his falsetto is incredibly ripe too, inciting chills.  Throw in prominent piano and organ, hailing directly from the black church, and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” in his hands perfectly captures the black experience.  Who would’ve thought another version could rival Simone’s timeless original?

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3. Aretha Franklin, “Young, Gifted and Black”

💿 Young, Gifted and Black • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 1972

Covering 🎵 “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” wouldn’t stop with the gospel-ized version by 🎙 Donny Hathaway.  As we all know, the late, great 🎙 Aretha Franklin was a master at covering and reinterpreting other’s songs – Let the church say, YES!  Sure, she has some fantastic originals in her arsenal, but those covers proved to be transformative (In Head 2 Head No. 24, she superbly tackled 🎙 The Beatles’ 🎵 “The Long and Winding Road”).  Her 1972 album, 💿 Young, Gifted and Black has no shortage of gems.  I’d characterize it as one of her best albums of her career.  Of course, 🎵 “Young, Gifted and Black” ends up being stellar in the hands of The Queen.

Interestingly, “Young, Gifted and Black” marks another stark contrast to the original by 🎙 Nina Simone.  Furthermore, it’s a departure from the brilliant Donny Hathaway recreation.  In Aretha’s hands, she blends the gospel sensibilities of both, and shows off her powerful, prodigious, and untouchable pipes.  The beginning features a freer tempo, with Franklin approaching it as a solo she’d perform in church – rubato to the nth degree.  At one point, she even ad-libs, “Thank you, Jesus,” after expressing the titular line.  Eventually, “Young, Gifted and Black” becomes more stable, backed by a funky, soulful groove, and capturing the deep soul aesthetic Franklin was renowned for.  Even after “Young, Gifted and Black” begins to pattern itself closer to the Simone version as opposed to the radical Hathaway take, she ensures her mark is left, repeating the titular line (backed by choral vocals) for effect.  What can I say but yet another awesome version of “To Be Young, Gifted and Black”?

 

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

Nina Simone, Donny Hathaway, or Aretha Franklin?  Wow… tough, tough, tough.  It’s a matter of preference honestly.  The Nina original is the standard, of course – no way to deny that.  Something about the Hathaway version, which runs nearly seven minutes in duration, really connects with me the most personally.  Maybe it’s how spiritually it’s presented – plus that compound triple meter.  The Franklin version has spirit too, though believe it or not, might get the bronze medal in this instance; it was also the last to arrive.  Thankfully, we can enjoy all three and not have to judge them!

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Nina Simone vs. Donny Hathaway vs. Aretha Franklin: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 25 [📷: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, GenderArts from Pixabay, The Musical Hype, Sony Music Entertainment, Valentin Tikhonov from Pixabay]

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