Phil Collins vs. Mariah Carey | Head 2 Head

In the 35^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Phil Collins and Mariah Carey contend for the best rendition of “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now).”

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 35^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Phil Collins and Mariah Carey contend for the best rendition of “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now).” So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Phil Collins, “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)”

Against All Odds (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) // Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. / Atlantic // 1984

“How can I just let you walk away? / Just let you leave without a trace?” That is a fair question, Phil Collins.  Those lyrics commence the beloved English musician’s gold-certified classic, “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)”.  The titular track from Against All Odds (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is one of 14 top 10 hits by the decorated musician.  Even more elite, it marks one of seven no. 1 hits. “Against” spent three weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. He penned the classic while Arif Mardin produced it.

“Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” begins with a sweet instrumental intro that recurs in the outro. The classic features a memorable, instantly recognizable melody that graces all verses and a marvelous chorus.  Harmonically, it shines using some fabulous chords.  The production is lush, characteristic of the 1980s with the use of keys and strings. The drums enter the mix following the chorus before the final verse, giving “Against” even more oomph.  The songwriting is memorable, evidenced by moments like “I wish I could just make you turn around / Turn around and see me cry / There’s so much I need to say to you / So many reasons why” (final verse), and the refrain/pre-chorus, “You’re the only one who really knew me at all.” The chorus is where Collins’ bread is buttered – easily the section of the song to beat:

“So, take a look at me now

Well, there’s just an empty space

And there’s nothin’ left her to remind me

Just the memory of your face

Now, take a look at me now

‘Cause there’s just an empty space

But to wait for you is all I can do

And that’s what I’ve got to face.”

Collins’ most powerful vocals occur during the chorus. After reaching a fever pitch, Collins brings things down superbly at the end. “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” = EPIC. Unsurprisingly, it won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, in addition to a nomination for Song Of The Year.

Appears in 🔻:

• Phil Collins, Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now): Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 124 (2024)

2. Mariah Carey, “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)”

Rainbow // Columbia // 1999

“How can you just walk away from me / When all I can do is watch you leave?” Mariah Carey is one of the best vocalists ever.  Her instrument is truly elite.  Like her big-voiced female contemporaries, Carey has been an avid coverer. She can take someone else’s song and make it her own. On her 1999 album, Rainbow, she covered the massively successful, Phil Collins classic, “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now”. Tackling “Against All Odds,” Carey had ‘big shoes to fill.’ Fill them she does and then some.

“So, take a look at me now

‘Cause there’s just an empty space

And there’s nothing left here to remind me

Just the memory of your face.”

The sound of “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)” gets an update from the original.  Even so, Carey and fellow producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis don’t have to do anything dramatic.  With stellar source material regarding sound, it’s merely reproducing and tweaking carefully. Carey delivers poised vocals in the first and second verse and chorus (you can argue it’s one big verse).  Carey doesn’t break a sweat, nor does she need to. She merely sings beautifully. The drum riff ups the ante before the third verse.  Carey lets loose more during the final verse, yet never loses control or dares over-sing. The final extended chorus finds her riffing more. She shows off the power of her voice and her impressive range. She still does so with control.  With a song as excellent in original form as “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)”, Mariah Carey superbly covers it.

Appears in 🔻:

• Mariah Carey, Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now): Covers No. 32 (2024)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

The moment of truth? Who performed “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)” the best? Was it the songwriter and original performer, Phil Collins or the coverer, Mariah Carey, one of the greatest singers ever?  Anytime Mariah is in a head-to-head battle, she is a tough contender (see battles with George Michael, Harry Nilsson, and Mary Mary).  Her cover is marvelous.  HOWEVER, overcoming an Academy Award-nominated, Grammy-winning, no. 1 hit is a tall task. Therefore, Mr. Collins takes this one. Take a good look at him now!

Phil Collins vs. Mariah Carey: Head 2 Head No. 35 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Columbia, Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]