Rod Stewart vs. Dionne Warwick | Head 2 Head

In the 26^th edition of Head ️ 2 Head ️ (2022), Rod Stewart and Dionne Warwick (& friends) contend for the best rendition of “That’s What Friends Are For.” 

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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 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 26^th edition of head ️2 head ️ (2022), Rod Stewart and Dionne Warwick contend for the best rendition of “That’s What Friends Are For”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. Rod Stewart, “That’s What Friends Are For”

Body Wishes • WEA • 1983

Here’s a truly shocking piece of info. Are you ready for it? Can you handle it? Okay, here it goes! Rod Stewart ORIGINALLY recorded the Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager classic, “That’s What Friends Are For” . Yes, you read correctly.  “That’s What Friends Are For,” in the hands of Stewart, appeared on the 1982 soundtrack for the movie, Night Shift.  Stewart’s version eventually appeared on the expanded version of his 1983 album, Body Wishes, with the keyword being eventually.  In other words, the Stewart rendition, which predated the Dionne & Friends edition by three years, wasn’t a big deal.  It didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Grammy-winner (who didn’t win his sole Grammy for this best work, by the way), sings “That’s What Friends Are For” respectably.  There is nothing wrong with his rendition – let me make that crystal clear. His distinct tone and expressiveness shine on this positive pop gem. The production is the 80s to the core with bright synths, electric piano, and – yes – that quintessential saxophone solo.  Melodically, compared to the version I’m most familiar with by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder,  there are differences, namely the tune on the chorus.  Stewart is a bit squarer at the beginning of the chorus, before letting loose.  Does “That’s What Friends Are For” sound like a soundtrack song in Stewart’s hands? I think so, but again, so much of the comparison point is based on the more familiar, more successful cover that arrived in 1985.

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2. Dionne & Friends, “That’s What Friends Are For”

Platinum & Gold Collection • Sony Legacy • 2003

Sometimes, the cover version of a song ends up being the definitive version.  This occurs because the covering musician (1) does a more memorable take or (2) the original isn’t considered to be universal classic.  As mentioned earlier, Rod Stewart originally recorded the Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, “That’s What Friends Are For”; he does a respectable job, all told.  That said, no disrespect to Rod, but the best and most successful rendition of the song is performed by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder – aka Dionne & Friends.

Dionne & Friends took “That’s What Friends Are For” to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. Just the addition of Stevie Wonder’s harmonica is enough to declare this Grammy-winning performance as the definitive take – Oops! Getting ahead of myself!.  The record from Warwick’s album, Friends, finds her taking the reins first in the first verse.  Her voice is easygoing – pleasant and radiant. Elton John joins her for the final lyric, duetting with her on select lines in the beloved, friendly chorus!

“Keep smiling, keep shining

Knowing you can always count on me for sure

That’s what friends are for

In good times, in bad times

I’ll be on your side forevermore

Oh, that’s what friends are for.”

Stevie Wonder arrives in the second verse, showing off incredibly impressive vocals.  He brings more grit than Dionne and is joined by Elton John in the second half. These two have remarkable chemistry. During the chorus, it’s all Stevie, who sets up an equally powerful chorus by Gladys Knight.  That rich alto has rarely been matched.  Finally, John gets his biggest moments, showing off his own soulful, unrivaled vocals on the final chorus, with the return of Dionne and the rest of the friends.  

Appears in :

• Dionne & Friends, “That’s What Friends Are For”: Throwback Vibez ️ 55 (2022)

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The Verdict  

Rod Stewart or Dionne Warwick and friends?  This one is a no-brainer – sorry Rod! I’m still mind-blown that “That’s What Friends Are For” was Stewart’s song originally! All told, four musical icons – Warwick, John, Knight, and Wonder – did it better than one (Rod is an icon, too). Dionne & Friends channel the feel-good nature of this song more authentically by my estimations.

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Rod Stewart vs. Dionne Warwick: Head 2 Head ️ No. 26 (2022) [: Brent Faulkner, Kool Shooters, Layers, Mario Aranda, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Sony Legacy, Valentin Tikhonov, WEA]

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