Shirley Brown, I Had A Talk With My Man | COVERS

In the 32^nd edition of COVERS (2025), Shirley Brown delivers a compelling rendition of “I Had A Talk With My Man,” originally performed by Mitty Collier.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 32^nd  edition of COVERS (2025), Shirley Brown delivers a compelling rendition of “I Had A Talk With My Man”, originally performed by Mitty Collier.    

Good to know, Shirley Brown (b. 1947)! The soul singer 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, believe it or not.  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.  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 Mitty 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.

---

Shirley Brown » Timeless » Malaco » 1991

Shirley Brown, I Had A Talk With My Man: Covers No. 32 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Malaco; Alan Cordero, Flávia Vicentini from Pexels; AcatXIo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

---