Sugar Billy vs. Joss Stone | Head 2 Head

In the 30^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Sugar Billy and Joss Stone contend for the best rendition of “Super Duper Love.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head!On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song, comparing their respective performances.  After deliberating, we render a verdict of which performance was the best, or, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 30^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Sugar Billy and Joss Stone contend for the best rendition of “Super Duper Love”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Sugar Billy, “Super Duper Love Parts 1 & 2”

Super Duper Love // Mainstream // 1976 

“Yeah / Are you diggin’ on me? / Yeah, oh, baby / I’m diggin’ on you now, baby.” Everybody needs some Sugar Billy (Willie Garner) in their life.  Who, you ask? Garner is best known for his song, “Super Duper Love Parts 1 & 2.” Fittingly, “Super Duper Love” appears on his 1976 album, Super Duper Love.  What else could the project be named? On this five-minute-plus track, Sugar Billy makes the case he should’ve been a big-time funk/soul musician.  That isn’t how it went down, unfortunately.  The most memorable section of “Super Duper” is the chorus, excerpted above, that continues as follows: “Yeah, ooh / Do you want a bit of my love? / Yeah / Wait a minute, wait a minute.” Woo!

“Super Duper Love” is epic because of the personality and gritty vocals Sugar Billy serves up. Besides the superb chorus, one of the best moments from the song is when he references himself in the pre-chorus: “In the presence of all my friends / You stood there holdin’ Sugar’s hand.” Also making the fifth track from Super Duper Love cool is the instrumental. The groove is chill and soulful, carried by the drums and percussion.  There is also amazing bluesy organ playing and marvelous electric guitar soloing throughout.  Interestingly, there are no background vocals. No problem.  An assertive Sugar Billy holds it down, bringing those tuneful melodies to life without a hitch.  If you weren’t aware of Sugar Billy and “Super Duper Love Parts 1 & 2”, you should check him out pronto.  Do you know who helped bring newfound attention to him? Joss Stone 🤯. 

2. Joss Stone, “Super Duper Love”

The Soul Sessions // Virgin // 2023 

“Super Duper Love” was an epic introduction to Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, Joss Stone.  “Super Duper Love” appeared on her 2003, gold-certified debut album, The Soul Sessions. In Stone’s hands, “Super Duper Love” sounded refreshing despite hearkening back to the soul music of old.  A Billy Sugar (Willie Garner) cover, Stone infused her fair share of soul into the cut at the mere age of 16. Stone was supported by some supremely talented musicians including Little Beaver on guitar, Latimore on piano, the late Betty Wright on backing vocals, and Cindy Blackman on drums.  That’s a loaded roster!

The music superbly captures the high-flying nature of the original.  Little Beaver kills it on guitar, while Timmy Thomas ‘churches it up’ on the organ. Jack Daley’s bass line anchors, in all its fatness.  Of course, it is Stone who is the star of the show.  Although youthful at the time, her voice was mature well beyond its years.  Many English singers have proven themselves to have the chops to hang in soul circles and Joss was no different.  She sings powerfully and expressively, channeling her inner Sugar Billy superbly. “In the presence of all my friends / You stood there holdin’ my hand,” she sings convincingly, adding, “And you promised me faithfully / That you will be my only man.” She likely hadn’t experienced the full effect of love at the time (she was 16), but, you couldn’t tell by how invested she sounded. Stone gets a lift from backing vocals, something absent from the original.  All told, “Super Duper Love” sounded like the proper lane and vibe for Stone.  Throughout her career, she’s brought ample soul to her music which is dope.

Appears in 🔻:

• Joss Stone, Super Duper Love: Covers No. 27 (2024)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

Ah, the moment of truth? Does the definitive version of “Super Duper Love” belong to the scintillating original by Sugar Billy or the terrific cover by Joss Stone?  Hmm, this one is hard! Sugar Billy deserves ample credit for the original, PERIOD. Without the original, Stone wouldn’t have a breakout hit, right? Right. That said, the version of “Super Duper Love” I’m familiar with, and likely many are familiar with, is Stone’s.  The first time I ever heard the song was courtesy of Stone. So, after a hard-fought, tough battle, Joss Stone gets the slight edge. Another perspective: had Stone not recorded this obscure soul cut, would we be giving Sugar Billy his flowers at all? Food for thought.

Sugar Billy vs. Joss Stone: Head 2 Head No. 30 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Mainstream, Virgin; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]