The Beatles vs. Aretha Franklin | Head 2 Head

On the 24^th edition of Head 2 Head, The Beatles and Aretha Franklin duke it out over their respective versions of “The Long and Winding Road.”

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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.  On the 24^th edition of Head 2 Head, The Beatles and Aretha Franklin duke it out over their respective versions of “The Long and Winding Road.”  So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. The Beatles, “The Long and Winding Road”

Let It Be • Universal Music Group • 1970

“The long and winding road that leads to your door / Will never disappear, I’ve seen the road before.” If you look up ‘hit’ in the dictionary, you’re likely to find a picture of The Beatles.  Why? Do I even need to explain? The Grammy-winning, ICONIC British rock band are responsible for some of the greatest songs and greatest performances of all time, PERIOD (rather, EXCLAMATION)! During their run, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr exemplified innovative spirit.  The awesome no. 1 hit at hand, “The Long and Winding Road,” appeared on their 1970 album, Let it Be.

 

“The Long and Winding Road” is the perfect song. Paul McCartney delivers expressive lead vocals that superbly capture the simple yet poetic lyrics. 

“The wild and windy night that the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears, crying for the day.”

The melody is incredibly tuneful, particularly that distinct lowered seventh – you’re welcome ya music theory nerds!  Also feeding the ‘nerdom,’ the harmonic progression is great as well. The progression is not too simple nor too complicated, but both effective and ear-catching.  Supporting McCartney, the production and orchestration are lush to the nth degree.  Besides The Beatles playing their respective instruments, the late, great Billy Preston plays Fender Rhodes, while the Richard Newson Orchestra and a choir elevate the musicianship to an unprecedented level.  Honestly, I could go on and on and ON about “The Long and Winding Road.” The sublimeness speaks for itself. 

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2. Aretha Franklin, “The Long and Winding Road”

Young, Gifted and Black • Atlantic • 1972

Aretha Franklin is one of the greatest musicians of all-time – DUH! Her voice is nothing short of amazing, angelic, and heaven-sent. ‘The Queen of Soul’ possesses a rich catalog of music, interestingly, with some of her best songs being covers.  “Respect”, of course, tops the list of covers, written and originally recorded by another icon, Otis Redding.  Anyways, Franklin could sing any- and everything, so, it’s not surprising her knack for reinterpretation considering her vocal gifts. Franklin made The Beatles’ classic, “The Long and Winding Road,” truly her own, PERIOD.

When it comes to The Beatles, pretty much anything they recorded could be considered the definitive version – THEY ARE THE EFFING BEATLES!  Did “The Long and Winding Road” require a cover? Absolutely not – the iconic British group nailed it! That said, the transformation that Aretha Franklin bestows upon us is nothing short of anointed – prodigious to the nth degree! Franklin adds a deep, southern soul sensibility to her 1972 interpretation, which hails straight out the church, and precedes her landmark Amazing Grace album.  One part of “The Long and Winding Road” that is starkly different from the original is the chorus.  The original lacks a true chorus, though this rousing rendition takes the bridge and transforms it into the role of a chorus:

“Many times, I’ve been alone
And many times, I’ve cried
Anyhow, you’ll never know
All the things I’ve tried
Still, they lead me back to the long and winding road.”

This soul-a-fied version of “The Long and Winding Road” marks one of many gems on the cover-laden Young, Gifted and Black (1972). Something about this cover right here – it hits different!  

Also appears on :
10 Favorite Soul Classics by Aretha Franklin
Day 28: Aretha Franklin, “The Long and Winding Road”
30-Day Song Challenge : The Complete Playlist
13 Ear Catching Covers, Vol. 2
11 Songs in It for the Long Haul, Vol. 1

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The Verdict

The Beatles or Aretha Franklin?  How does one possibly decide between icons? When it comes to vocal performance, Franklin wins hands down.  Who could out-sing Aretha after all?  Obviously, The Beatles deserve all the accolades for writing this classic.  Their own version is definitive.  Still, when Aretha covered your song, you know you had to be prepared to give it up!  

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The Beatles vs. Aretha Franklin: Head 2 Head No. 24 [: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, GenderArts from Pixabay, The Musical Hype, Universal Music, Valentin Tikhonov from Pixabay]

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