The Beatles vs. Lakeside | Head 2 Head 🗣️

On the 11^th edition of Head 2 Head (2022), The Beatles and Lakeside contend for the best rendition of “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” 

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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.  On the 11^th edition of head-to-head (2022), 🎙 The Beatles and 🎙 Lakeside contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “I Want to Hold Your Hand”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. The Beatles, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”

💿 1 • 🏷 Apple Corps Ltd. • 📅 2000

“I wanna hold your hand / I wanna hold your hand.” Yes, please! 🎙 The Beatles rank among the most important bands of all time if NOT the most important.  Honestly, that can’t be overstated.  The British band’s catalog features hit after hit after hit – NO CAP! One of the best of the best is undoubtedly their 1963 record, 🎵 “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” This two-and-a-half-minute song is nothing short of a vibe.  It’s one of the most fun, catchiest, and easily recognizable songs ever written.

“Oh, yeah, I’ll tell you something

I think you’ll understand

When I’ll say that something

I wanna hold your hand.”

The lyrics aren’t particularly deep, and that’s part of the charm. 🎙 Paul McCartney and 🎙 John Lennon keep things simple, which proves to be a winning formula.  Furthermore, harmonically, The Beatles also keep it simple for the most part, though the B chord (a III chord which should resolve to vi chord but doesn’t) is distinct.  Also, the bridge (or post-chorus) adds a welcome change of pace harmonically (“And when I touch you / I feel happy inside”).  Is there anything more to be said about “I Want to Hold Your Hand?” It’s a surefire pop/rock classic.

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2. Lakeside, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”

💿 Your Wish is My Command • 🏷 Unidisc Music Inc. • 📅 1981 

Have you ever imagined what a soul rendition of a 🎙 The Beatles classic 🎵 “I Want to Hold Your Hand” might sound like? Well, you don’t have to imagine! R&B/funk collective 🎙 Lakeside, best known for 🎵 “Fantastic Voyage”, delivered a dynamic rendition of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” on their 1981 album, 💿 Your Wish is My Command.  In their hands, you can still recognize the key cues and parts of The Beatles classic, but Lakeside makes “I Want to Hold Your Hand” their own.

It commences with a stellar intro, featuring assertive piano, ripe guitars, and pummeling drums.  The intro features both R&B and pop/rock cues, which is a selling point.  As “I Want to Hold Your Hand” establishes itself, the meter shifts from common time to a more soulful, lilting compound duple (or quadruple if you hear it that way) meter.  The tempo is slower and more relaxed, something that plays to the strength of the band. The vocals are high-flying – commanding, gritty, and incredibly ear-catching when harmonies come into play.  If anything, Lakeside makes a statement of the classicism and timeless nature of “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” The fact that nearly two decades after the Beatles they were able to concoct a fresh version speaks to how special the song is.

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

The Beatles or Lakeside? I love what Lakeside did with “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” That said, the definitive version belongs to the original performers, The Beatles.  This often-covered classic started with an iconic band, and they deserve all the credit.

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The Beatles vs. Lakeside: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 11 (2022) [📷: Apple Corps Ltd., Brent Faulkner, Layers, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Unidisc Music Inc., Valentin Tikhonov]

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