The Chi-Lites vs. MC Hammer | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 19^th edition of Head 2 Head (2022), The Chi-Lites and MC Hammer contend for the best rendition of “Have You Seen Her.” 

Welcome 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 19^th  edition of head-to-head (2022), 🎙 The Chi-Lites and 🎙 MC Hammer contends for the best rendition of 🎵 “Have You Seen Her”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. The Chi-Lites, “Have You Seen Her”

💿 The Ultimate Chi-Lites • 🏷 Brunswick Record Corp. • 🗓 2006

“Well, I know I can’t hide from a memory / ‘Though day after day I’ve tried / I keep sayin’ she’ll be back / But today again, I lied.” Those spoken word lyrics performed by 🎙 Eugene Record grace one of the greatest soul songs of all time, 🎵 “Have You Seen Her”. 🎙 The Chi-Lites were a highly successful soul collective formed in Chicago.  “Have You Seen Her,” one of their biggest hits, was a pop hit, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record originally appeared on their 1971 album, 💿 (For God’s Sake) Give More Power to the People.

“Oh, I see her face everywhere I go / On the street and even at the picture show,” Eugene Record sings, following the spoken word intro. He continues with the signature lyrics, “Have you seen her? Tell me, have you seen her?” The Chi-Lites are searching for their exes and lament the fact that she’s gone and NOT coming back. “Why, oh why / Did she have to leave and go away,” they sing dramatically, continuing, “Ooh, oh, I’ve been used to having someone to lean on / And I’m lost, baby, I’m lost.” While there’s ample sadness (and falsetto) over the loss and expiration of love, that Eugene Record helmed backdrop is incredibly soulful.  Additionally, the iconic front man penned the record alongside 🎼✍ Barbara Acklin.  Fittingly, towards the end of this five-and-a-half-minute bop, there’s additional spoken word, finding Record continuing to reflect on the loss.  “Oh doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo / Have you seen her? Tell me, have you seen her?” #Classic and honestly, what else is there to say? This record speaks for itself.

Appears in 🔻:

• The Chi-Lites, “Have You Seen Her”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 40 (2022)
• 13 Amazing, Must HAVE Songs

2. MC Hammer, “Have You Seen Her”

💿 Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 1990

Covering a timeless classic is risky. 🎵 “Have You Seen Her” by 🎙 The Chi-Lites is one of the greatest soul classics of them all.  Furthermore, the song was a pop hit, peaking in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100.  Honestly, a cover wasn’t necessary; The Chi-Lites had already ‘did the damn thing,’ you might say.  Still, in 1990, West Coast, pop-rap superstar 🎙 MC Hammer decided to take the risk of covering “Have You Seen Her.”  Woo! What a brave soul!

As you’d expect, the chorus remains intact from the original.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! That said, MC Hammer puts his own spin in the spoken word verses. It’s not deep poetry, mind you, but, it works.  This, hence, earns him a writing credit alongside original writers 🎼✍ Eugene Record and 🎼✍ Barbara Acklin. All in all, Hammer’s performance is pleasant and completely inoffensive.  While 🎵 “U Can’t Touch This” is the crown jewel of 💿 Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (and the rapper’s career in general), this updated interpretation of “Have You Seen Her” is successful and one of the better moments from the album.  Does MC Hammer give The Chi-Lites a run for their money?

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

The Chi-Lites or MC Hammer – that is the question! While I enjoy the update that Hammer gave us in 1990, this one is a no-brainer. It’s The Chi-Lites all day, all night, and all-time, baby! It’s hard to supplant a classic and Hammer, well, he just can’t do it, man!

The Chi-Lites vs. MC Hammer: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 19 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Brunswick Record Corp., Capitol, Layers, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Valentin Tikhonov]