The Five Satins vs. Boyz II Men | Head 2 Head

In the second edition of Head 2 Head (2025), The Five Satins and Boyz II Men contend for the best rendition of “In The Still of the Night.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively.  In the second edition of Head 2 Head (2024), The Five Satins and Boyz II Men contend for the best rendition of “In The Still of the Night”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. The Five Satins,  “In The Still of the Night”

Presenting The 5 Satins // Universal Digital Enterprises / Ember // 1957

“Shoo-doop, shoo-be do / Shoo-doop, shoo-be-wah.” Doo-wop group The Five Satins is renowned for the classic “In the Still of the Night”, sometimes titled  “In The Still Of The Nite” for disambiguation purposes. “Still,” recorded and released in 1956, appeared on their 1957 album, Presenting The 5 Satins. Fred Parris (1936 – 2022), the leader of the group, penned it while Marty Kugell produced it. It is one of the greatest doo-wop songs, the greatest songs of the 1950s, and among the greatest songs ever.

The “shoo-doop, shoo-be-do(s)” are crucial to the success of “In the Still of the Night.” The Five Satins provide superb backing vocals for Parris, who handles the lead like a champ. The melodies are tuneful, led by Parris’ beautiful and expressive lead.  “In the still of the night / I held you, held you tight,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “‘Cause I love you, love you so / Promise I’ll never let you go / In the still of the night (In the still of the night).”  The bridge marks another highlight: “I remember that night in May (I remember, I remember) / The stars were bright above (I remember, I remember).”  The quality of the recording isn’t great, but the brilliance of this early R&B song shines through regardless. Notably, “Still” was recorded in the basement of a church – St. Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Another marvelous moment from this doo-wop classic is the sweet saxophone solo.  The Five Satins delivered a once-in-a-lifetime song with “In the Still of the Night”.

Appears in :

• The Five Satins, In the Still of the Night: Throwback Vibez 8 (2025)

2. Boyz II Men, “In The Still Of The Nite (I’ll Remember)”

Cooleyhighharmony // Motown // 1991

“In the still (Shoo doop shooby doo) / Of the night (Shoo doop shooby doo) / I held you (Shoo doop shooby doo) / Held you tight (Shoo doop shooby woah).” Grammy-winning R&B group Boyz II Men were dominant in the 1990s.  Among their many hits is “In The Still Of The Nite (I’ll Remember)”, the seventh track from their 1991, multiplatinum debut album, Cooleyhighharmony.  Boyz II Men achieved ample success with this cover originally recorded by the 1950s doo-wop group, The Five Satins.  Boyz II Men made this oldie but-goodie their own.  It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1993.  The single was certified platinum by the RIAA. Notably, their rendition of “Still” appeared in the 1992 TV mini-series The Jacksons.

“I remember (I remember)

That night in May (I remember)

When the stars were bright (Oh, I remember)

Up above (I remember).”

In the hands of Boyz II Men, “In The Still Of The Nite (I’ll Remember)” hearkens back to the days of vintage R&B.  These are elite singing voices making a song that was 35 years old sound fresh and original. Impressive! Contrasting the beloved original, Boyz II Men scrap the instruments singing a cappella. Singing without instruments and nailing the blend, harmonies, and intonation is difficult.  It requires connectedness collectively, practice, and skill.  Boyz II Men nail it without a doubt.  The “shoo doo(s)” are locked-in, the harmonies on-point, and the lead vocals sound effortless and incredibly soulful.  This remake could’ve sounded anachronistic following the evolution of R&B.  Instead, Boyz II Men introduced “In The Still Of The Nite (I’ll Remember)”, among the greatest songs ever, to an entirely new and younger audience.

Appears in :

• Boyz II Men, In The Still Of The Nite (I’ll Remember): Covers No. 2 (2025)

The Verdict  

Who did it, “In The Still of the Night” best? Was it the historic original by The Five Satins from 1956 or the stunning a cappella cover by Boyz II Men in 1991?  In terms of importance, The Five Satins’ original is a landmark recording.  This is the song they are renowned for and perhaps the best-known of all doo-wop songs. In that regard, they can’t be denied.  But, Boyz II Men’s a cappella cover is more impressive, ridding of instruments in favor of only voices and reaching the highest of heights.  So, who is it, The Musical Hype? It’s giving a tie.

The Five Satins vs. Boyz II Men: Head 2 Head No. 2 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Ember, Motown, Universal Digital Enterprises; Israel Torres, KoolShooters, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]