The Friends of Distinction vs. Isaac Hayes | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 46^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2022), The Friends of Distinction and Isaac Hayes contend for the best rendition of “Going in Circles.” 

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 46^th  edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2022), 🎙 The Friends of Distinction and 🎙 Isaac Hayes contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Going in Circles”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. The Friends of Distinction, “Going in  Circles”

💿 Grazin’ • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 1969

“I’m an ever-rollin’ wheel, without a destination real / I’m an ever-spinning top, whirling around till I drop.” Soul collective 🎙 The Friends of Distinction (🎙 Floyd Butler, 🎙 Jessica Cleaves, 🎙 Harry Elston, and 🎙 Barbara Love), who were active in the late 1960s and disbanded in the 1970s, scored a hit with 🎵 “Going in Circles”. “Going in Circles” appeared in the collective’s 1969 album, 💿 Grazin’. The single peaked at no. 15 on the pop charts, earning gold certification from the RIAA.  Notably, numerous musicians have covered the gem penned by 🎼 ✍ Jerry Peters and 🎼 ✍ Anita Poree including 🎙 Isaac Hayes (💿 Black Moses, 1971), 🎙 The Gap Band (💿 Gap Band VII, 1985), and 🎙 Luther Vandross (💿 Songs, 1994).

As the excerpted lyrics suggest, The Friends are in a vicious circle.  In the second verse, the collective asserts, “I’m a faceless clock, with timeless hopes that never stop.” The effect of love is written all over this one, best summarized by the chorus: “You got me going in circles (oh round and round I go).” The poetic lyrics are high-flying vocals are utterly sublime.  Adding to the sheer excellence of  “Going in Circles” is the lush production work (🎛 John Florez), which was idiomatic of late 1960s-70s soul sound.  The orchestration is absolutely incredible. The Friends of Distinction may have been a short-lived soul collective, but the Los Angeles quartet ‘got it done’ releasing a couple of hits including 🎵 “Going in Circles”.  Sure, it’s a fifty-plus year-old song that sounds nothing like the music of the 2020s. Honestly, that’s a beautiful, truly refreshing thing.

Appears in 🔻:

• The Friends of Distinction, “Going in Circles”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 113 (2022)
• Circles: 5ive Songs No. 72 (2022)

2. Isaac Hayes, “Going in Circles”

💿 Black Moses • 🏷 Concord • 📅 1971 

🎙 The Friends of Distinction served up a surefire soul gem with 🎵 “Going in Circles” which peaked at no. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.  If no one else had covered it, the original by TFOD would be sufficient – it’s that superb.  However, many artists have recorded their own renditions, with one of the brightest and most innovative being 🎙 Isaac Hayes’ take from his 1971 masterpiece, 💿 Black Moses.  So, how does the Hayes version differ? Well, Hayes’ take runs seven minutes in duration – nearly three minutes longer than The Friends’!

The Friends of Distinction’s rendition was lushly produced – it’s a very classy arrangement, period.  That said, Isaac Hayes takes such refinement to another level.  The orchestration is even lusher, more ornate, and more symphonic if you will.  One of the coolest musical features is the dizzying, circular strings when the word “circles” is sung.  Also, if you’ve studied the music of Hayes, those signature keys and synths are integrated, finding him making this cover truly his own.  Vocally, we get those buttery smooth pipes, spoiling us with a rich, lower register as well as a ripe, compelling falsetto.  Furthermore, he’s assisted by talented backing vocals that amplify the overall soulfulness of the record.  While the core of the original is firmly in place, Mr. Hayes takes “Going In Circles” to a different place.

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

🎙 The Friends of Distinction or 🎙 Isaac Hayes?  That’s a very, very tough decision to make. The original, by The Friends of Distinction, is the sole version to heavily impact the top charts (🎙 Luther Vandross’ version would peak at no. 95). Hayes’ rendition didn’t chart.  However, the musicianship, particularly the orchestration, is incredibly impressive – innovative for a soul project.  Ultimately, The Friends of Distinction probably deserve the edge – it’s their gem.  Still, this head 2 head is giving draw to me…

The Friends of Distinction vs. Isaac Hayes: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 46 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Concord, Kool Shooters, Layers, Mario Aranda, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Sony Music Entertainment, Valentin Tikhonov]