The O’Jays vs. Chrisette Michele | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 21^st edition of Head 2 Head (2022), another ‘apples and oranges’ edition, The O’Jays and Chrisette Michele contend for best song.

Welcome to Head 2 Head 🗣️! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians singing, 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 21^st edition of head-to-head (2022), another ‘apples 🍎 and oranges 🍊’ edition, iconic soul collective 🎙 The O’Jays and Grammy-winning R&B artist 🎙 Chrisette Michele contend for the best song between 🎵 “Stairway to Heaven” and 🎵 “A Couple of Forevers”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. The O’Jays, “Stairway to Heaven”

💿 Family Reunion • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 1975

Ohio-born soul collective, 🎙 The O’Jays, comprised of 🎙 Walter Williams, Sr. and 🎙 Eddie Levert (and various other members, including the deceased 🎙 William Powell), is one of the greatest groups of all time. The hits are endless for this Philadelphia soul proponent, who famously worked with the legendary, dynamic duo of 🎼✍ 🎛 Kenneth Gamble and 🎼✍ 🎛 Leon Huff.  One of the greatest fruits of their labor: 🎵 “Stairway to Heaven”.

“Stairway to Heaven” is, indeed, heavenly; north of six minutes of sheer glory.  It arrives as the sixth track on The O’Jays’ platinum-certified, 1975 album, 💿 Family Reunion.  The moment you hear the silky smooth, lush backdrop, you know it’s Gamble and Huff.  The writing/production team sees their music continue to find new life within R&B and hip-hop. 🎙 Chrisette Michele repurposed “Stairway to Heaven” brilliantly in 2013 with her own slice of R&B heaven, 🎵 “A Couple of Forevers” (more on that to come, of course). Honestly, these guys could just flat-out sing.  Here, they provide a vocal bible of sorts, bringing smooth moments as well as dynamic, truly gritty moments.

“Here we go, climbing the stairway to heaven

Here we go, walking the road of ecstasy

Taking a load of the whole world off our shoulders

The door is wide open for you

The door is open for me.”

Yes! That’s before The O’Jays put ample emphasis on “Climbing the stairway to heaven / And we’re going step by step together.” Oh, the love, it’s L-I-T!  “Stairway to Heaven” sounds and feels like musical salvation, if such a thing exists.

Appears in 🔻:

• The O’Jays, “Stairway to Heaven”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 44 (2022)

2. Chrisette Michele, “A Couple of Forevers”

💿 Better • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 2013

Sometimes, one questionable choice can end a brilliant career.  That’s what happened to 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist 🎙 Chrisette Michele.  The choice she made was to sing at one of President Trump’s inaugural balls.  That’s a no-no.  The reason why this was a poor choice for Michele is that her fan base – the R&B fan base – is predominately black.  Most of the black electorate voted against the 45^th POTUS and were heavy on resistance to anything celebrating him.  The fact that Michele ‘embraced’ him by performing for him alienated her fan base, effectively ending her career.  Prior to this faux pas, Michele brilliantly repurposed 🎙 The O’Jays’ 🎵 “Stairway to Heaven” in 2013 with her own slice of R&B heaven, 🎵 “A Couple of Forevers”.   Michele not only borrows the instrumental but is also inspired by the vocal arrangement and ad-libs, which are truly masterful.

Because of the thoughtful sample, this 2013 gem sounds like a lush, soulful throwback to the 1970s. In “A Couple of Forevers,” the relaxed, lush production work allows for Michele to spoil us with her vocal ‘goodness’ to the n^th degree.  She has one of the most distinct voices you’ll ever hear, characterized by its classy, refined, and nuanced nature.  Sure, sometimes these ‘distinct-voiced’ singers don’t appeal to everyone, but personally, I love unique vocal timbres! Anyways, anchored by a top-notch chorus, Ms. Michele has us right in the ‘palm of her hand.’ Heartfelt and sincere, you’ll surely desire to spin it forever and beyond.

“Just a couple of forevers

A couple of forevers

I’m the only one, you’re the only one

Together till never

I’m talking my forever

Just a couple of forevers

I’m the only one, you’re the only one

Together till never.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 15 Songs Whose Focus is on Forever
• Chrisette Michele, “A Couple of Forevers”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 3

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

🎙 The O’Jays (🎵 “Stairway to Heaven”) or 🎙 Chrisette Michele (🎵 “A Couple of Forevers”) – THAT IS THE QUESTION! Both songs are absolutely incredible – highlights from each respective act’s career.  That said, “A Couple of Forevers” OWES credit to “Stairway to Heaven” for its success.  That backdrop that 🎛 Pop Wansel and 🎛 Oak construct, with the help of 🎛 Kenneth Gamble and 🎛 Leon Huff is crucial to “Forevers” success. So, consider that fact + those elite, soulful vocals from Eddie, Water, and William, and this Head 2 Head 🗣️ belongs to The O’Jays.

The O’Jays vs. Chrisette Michele: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 21 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Layers, Motown, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Sony Music Entertainment,  Valentin Tikhonov]