The Temptations vs. Al Green | Head 2 Head

On the 10^th edition of Head 2 Head (2022), The Temptations and Al Green contend for the best rendition of “Can’t Get Next to You.” 

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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 10^th edition of head-to-head (2022), The Temptations and Al Green contend for the best rendition of “Can’t Get Next to You”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. The Temptations, “I Can’t Get Next to You”

Puzzle People • Motown • 1969

“But my life is incomplete and I’m so blue / ‘Cause I can’t get next to you (I can’t get next to you, babe).” Woo! “I Can’t Get Next to You” ranks among the best of the greatest hits by iconic soul collective, The Temptations. The Barrett Strong / Norman Whitfield penned record appears as the opener on the Grammy-winning group’s 1969 album, Puzzle People.  It’s by far the biggest song from that album. Notably, “I Can’t Get Next to You” spent two weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It’s easy to hear why.

On the hella funky “I Can’t Get Next to You,” The Temptations, each singing solo parts at times, share about all the things they can do. “I can turn the gray sky blue,” they assert in the first verse, continuing, “I can’ make it rain whenever I want it to.” Even with all these things the Motown group can accomplish (“Unimportant are all the things I can do”), it’s the thing that they can’t accomplish that makes it a winner – getting next to her!  Makes sense – love can be a total five-letter word! Besides the list of accomplishments, the high-flying, once-in-a-lifetime vocals, and the unforgettable chorus, another pro from “I Can’t Get Next to You” is the bridge:

“Ooh

Ooh

Chicka boom, chicka boom

Chicka boom, boom, boom.”

Naturally, those silly but fun lyrics up the ante on this late 1960s gem.  Ultimately, “I Can’t Get Next to You” is a rad soul cut.  It’s well-performed, well-written, and well-produced. The Temptations have a strong argument for the definitive version of the song.  That said, Al Green has his own, totally different version that also deserves rad characterization.

Appears in :

• The Temptations, “I Can’t Get Next to You”: Throwback Vibez 22 (2022) 

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2. Al Green, “I Can’t Get Next to You”

Gets Next to You • Hi / Fat Possum • 1971

Had no other version of “I Can’t Get Next to You” been recorded, the original by The Temptations would’ve been sufficient.  The legendary soul collective hit no. 1 with the 1969 gem.  That said, Memphis soul icon Al Green recorded a stunning cover that completely contrasts the original.  Honestly, listening to how starkly different “I Can’t Get Next to You” is in the hands of Green, it’s almost hard to believe iconic soul composers Barrett Strong / Norman Whitfield still penned it! In Green’s hands, the meter changes from the common time of the original to compound duple meter (or compound quadruple, if that’s how your ear perceives it).  A big key to the Green version is another legend, the late, great producer, Willie Mitchell, renowned for his work with the Rev.

To me, the way that Al Green navigates this Gets Next to You is a masterclass in making a song you didn’t write or originally perform your own.  Not only is the feel and groove totally transformed, so is Green’s vocal performance.  He does a little bit of everything, including a ripe falsetto, whelps, and truly superb ad-libs.  Furthermore, melodically, he plays around with the melody, mixing up the dynamics, rhythms, and even talk-singing.  It’s utterly fascinating.  That doesn’t even speak to the supporting band, which is funky as albeit – torchbearers for Memphis soul!  If we didn’t know “I Can’t Get Next to You” was a cover, we’d assume it was an Al Green original.

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The Verdict

The Temptations or Al Green?  How do you choose, honestly? Give The Temptations all the credit for the original.  Furthermore, give Green plenty of credit for the transformation of a number one hit.  In my eyes, it’s a tie because I have mad respect for both. Perhaps the Green version is more of my cup of tea, but I can’t say I wouldn’t drink The Temp’s tea either!

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The Temptations vs. Al Green: Head 2 Head No. 10 (2022) [: Brent Faulkner, Fat Possum, Hi, Layers, Motown, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Valentin Tikhonov]

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