Tyrone Davis vs. Bruce Springsteen | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 9^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2023), Tyrone Davis and Bruce Springsteen contend for the best rendition of “Turn Back The Hands Of Time.” 

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 9^th edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2023), 🎙 Tyrone Davis and 🎙 Bruce Springsteen contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Turn Back The Hands Of Time”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Tyrone Davis, “Turn Back The Hands Of Time”

💿 Turn Back The Hands Of Time • 🏷 Brunswick Record Corp. • 📅 1970

“But if I had a chance to start all over / I would be wishing today on a four leaf clover,” the late, great soul musician, 🎙 Tyrone Davis sings in the first verse of 🎵 “Turn Back The Hands Of Time”. He finishes the verse, “And leaving would be the last thing on my mind / If I could turn back the hands of time.” Davis is filled with regret about a defunct relationship on this classic from his 1970 album, 💿 Turn Back The Hands Of Time. Davis didn’t write the song (🎼 ✍️ Johnny Moore and Jack Daniels deserve credit for the songwriting), but he does bring the relatable theme and lyrics to life.  🎛 Willie Henderson nails it in the production department.  As to be expected, “Turn Back The Hands Of Time” is bright and spirited in sound, as Davis wishes for a rewind and showing he can be the man that she needs.

Davis would earn two top five pop hits in his lifetime.  His highest charting pop hit is, you guessed it, “Turn Back The Hands of Time” which peaked at no. 3.  On the R&B charts, Davis reached the penthouse.  Take one listen and it is understandable why this was a crossover hit.  “Oh darlin’, I can’t hold out much longer / But the pain is getting deep,” he asserts in the second verse, adding, “But if I just had one more try / I would be yours alone, until the day I die.” We have all made mistakes in life, specifically in love.  The message, in addition to the catchy chorus and ear-catching instrumental, solidify the success of this five decade old gem.  Sure, music doesn’t sound like this anymore but 🎵 “Turn Back The Hands Of Time” certainly does NOT sound anachronistic, and the message rings true.

Appears in 🔻:

• Tyrone Davis, “Turn Back The Hands Of Time”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 3 (2023)
• 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 8 (2023)

 2. Bruce Springsteen, “Turn Back The Hands Of Time”

💿 Only The Strong Survive • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2022 

🎙 Bruce Springsteen took a risk in 2022.  Rather than recording an album of originals, he opted to record an album of soul covers, 💿 Only The Strong Survive. Only The Strong Survive highlights some of the most beloved soul classics including the 1970 🎙 Tyrone Davis gem, 🎵 “Turn Back The Hands Of Time”.  In the hands of Mr. Springsteen, he preserves the sanctity of this marvelous soul cut.

Vocally, Springsteen is assertive, bringing plenty of authenticity and grit to his performance. Even though he delivers a punch, it doesn’t feel forced – it’s characteristic of the energy he serves up with his rock performances. Beyond the powered-up vocals (and ad-libs), the arrangement is quite similar to the original, amplified by the advancement in recording technology since the 1970s.  The production by Springsteen and 🎛 Rob Aniello is A OK👌! One notable tweak does occur – a modulation (key change) – which ups the ante.  All in all, The Boss does a bang-up job of channeling his inner Tyrone Davis, without compromising his own artistry.

Appears in 🔻:

• Bruce Springsteen, “Turn Back The Hands Of Time”: Covers No. 9 (2023)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

🎙 Tyrone Davis or 🎙 Bruce Springsteen?  As previously stated, The Boss (Springsteen) does a bang-up job of channeling his inner Tyrone Davis, without compromising his own artistry. That said, guess who does Mr. Davis even better? Mr. Davis himself, of course! The Springsteen cover does a superb job of bringing this 1970 classic into the 2020s, but it was Davis himself that made it a hit on the Billboard Hot 100.  This soul classic will always belong to the late, great Tyrone Davis, PERIOD!

Tyrone Davis vs. Bruce Springsteen: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 9 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Brunswick Record Corp., Columbia; Antoni Shkraba via Pexels, andresilva5, talha khalil, Valentin Tikhonov via Pixabay; Nick Wang on Unsplash]