Usher vs. Chlöe | Head 2 Head

In the 14^th edition of Head 2 Head (2023), Usher and Chlöe contend for the best song that repurposes a Dionne Warwick classic, “You’re Gonna Need Me.” 

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 14^th  edition of head 2 head (2023), Usher and Chlöe contend for the best song that repurposes a   Dionne Warwick classic, “You’re Gonna Need Me”, from her 1973 album, Just Being Myself.   So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Usher, “Throwback” (Ft. Jadakiss)

Confessions • LaFace • 2004 

“Aww, baby, what you say now? Mm, you’re gonna want me back.” #FACTS! “Throwback” is one of many stellar songs from Confessions, the 2004 contemporary R&B tour de force by Usher. How did Confessions NOT win more Grammys ? Four of his nine no. 1 hits came from this album !  Anyways, one of the reasons why “Throwback” stands out is the soulful backdrop produced by Just Blaze. The talented producer gets a huge boost courtesy of a colorful, dynamic soul sample: “You’re Gonna Need Me” by the legendary and versatile Dionne Warwick. Without Dionne, there would be no “Throwback,” PERIOD!

“Throwback,” which added rapper Jadakiss on the reissued, deluxe edition of Confessions,  smartly uses the Warwick sample as dual inspiration. First, the mere presence of this classic-sounding cut is “throwback” nature.  Furthermore, as the excerpted lyrics from the sample suggest, “Throwback” is throwback contextually given the fact Usher wants to take it back to how things/they were.  The Grammy-winning R&B singer says it best on the first verse: “You never miss a good thing ‘til it leaves ya / Finally I realized that I need ya back / I want ya back…” Whether or not Usher was successful in “reuniting and it feels so good” is secondary. Primary, however, is the fact that Usher’s love loss is our – the listener’s – gain. Oh, the schadenfreude!

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2. Chlöe, “How Does It Feel”

In Pieces • Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia • 2023 

“I gave you more than you wanted / I gave you more than you needed / So tell me, how does it feel / To lose the one you believe in?” Oh, snap , Chlöe! “How Does It Feel” arrived as the second single from her debut album, In Pieces. She collaborates with controversial Grammy-winning R&B artist, Chris Brown, which drew pushback given his reputation.  Like Usher on “Throwback”, the Dionne Warwick’s classic, “You’re Gonna Need Me” fuels the fire with   Cardiak and Hitmaka handling the production). Once more, it proves a fitting backdrop, particularly considering the fact that a tumultuous love union is involved (“You’re gonna want me back in your arms” plays in the background).

Brown – again, the source of controversy behind this track – performs the first verse.  He asserts, in great voice, “So many feelings involved, the way you do me / Tell me, you ready or not? This ain’t The Fugees.” Woo! In the second verse, Chlöe, who also sings lovely, provides more context to the rift between them, telling Chris, “See that’s thing about trust / It’s never been about us” and “Gave you the key to my heart beat / You didn’t say it, but you said it / It shouldn’t have hurt me, but I let it.” Clearly, the feelings are bad for both parties, as the ugly side of love has reared its head.  Is the relationship over? It appears to be. Ultimately, “How Does It Feel” is a vibe – one of the better songs from In Pieces – despite a sus choice of collaborator.

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The Verdict  

So, in this unorthodox Head 2 Head , it’s all about who repurposed that Dionne Warwick sample the best.  So, was it Usher or Chlöe? Both musicians – specifically their respective producers and fellow songwriters – did a nice job of connecting to  “You’re Gonna Need Me”.  “Throwback” was not a single from Confessions, so, chart performance is a non-factor in considering it for the coveted prize.  However, “How Does It Feel” was the second single from Bailey’s debut album. That said, it hasn’t ignited the pop charts, so, chart performance, once more, is a non-factor too.  Ultimately, the edge goes to the most memorable record, “Throwback,” that is a pivotal piece to the big-time, iconic, pop cultural juggernaut that is Confessions.

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Usher vs. Chlöe: Head 2 Head No. 14 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; LaFace, Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia; Antoni Shkraba via Pexels, andresilva5, talha khalil, Valentin Tikhonov via Pixabay; Nick Wang on Unsplash]