Westlife vs. Ruben Studdard | Head 2 Head 🗣️

On the 32^nd edition of Head 2 Head, Westlife and Ruben Studdard contend for the best rendition of “Flying Without Wings.” 

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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 32^nd edition of head-to-head, 🎙 Westlife and 🎙 Ruben Studdard contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Flying Without Wings.” So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. Westlife, “Flying Without Wings”

💿 Westlife • 🏷 BMG Entertainment • 📅 1999

“Everybody’s looking for that something / One thing that makes it all complete.” Sigh, who doesn’t heart a teen pop ballad, especially one from an Irish boy band? We love heartthrobs, and 🎙 Westlife qualified, no cap.  Furthermore, the boys had a marvelous ballad on their hands with 🎵 “Flying Without Wings.”

The Irish boy band does a superb job highlighting a gorgeous melody penned by 🎼✍ Wayne Hector and 🎼✍ Steve Mac.  Furthermore, the production is radiant, with its use of keys, strings, and acoustic rhythm guitar. The sound is idiomatic of the teen-pop of the late 90s and early aughts.  As far as the form, it’s the soaring bridge that serves as the best section of “Flying Without Wings.”

“So impossible, as it may seem

You’ve got to fight for every dream

‘Cause who’s to know which one you let go

Would have made you complete?”

 

Other factors that make “Flying Without Wings” awesome? How about those harmonized backing vocals? Also, can’t neglect the colorful ad-libs Westlife incorporates.  Had Westlife been the only artist to record this gem, it would’ve been sufficient.  Of course, later, there would be Mr. 🎙 Ruben Studdard, ‘The Velvet Teddy Bear.’

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2. Ruben Studdard, “Flying Without Wings”

💿 Soulful • 🏷 J • 📅 2003

“Who can deny the joy it brings / When you find that special thing / You’re flying without wings.” The second season of the original run of 📺 American Idol might’ve been the most competitive season. The final two easily yielded the tightest race ever: 🎙 Ruben Studdard versus 🎙 Clay Aiken.  Studdard came out the victor off single 🎵 “Flying Without Wings”, an inspiring, beautiful cover from the Irish boy band, 🎙 Westlife (💿 Westlife, 1999) penned by 🎼✍ Wayne Hector and 🎼✍ Steve Mac. 

Ultimately, it didn’t matter that Studdard’s winning single was a cover.  Why? Well, most people were unaware of the original, at least stateside (no shade, Westliife). Furthermore, Studdard’s R&B/gospel interpretation truly made it special. Ruben was, unfortunately, unable to beat out Aiken’s own cover single, “Bridge Over Trouble Water” on the Billboard Hot 100, but hey, hitting no. 2 isn’t the end of the world.  Most importantly, the inspirational, uplifting “Flying Without Wings” showed off Ruben’s silky smooth, expressive set of pipes.  At the time, it seemed his potential was through the roof.  He managed to make a song written for a boy band an awesome solo record.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Take Flight with These 11 Wings Songs
🔗 🎧 13 With or Without Songs: Vol. 2

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

Westlife or Ruben Studdard?  Ruben Studdard gets the edge. Why? Honestly, Studdard’s version is the one I heard first, when he won American Idol. Had I heard Westlife initially, I might have a different opinion… maybe. I enjoy the soulfulness Studdard serves up, particularly the runs.  Give ‘The Velvet Teddy Bear’ credit!

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Westlife vs. Ruben Studdard: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 32 [📷: BMG Entertainment, Brent Faulkner, GenderArts from Pixabay, J, The Musical Hype, Valentin Tikhonov from Pixabay]

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