William Bell vs. Jaheim | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 39^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2022), William Bell and Jaheim contend for the best performance of their respective related songs.

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song (or related songs) and compare 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 this apples and oranges 39^th edition of head 🗣️ 2 head 🗣️ (2022), 🎙 William Bell and 🎙 Jaheim contend for the best rendition of their respective related songs, 🎵 “I Forgot To Be Your Lover” and 🎵 “Put That Woman First”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. William Bell, “I Forgot To Be Your Lover”

💿 The Very Best of William Bell • 🏷 Concord Music Group • 🗓 2007

In his 1968 gem, 🎵 “I Forgot to Be Your Lover”, 🎙 William Bell hasn’t been a good lover.  He hasn’t done the things that he should’ve done to fully support her.  What a shame! What isn’t shameful is the sheer excellence of this short, sweet, and utterly soulful gem. Bell composed “I Forgot To Be Your Lover” alongside another legend, 🎼 ✍ 🎛  Booker T. Jones, who also produced it. “I Forgot To Be Your Lover” peaked at no. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, Bell’s second-highest charting hit.

Bell asserts at the end of the first verse, “Now I realize that you need love too / I’ll spend my life making up to you.” Similarly, in the second verse, he reflects on the things he didn’t do.  Ultimately, per the chorus he intends to make up for his wrongs: “Oh, I forgot to be your lover / And I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to you somehow.”  In addition to fabulous vocals by Bell, filled with authenticity, the music is utterly sublime, hailing from a different age. Also, it’s worth noting, “I Forgot to Be Your Lover” samples a classic tune: 🎵 “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You”, performed by 🎙 Lulu Belle & Scotty.  More than 30 years later, 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B artist, 🎙 Jaheim sampled the soul classic in his 2002 hit 🎵 “Put That Woman First”.

Appears in 🔻:

• William Bell, “I Forgot to Be Your Lover”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 70 (2022)
• 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 5 

2. Jaheim, “Put That Woman First”

💿 Still Ghetto • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2002

🎙 Jaheim might be 💿 Still Ghetto in 2002, but he 🎵 “Put That Woman First”! “When she starts bringin’ up old dirt / And the fights keep gettin’ worse,” the 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B artist sings in the chorus, continuing, “Findin’ numbers in her purse / Better put that woman first.” Phew, he’s got a point! Why? Well, it appears he could lose her!  “Put That Woman First” would be the biggest hit released by Jaheim, peaking at no. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Before diving deeper into the theme and lyrics of “Put That Woman First,” we can’t fail to mention how it’s related to the 🎙 William Bell classic, 🎵 “I Forgot To Be Your Lover”.  While 🎛 Kay Gee does wonders behind the boards on “Put That Woman First,” he does so with multiple sampled elements from the 1968 Bell classic – FACTS!  This includes lyrically when the verses find Jaheim highlighting his biggest mistake: “I forgot to be your lover.” As always, Ja brings class as well as the streets. Beyond the lyrics borrowed from the Bell classic, they possess a hip-hop swagger, idiomatic of the streets. Even so, vocally, Jaheim possesses one of the smoothest instruments in the game, blending 🎙 Teddy Pendergrass and 🎙 Luther Vandross.  It’s definitely worth noting that he sees the error of his ways.

Appears in 🔻:

• Put Your Money 💵 on These 15 Put Songs

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

🎙 William Bell or 🎙 Jaheim? Day-um, that’s a tough choice.  Bell’s 🎵 “I Forgot To Be Your Lover” is easily one of the best soul records of the 1960s.  Jaheim’s 🎵 “Put That Woman First” is one of the best R&B records of the 00s.  When it goes to chart success, Jaheim’s cut performed better than the original that fueled it. Even with the great streaming numbers for both records, Jaheim holds the edge.  When it’s all said and done, I have mad love for both songs, so it’s a TIE! I wouldn’t trade either!

William Bell vs. Jaheim: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 39 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Kool Shooters, Layers, Mario Aranda, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Valentin Tikhonov, Warner]