William Bell vs. The Black Keys | Head 2 Head

In the 11^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), William Bell and The Black Keys contend for the best rendition of “I Forgot To Be Your Lover.”  

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song, comparing their respective 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 11^th  edition of Head 2 Head (2024), William Bell and The Black Keys contend for the best rendition of “I Forgot To Be Your Lover”. 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.  Notably, multiple artists have sampled the soul classic including BJ The Chicago Kid (“Liquor Store in the Sky”), Jaheim (“Put That Woman First”), and Ludacris (“Growing Pains”).

Appears in 🔻:   

• William Bell, I Forgot to Be Your Lover: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 70 (2022) 
• 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 5 (2022) 
• William Bell Jaheim: Head 2 Head No. 39 (2022)
• William Bell Bruce Springsteen: Head 2 Head No. 48 (2022)

2. The Black Keys, “I Forgot To Be Your Lover”

Ohio Players // Black Keys / Nonesuch // 2024 

“Oh, I forgot to be your lover,” Dan Auerbach sings in the chorus of “I Forgot To Be Your Lover”, continuing, “And I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” While Auerbach made love missteps, him and Patrick Carney –  The Black Keys – didn’t make missteps covering a 1968 William Bell soul gem.  Bell penned one of the biggest hits of his career alongside Booker T. Jones. Focusing on the cover, The Black Keys version appears as the 7^th track on their 2024 LP, Ohio Players.

“Have I taken the time to share with you

All the burdens that love will bear?

Have I done all the little simple things to show you

Just how much I care?”

The Black Keys shine on “I Forgot To Be Your Lover.” Like the original, the duration is brief, clocking in under two-and-a-half minutes.  Interestingly, The Black Keys’ rendition runs a few seconds longer.  The collective superbly recreates the sound of the 1960s cut, retaining the vintage nature – memorable cues and riffs.  The instrumentation is sweet, specifically the guitars (Auerbach and Thomas Brenneck), organ (Kelly Finnigan), and strings (Matt Combs). Beyond the instrumental backdrop, Auerbach delivers a solid vocal performance.  Throughout the course of the record, he’s soulful without forcing things.  This natural but nuanced vocal pays dividends.  No, The Black Keys don’t reinvent the wheel on “I Forgot To Be Your Lover”, but their rendition is worthy of spins.

Appears in 🔻:

• The Black Keys, I Forgot To Be Your Lover: Covers No. 8 (2024)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

So, who ‘forgot to be your lover’ best? Was it the ‘original’ by a soul legend, William Bell, or a fabulous cover courtesy of Grammy-winning darlings, The Black Keys? Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney ‘put in work’ on their cover – it’s enjoyable and well-rounded.  BUT, The Black Keys don’t do anything ‘other worldly’ that gives it the edge over the beloved original. So, the winner of this Head 2 Head is William Bell.

William Bell vs. The Black Keys: Head 2 Head No. 11 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Black Keys, Concord Music Group, Nonesuch; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]