Willie Nelson vs. Chris Stapleton | Head 2 Head 🗣️

On Head 2 Head #19, Willie Nelson & Chris Stapleton duke it out over respective takes on “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing and contrasting 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.  For our 19^th head-to-head, the source material is 🎵 “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning,” originally performed by Willie Nelson. The two artists going head-to-head are Nelson (duh) and 🎙 Chris Stapleton. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Willie Nelson, “Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning”

💿 Always on My Mind • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1982

💿 Always on My Mind was a big-time album for 🏆 Grammy-winning country icon 🎙 Willie Nelson.  The biggest hit – the big kahuna – is 🎵 “Always on My Mind”.   That’s self-explanatory.  That said, another surefire gem is none other than ballad 🎵 “Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning,” which appears as the penultimate track.  “Last Thing…” was written by 🎼✍ Gary P. Nunn and 🎼✍ Donna Farar, with Nelson’s rendition being the original one. No, it doesn’t dare outclass Nelson’s ‘ace in the hole’ but “Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning” is awesome as well!

Nelson tends to be subtle but expressive vocalist.  There’s nothing wrong with that, particularly if your voice is distinct and speaks for itself.  Here, Willie blesses us with his signature, easygoing, pleasant tone, only occasionally packing a more pronounced punch.  He doesn’t need to do too much, honestly, letting the music speak for itself.  Like Nelson’s vocals, the production also embraces subtlety and simplicity, characterized by prominent electric piano, a simple groove carried by the drums, and of course, guitar.  There’s a chill and relaxed vibe tailor made to old-school country/western music.  The listener leaves “Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning” with a total vibe.  Hard to imagine another rendition of this classic could even think about usurping the original…

2. Chris Stapleton, “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning”

💿 From a Room: Vol. 1 • 🏷 Mercury • 📅 2017

“Oh, the last thing I needed, the first thing this morning / Was to have you walk out on me.” Sigh. 🏆 Grammy-winning country musician 🎙 Chris Stapleton remains consistent on his throwback, sophomore album, 💿 From a Room: Volume 1. From A Room is a brief affair, but superbly executed – understatement. Stapleton shines on his rendition of “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning,” which arrives 35 years after the original by Willie Nelson.

“And I laid down beside you, and I wanted your loving
‘Cause your love makes my life complete.”

“Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning” takes the vintage country sound to the next level. Compared to the country music released that year, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to characterize the record as sounding anachronistic. Anachronistic is meant as no disrespect, however. If anything, “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning” proved to be refreshing, hearkening back to the glory days of the genre. This record, in Stapleton’s hands, is chocked-full of character, led by his over, expressive vocals, which are clearly ‘grittier’ than Nelson’s take. What I love about this interpretation is that Stapleton makes it his own, not seeking to emulate Nelson. That, folks, is the mark of a true artist.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 10 Songs Perfect for the Morning
🔗 🎧 11 Captivating Songs About Firsts

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

Willie Nelson or Chris Stapleton?  Man, I love both these musicians – they are the definition of ‘real ones.’  Still, if I was forced to choose as opposed to calling it a draw, Stapleton gets the edge.  I feel like Stapleton’s take has more grit and more oomph than Nelson’s (no disrespect Willie).  Furthermore, the fact that Stapleton was able to make us believe he was the original vocalist and not someone else, even though he’s a mere ‘coverer’, makes his efforts more impressive in my eyes.

Willie Nelson vs. Chris Stapleton: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 19 [📷: Brent Faulkner, Mercury, The Musical Hype, Sony Music Entertainment, Valentin Tikhonov from Pixabay]