Z.Z. Hill vs. Candi Staton | Head 2 Head

In the 37^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Z.Z. Hill and Candi Staton contend for the best rendition of “Clean Up America.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberating, we render a verdict on which performance was the best, or, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 37^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Z.Z. Hill and Candi Staton contend for the best rendition of “Clean Up America”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Z.Z. Hill, “Clean Up America”

The Complete Hill Records Collection / United Artists Recordings, 1972-1975 // Capitol // 1996

“The world today is in a bad situation / Too much talk and not enough communication.” Facts! Z.Z. Hill (Arzell J. Hill) was a blues and R&B singer from Texas.  Sadly, he died of a heart attack in 1984 at age 48. In 1974, he released a fabulous, socially conscious soul cut, “Clean Up America”.  It was written by Tom Brasfield, Al Cartee, Brent Cartee, and George Soule.  That same year, R&B/gospel singer Candi Staton also released “Clean Up America”.  Reflecting on the excerpted lyrics, five decades after its release, the world, specifically America, continues to be plagued by various issues.

“We got to get it together / ‘fore it gets out of hand,” Hill sings, adding, “We view our problems through too many colors / Never stop to think that we’re sisters and brothers.” Amen, brother! Continuing to preach in the second verse, he advises, “Clean up your own backyard / And I’ll clean up mine / We’re too busy fussing and fighting / All the time.” Yep! Z.Z. delivers prudent, thoughtful lyrics with incredible authenticity and ample soul. The most memorable lyrics hail from the chorus where he implores, “We got to pitch in, pitch in, and clean up America.” While singing these stirring, call-to-action lyrics, the musical accompaniment is lit.  The groove is electric, the bass line fat, and the horns biting in all their articulated glory. Z.Z. Hill ‘put his foot’ into “Clean Up America”, PERIOD!

Appears in 🔻:

• Z. Z. Hill, Clean Up America: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 110 (2024)

2. Candi Staton, “Clean Up America”

Candi // Warner // 1974

“We gotta listen a little bit more / Talk a little bit less / Turn hate into love / And clean up our own mess.” Amen! A couple of years before “Young Hearts Run Free”, Grammy-nominated R&B/gospel singer Candi Staton had another task: to “Clean Up America”.  That’s a big one! “Clean Up America” is the 10^th and penultimate cut from her 1974 album, Candi. Notably, it was released the same year as “Clean Up America” performed by the late Z.Z. Hill (Arzell J. Hill).  His recording is noted as the first. Regardless, as she always does, Candi made “Clean Up America” hers.

In Staton’s hands, “Clean Up America” runs a few seconds longer.  One of its defining features is the recurrent instrumental riff.  Ultra-groovy, the soulful backdrop superbly supports Candi. She’s backed by a tight rhythm section characterized by a big bass line and percussion. Also, the biting horns up the ante regarding timbre. Where the bread is buttered on “Clean Up America” are the vocals. Candi’s lead is expressive and nuanced, oozing with S-O-U-L.  She sings the lyrics with conviction: “We blame politicians for the world today / Just turn our heads hope it goes away / We view our problems through too many colors / Never stop to think we’re sisters and brothers.” Amen! Staton is supported by talented background vocals, who help bring the centerpiece, the chorus, alive in all its glory (We got to pitch in (pitch in) and clean up America.  In addition to ‘killing it’ with the core melody, Staton slays with fabulous, soulful riffed vocals at the end. “Clean Up America” in the hands of Candi Staton is nothing short of awesome!

Appears in 🔻:

• Candi Staton, Clean Up America: Covers No. 35 (2024)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

So, who pitched in, and cleaned up America the best? Was it the original by Z.Z. Hill or the cover that arrived the same year by Candi Staton?  It is tough to pick between the two. I originally stumbled upon the Z.Z. Hill rendition while researching for oldies predating me and instantly fell in love.  That said, I adore the Staton version too thanks to her gritty vocals and that inescapable instrumental riff.  So, call me a coward, or call me torn because this head-2-head is a tie in my eyes.  Both promoted cleaning up America in soulful and stunning fashion.

Z.Z. Hill vs. Candi Staton: Head 2 Head No. 37 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Capitol, Warner; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]