Who Did It Better? - Al Green vs. Talking Heads (1974/1978)
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Al Green once again. Instead of a song he covered, here is a classic LP track that became a breakthrough hit for Talking Heads.
Please listen to both versions of this classic tune and share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Shared for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.
"Take Me to the River" is a 1974 song written by singer Al Green and guitarist Mabon "Teenie" Hodges. Hit versions were recorded by both Syl Johnson and Talking Heads. In 2004, Al Green's original version was ranked number 117 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The band Talking Heads recorded the song for their second album More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978). Their version, recorded with co-producer Brian Eno in Nassau, Bahamas, was edited and released as a single, and reached # 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1979, as well as hitting the singles charts in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Thomas Ryan wrote of Talking Heads' version that it "broadsided the status quo by combining the best ingredients of conventional pop music and classic soul music, stirring them together, and then presenting the mix in the guise of punk rock." - Wikipedia
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Пікірлер: 150
LOL. C’mon. I like Talking Heads and everything but you know doggone well Al Green gave that song LIFE and is the only reason anybody would get out of this seats and start grooving. There is no comparison here.
@thatsfunnymom4149
4 жыл бұрын
Just like I'm doing right now 💃
@Whoeverheardof
4 жыл бұрын
That's funny, mom lol 😂
@BougainvilleaBabe
4 жыл бұрын
Lol facts
@lindathomas6707
3 жыл бұрын
Melissa .... Lol 😅 , I agree with you whole heatedly ! Al Green's voice is truly one the (Great Wonders) of the world ! He's my all time favorite artist !
Of course The Reverend Al Green. Saw him in concert in Dallas, TX in the 70's.
@sistervluv3556
4 жыл бұрын
I agree. I saw him at a supper club in Cherry Hill, NJ in the 70's also ." Love and Happiness" was his latest hit at the time.
@rasjahson6261
4 жыл бұрын
@@sistervluv3556 Yes but he had many more hits before that song including gospel songs. He is a Legend.
@sistervluv3556
4 жыл бұрын
@@rasjahson6261 Yes I know. "Let's Stay Together" always reminds me of when I was dating the first real love of my life. I am a real fan.
@rasjahson6261
4 жыл бұрын
@@sistervluv3556 The good old days of real music developed by the hard work of people who studied and mastered techniques and sounds of many instruments. I feel sorry for the younger generation who are born in the digital age.
Hands down for the soul brother of Black Gospel music Rev. Al Green. He's an original maestro with what made Black music superb in the 1970s decade.
Mr.Al Green #1❤️
The right reverend Al takes the Gold. No rocker can ever match a soul music icon vocally.
@patrickboulware7159
4 жыл бұрын
AGREE!!! No more to be said!!!
@luvmifro
4 жыл бұрын
I’m tilting to the righteous side like that cold cold picture ✌🏾🤎🤎🤎💃🏽
Definitely Al Green. His version made me want to get up and dance,you can feel it,is very soulful. The Talking Heads did a good version but I wasn’t moved to do anything but listen.
Thank you for this. I’ve always been a fan of Al Green. I’ve also always loved the talking heads version.
Both are great Artis I grew up with both of them listen too both of them I have no preference those kind of music back then you will not see ever again miss those good days back then that what you call music not like today music
I love both versions..im a die hard Talking Heads fan as well as Al Green.....
No one has a voice as Al Green...he was a unic legend...!!!!
I like both versions of this song. The rock version is done very well.
Al Green is related to my grandfather on my mom's side, which makes him my cousin ☺️
@the_true_moe6715
3 жыл бұрын
Wow that’s really cool. Do u talk to him?
@lisawhite8743
Жыл бұрын
Yeah right. Beyonce is my cousin too.
@loveangelmusicbaby444
Жыл бұрын
@@lisawhite8743 replying to a 2 year old comment lmfaoooo gtf on somewhere lisa
Too ask that question really 🙄No other then Mr. Al Green.
@maurice8607
4 жыл бұрын
Kizzy Chester Totally agree. It's Al all the way.
@starryknight776
3 жыл бұрын
It's insulting to even ask that question
I enjoyed both versions
Nothing tops the great Al Green!
Al has more flavor than the Heads but Tina's bass is awesome. Both are cool but I'll go with Al. A good one to match would be Donna Summer v Barry Manilow on Could it be Magic. Donna took that song to Mars and back.
Cant get better than the Original
Al Green.😎
Al Green for sure 😂😂😂
Al
No question about it, of course Al Green
Talking Heads beat tho.Vocals Al Green. Both were exceptional!
That's one of my favorite Al Green songs
Please, how do you compare this song with any other artist, Al Green owns it.
I like Al Green's vocal performance better, but I like how the Talking Heads slowed down the groove... It's a tie for me
Cant even front....both went hard imo. Al had more soul tho
Rev. Al Green. Stay safe y'all.
It's hard to believe I spent 20? 30? years of my life without hearing the original. Even more incredible that I was a big Foghat fan, I think I owned at least three of their albums, yet have no recollection of their version. I do love the Talking Heads version.
It’s hard to touch Al the great Green! The deep soul in his music is untouchable!
Al Green, such soul!
Um duuuh Al Green
c'mon man! ain't even a serious question. i'll give you $5 if you can keep still listening to Al Green's version.
AI Green for sure 🌹🌹🌹
Al green don't get me wrong i like talking heads but al green hands down he got this. 😆
Thanks
Please.
Hmmm..Al Green is giving me ‘porno/Swingers club music, Talking Heads is giving me ‘pole dancing on a slow night in a back alley tittle bar🤔🤔😈 🏆Al Green Your welcome ⚡️
@kxlot79
4 жыл бұрын
🤣🤣#accurate
Al Green hands down. 🎶🖤 8.7.2020
Al Green 100% 👍‼️💗‼️👍‼️
Preacher Al for me.... His screams have always been the best‼️. Also, Wilson Pickett for screams......
Now, you know we're going to say the Reverend! And for the record, I do like the talking heads, too!😂🤣😂🤣
Mr. Al Green!!!!!!!
Al Green baby all the way 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽👊🏼
If you AIN'T making the STANK FACE you don't FEEL AL. 📣🎶🎶🎶
Al Of course
REV. Al just can't help himself, last two songs of his shows so much passion, the rock bands just weren't born with the soul.
The reason why I said All Green because the music should not drown out the Singer ...
I prefer the Talking Heads version.
No competition. Al Green takes it there.
Al was born to be a soulful crooner, that to him, is like breathing to us...
Both sound good. Just differant vibe
Let's not forget Syl Johnson's version. Great song, I like all 3 versions, fortunate enough to have seen David Byrne a couple times 36 yrs ago. Sure, it's Al's song but I can appreciate the Talking Heads version as well.
You should have done Al's vs Syl Johnson's. Comments would have been on fire just like the two versions of the song!!
I always loved the horns and organ Al uses in his songs therefore Al Green is my choice.
Let me save you some time...Al Green vs Anyone...Al wins it💕
Was introduced to the Talking Heads in the 80’s. I must say that this the worst performance I’ve heard from them. It doesn’t fit and feels forced. No passion. But Al Green could probably sing the menu at Mickey D’s and make it sound soulful.
I love them both....do I have to choose? The first version of "Take Me To The River" I ever heard was by Bryan Ferry, then a few months later Talking Heads. It wasn't until several years later I sought out the original.
Hahaha! Guess I'm partial to Al Green!!!!! I was a Talking Heads fan
No doubt 😵 Al Green 💜💯🎉
Well........i'm off and running on this channel. Watched a Gary Coleman flick............listened to Aretha doing some Disco........listened to Mary, Mary by both The Monkees and Run DMC and now somehow i didn't know about the Al Green version of this song, but have heard the Talking Heads version a ton. The funny thing is......I like the Talking Heads version ,but after hearing Green's version I like that one a lot more. Freaking Al Green man........I know some stuff by him, but I might have to do deeper dive into his stuff after hearing this. Thanks, Thanks and................Thanks!!!!
There's something about the beat of the other competitors.. But, to round it out.. Mr. Green, takes this, without much effort. My opinion
Between the bass and the drums on the Talking Heads and the soulful voice of Rev Green..... Tied up🤔
I like them both by Al Green and Talking Heads. However, my favorite version was by Syl Johnson.
Al Green’s voice over David Byrne’s, but loved Talking Heads accompanying music more... very respectable versions
Al Green
Al Green.
Hi! I like the slower tempo of talking heads, but i like Al Green's voice better. He could sing the phone book and it would be spectacular!
Talking Heads. Mostly because I've never listened to it's mix! All those years on 16/1 radio compression squashed these great dynamics, great mics!
Reverend Al
Both sounds good. But I’m biased so Al Green for me! So there.
I like the groovy beat from Talking Heads, they have the edge on this one.
Both versions were done well...it's just a matter of whether you like the blues rock sound of Talking Heads or the soulful blues sound of Al Green. I'm picking Al Green, I like the more soulful sound better.
AL!!! Here's a suggestion: "Close To You" Carpenters or BT Express.
By ALL means, Sir Al Green gives the song that "umph" that it so desperately craves in the Talking Heads version although I dig the Talking Heads. When I was in college (HBCU) the girls on my hall got sick of me playing the oldies aka the greats like Al, Otis, Marvin, Solomon, Teddy P, etc...think I cared? 😎
Love both but nobody touching Hi Rhythm Section. Check for the Syl Johnson version with Hi Rhythm as well.
I'm a huge TH fan since 35 years now and they made me discover Al Green (I know) but there's no doubt here: Reverend Green for shure. Check out their Stop Making Sense version though. It's more like it IMO.
I'm old school, not hard..lol. Mr Al Green 💯. Love all his music. But the other version has a lil funky beat
Al :)
He’s coming back. John 14:6
Al Green makes you feel the words, Talking Heads not so much.
The original composition by Al will always be special, but David's interpretation takes it to another level indeed. Therefore, the Talking Heads gets my vote.
Al Green wins this one and any other "who did it better ?" ! Al Green's vocal ability can't be touched period !
Talking Heads!
It you were into psychedelic Rock Talking heads If you were into classic soul Al green Both are entertaining
I like the talking heads arrangement more. Feels more dynamic. In both cases, I feel like the song sort of overstays its welcome though
This one, musically and production-wise, was pretty equal. And generally, I’m a big fan of TH/David Byrne...but vocally, gotta give it to Al. I can appreciate both versions on this one!
I prefer the Al Green and Willie Mitchell version but there is a funkier version of this done by the talking heads on Stop Making Sense.
Talking Heads
AG.. all day
One version is on 2 and 4 beat and the other is on 1 and 3.
All these comments are so funny! 😂
I don't care if it's the alphabet being sung, if al green is sanging it, that's enough for me.
Al Green did it better take me to the river.
Al Green done it better hands down end of discussion. 👍
You should of added Tina Turner versions.
Did Tina Turner sing it also
😶😶. Al got this.
Both versions were good. Al Green did it better.
Syl Johnson's version beats both of them in my book
Al wins but if I were doing karaoke I’d chose The Talking Heads version ☺️