A Song For You BoTB Showdown

Posted on May 1, 2023

In January, I shared one the newest Rita Coolidge studio albums. Michael Todd inspired this battle with his discussion on two songs written about her by songwriter, Leon Russell whom she had a romantic relationship with at one time.  

A Song For You although written about Rita, Russell had visions of Frank Sinatra recording the song for him but that didn’t happen.  Instead, Russell did a solo release of the song in 1970.  The following year crooner Andy Williams and R&B artist Donny Hathaway each covered the song giving the song momentum.  Williams recording hit the charts at #82.  The song version I remember best is The Carpenters, though.

In today’s battle, I’m going with two female powerhouses who need no introduction.  Allow me to steal your attention for the next several minutes as I ask you to listen to both artists carefully to make a decision on who you think does it better.

Contender #1 Christina Aguilera & Herbie Hancock
Contender #2 Whitney Houston

I invite you to visit BoTBers with showdowns going on today which can be found in my side bar beneath the BOTB banner.  —->

Which artist is the best, Christina or Whitney? Leave your vote in comments!

Polls close noon (ET) on May 7th

I will announce the winner in this battle round in my Monday’s Music Moves Me post on the 8th, so look for it there. Speaking of which I have new 4M music coming up at 6am and you’re invited to step onto the dance floor with me. Later in the week I plan to participate in Rain’s TAD. Perhaps, you’ll stop by to critique my newest artwork. This is CAAC signing off, have a bandtastic day! XO, Cathy 



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22 thoughts on “A Song For You BoTB Showdown”

  1. Loved the backstory. Tough choice here. Despite the addition of Herbie’s outstanding talents, I’ve still got to vote for the cheerier sound of Whitney.

    1. Ellen,

      WHTNEY HOUSTON gets a second vote! Although, I’m not a huge fan of hers and I by far like her earlier work, I figured she would do better than she this. Looks like I was wrong. Totally interesting battle so far! Thanks, my friend!

  4. This is such a great song and I remember the story behind it. Christina Aguilera has been a long time favourite but I never cared much for Whitney and that’s how my vote is going. Although Christina could have toned down the vocal gymnastics a tad, IMO her version is much better than Whitney’s more uptempo one.

    1. Debbie,

      I agree the vocal gymnastics need toning down. 🙂 I have you down for CHRISTINA AGUILERA!

      Thanks for voting, dear friend. Have a good week!

  6. This is such a wonderful song. The first I heard it was on the Leon Russell album. I love the way he did it. Rita Coolidge was a beautiful singer. I saw her live when she opened for Crazy Horse at the Alumni Gym at UT Knoxville in the early seventies. I don’t recall if she sang this song or not, but she was very good.

    Some folks probably consider it sacrilege, but I’m not much of a Whitney Houston fan. I do like Christine Aguilera though. And having Herbie Hancock on backup is not bad either.

    Give my vote to Christine Aguilera.

    Lee

    1. Lee,

      That must have been cool to see Rita Coolidge perform. There are few artists/bands making their final touring round and I wished we had or could see them play but I hate being in a really nosey environment. My hearing is bad enough. I worry about the exposure even for a short time.

      I think you’re in the presence of many who aren’t Whitney fans. I liked her early stuff but then the rest of what she did just did not appeal to me.

      Another vote for CHRISTINA AGUILERA! Thanks for visiting and playing along, my friend.

  7. Usually, I like Christina Aguilera better than Whitney Houston, but not this time. Maybe it’s the presence of Herbie Hancock (Chicago guy and keyboardist extraordinaire), but I think it’s just the timbre of Whitney’s voice. Anyway, Ms. Houston gets my vote here.

    1. John,

      I thought you like Herbie Hancock for some reason. You’re the first to vote for WHITNEY HOUSTON. At least I don’t have to worry about a shut out now. Thanks for popping by, my friend!

  8. HiYa, CAThy! It’s this me!!

    Well, I gotta say Christina Aguilera’s voice surprised me. I realize now that she really can sing, even if she’s a bit too heavy on the vocal histrionics.

    I have never been a Whitney Houston fan, primarily because of that very issue – the vocal histrionics – which she ironically toned down for this recording. Unfortunately, however, she also sounded a bit to Discofied for my tastes.

    So, I’m going to vote for Christina Aguilera, but PRIMARILY for Herbie Hancock’s fantastic contribution. Herbie is one of the all-time Jazz greats, and if you add Herbie to a track, it automatically improves by at least ten notches in my opinion.

    I would be really interested in seeing Herbie work with (and produce) Christina Aguilera on an album of exclusively classic Jazz and old school Standards (with Christina toning down the vocal gymnastics in favor of more genuine feeling). I’d bet that would be a fantabulous collaboration.

    ~ D-FensDogG

    1. They both vould benefit ( well, not Whitney any more) from a vocal coach to train their voice In a more controlled manner. I don’t like it when they go up and down and sideways with their voice when they don’t need to plus..stop screaming out the note. ..sing it like opera singers do…Christina has the talent which is why I pick her. She has it all over Houston. I was never a fan of Houston plus I don’t like the beat in Houston’s version. Christina gets my vote

      1. Birgit,

        Maybe the vocal coach is the problem. lol Many times female powerhouses are taught to belt out those notes which translates in loud, annoying vocals with crazy runs that make you want to strangle them. I just want to hear a pretty voice. If you can sing and sing well, then that’s all you need. That’s my opinion. I have you down for CHRISTINA AGUILERA, my dear. Thanks for voting. Have a bandtastic day!

    2. Stephen,

      You’re so right Christina is very melodramatic with her vocals. I don’t remember her being quite this bad when she was younger. She has a nice voice and strong pipes but her overall style can be a real killjoy to listen to her. I was more of Whitney Houston fan in her early days. The bigger star she became, so did her voice which was too over the top most of the time. I just wish singers like this realized that sometimes little is a good thing instead of spoiling things with showing big voices. I penciled you in for CHRISTINA AGUILERA emphasizing Herbie Hancock is the stronger influence for your decision. Thanks for taking time to swing to cast your vote, dear friend. Have a bandtastic week!

  9. Hi, Cathy!

    Happy First of May and BOTB day, dear friend! Say it with me: “The year is zooming by!” I hope you and DH had a nice weekend. I also wanna give a special shout out to my good buddy Foghorn Leghorn. 🙂

    It starts with a great song, and “A Song For You” is a great one, covered by more than 200 artists in the years since Leon penned and first waxed it. In your battle, I regard the first version, the 2005 recording by Herbie Hancock featuring Christina Aguilera, as “7 Minutes in Heaven.” Every note Christina brings forth in the song touches me and makes me believe she means it. Every crisp note played by Herbie complements her vocal performance. In the spring of 2006, their blues – jazz style single brushed the top 10 on the Smooth Jazz chart and garnered a well deserved Grammy nomination.

    Whitney Houston released this up-tempo version of the song in the summer of 2009 on her final studio album I Look To You. I don’t get why the sad song, a lament over lost love and a plea for forgiveness, was recorded with a dance club arrangement. To me, it is ineffective, lacks power, and doesn’t fit the material nearly as well as the Herbie – Christina version.

    Therefore, I am voting for act #1 – Herbie Hancock feat. Christina Aguilera. I’ll be back over to see you on the 4M dance floor at 6 am and return Thursday to keep our Art Date With Rain. I’ve got a new post running at Shady’s Place and hope you can swing by. Have a wonderful week, dear friend Cathy!

    1. Tom,

      Thanks for asking, our weekend was nice. Our son bought new stereo speakers for his home and wanted his dad to go to Best Buy. I was still feeling the effects from my dental visit, mostly how the Novocain makes me feel afterwards generally not well at my stomach and on top of that sinus issues. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Novocain made it worse. On Sunday, we took a look at some property for our son. He and his wife hope to get into their own place instead of paying rent, which I don’t blame them. Buying a place is a sound investment for the newlyweds.

      I know the year really is passing us by way too quickly. I hope we get into our own new place before this year closes. I’m feeling more hopeful than I was earlier in the year, too.

      Thanks for being the early bird to cast your vote for powerhouse CHRISTINA AGUILERA, my friend!

  10. Cathy where’s Monday’s Music etc. I can’t find the linky either you sent me. 🙁 i THOUGHT you sent it to my Gmail now. I’ll go look at the other one.

    1. Marie,

      I just sent it to your gmail account. I sent the code originally to your Comcast email. Monday’s Music Moves Me goes live each week at 6am. 😉 I see ya on the dance floor later, my dear!

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