Who Did It Better? Delta Dawn

Who Did It Better? 

Delta Dawn

Today we're going to kick off a new series here on Wonderland Burlesque: Who Did It Better? - a feature where we compare competing versions of the same song. Note: I said competing versions. That means they came out at or about the same time and before the song was a hit with or familiar to the public. Although, I might also include those songs that failed to take with the public the first time around, but in the hands of someone else, hit the charts.

Sometimes the two artists fought it out on the charts to see whose version got more attention. And sometimes one bowed to the other's status in the industry.

But, cover songs - uh-uh. Not here. That's a whole 'nother competition. We will not be comparing Toto to Weezer. Some things should remain in the past.

Now, for the sake of purity, we will refrain from featuring live versions of the songs or their videos, using original album or single versions only. So, sorry if the vids are a little boring, but... them's the breaks.

Let's dive in... first up? Oh, my... not two, but three of my favorite divas!  

The Song: Delta Dawn written by Larry Collins and Alex Harvey

The Competitors: Helen Reddy vs. Bette Midler vs. Tanya Tucker

Now this is a battle for the ages! 

Delta Dawn - Helen Reddy

#1 Billboard Hot 100

The first recording of Delta Dawn was made by Alex Harvey for his eponymous album released in November 1971. Harvey had performed as the opening act for Helen Reddy at the Troubadour, in January 1972, but failed to pay attention. 

Record producer Tom Catalano created an instrumental track of Delta Dawn and first offered the song to Barbra Streisand. She refused, so he gave it to Reddy. 

Reddy's version, entered the Top Ten on August 18, 1973, on its way to its lone week at #1, on September 15, 1973. (from Wikipedia)

Delta Dawn - Bette Midler

B-side of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (#8 Billboard Hot 100)

 

During the time Tanya Tucker’s and Helen Reddy’s recordings of the song were being produced, Bette Midler recorded Delta Dawn for her The Divine Miss M debut album, for which her bluesy version was planned as the lead single. Reddy's single was released June 1973, two days before Midler's. The preemption required a marketing change for Midler, so the original B-side Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy was shopped to radio instead.(from Wikipedia)

Delta Dawn - Tanya Tucker

#6 Billboard Hot Country Songs 

Nashville-based producer Billy Sherrill heard Bette Midler sing Delta Dawn on The Tonight Show and wanted to sign Midler to Epic Records and have her record the song. Upon finding that Midler was already signed to Atlantic Records, Sherrill cut the song with Tanya Tucker (13 years old, at the time), who was newly signed to Epic, and Tucker's version was released in April 1972. (from Wikipedia)

--- ---

So, this is harder than I thought. But...

Can you imagine Bubby Streisand singing this thing? Girl made the right call on that one. Although, the arrangement she was offered does bring to mind her take on Stoney End.

Okay... where this song is concerned, I am a bit jaded. I think it was played to death. A variety show standard, it was sung by just about every hack on both sides of the Mississippi. I love the genre of music it belongs to: the story song - which was huge in the early 70's for some reason. There were so many. I think every major female star tried their hand at the format - including Diana Ross (Last Time I Saw Him). Someday I'll do a post focusing on that genre. But back to the matter at hand...

I like something about all three versions. 

Bette's is very dramatic - like a motion picture show. By the time she gets revved up, I am so on board. But I can't believe they ever considered making this her debut single. It begins too softly and down tempo and goes on way too long to fit the format of AM radio at the time.

Which is what this song is aimed at... story songs were for AM radio. They were written to draw in and involve the listener. It's classic storytelling. 

Helen's version is concise, solid and much shinier than the other two - so more in tune with pop radio at the time. Yes, it's a tad over-polished and rote, but suits the times.

Tanya's version (which actually beat the other two to the punch) is a perfect country song, though the arrangement does seem to drag a bit. And while I have issues with her vocals (that tight vibrato, very nasal - she would become a much better vocalist in time), she does a great job for a 13 year old. 

I would love to walk away from this one by just declaring it a draw... but, I can't - because that's not how the game is played. 

Okay. I am going with Helen. I like bright. I like concise. And this song and its arrangement play perfectly into her vocal wheelhouse. All of her vocal tics (clipped phrasing, strange Australian twang, odd piercing nasal quality), which have derailed many a performance, seem right at home here. And while I don't think it has the dramatic build of the other two versions (I mean, come on, Bette's is cinematic in scope), Helen's is the one I would pick if I was choosing a version to release as a single. 

There. I've had my say. Now it's your turn. Tell me...

Who did it better? 

Leave your choice and thoughts in the comments section. I can't wait to hear what you think! 

And, as always... thanks for reading!