Who Did It Better? How Do I Live

Who Did It Better? How Do I Live

Given that this is a juicy week... here's a nice juicy story.  Some of you may remember this, but I thought it bore repeating. 

Today's edition of Who Did it Better? takes a look at one of the strangest chapters in pop music history: the release of the Diane Warren-penned, Con-Air theme song, How Do I Live. 

These recordings? Released on the same day! May 27, 1997. 

How did it happen? 

Well, Diane Warren gave the song to Leann Rimes and the producers of Con Air were going to use it as the movie's theme song, to be played during the final scene. However, at the last minute, the producers grew uncomfortable with the song being sung by a 14 year-old girl. So, they turned to Trisha Yearwood, who had no idea that Rimes had already recorded the song. She, of course, agreed to sing it. To make matters worse, the producers sort of forgot to tell Rimes and her management team that her version was not going to be used for the film. Rimes had a video already in the can and was all set to release the song.

So she did. 

Trisha Yearwood:

“The Nashville rule is, if somebody has a song on hold, you don’t record it. There’s this kind of gentlemen’s agreement that if somebody has it, you don’t mess with it,  But in this case I didn’t think she had any kind of permission (from the film’s producer’s, Touchstone Pictures) to do that, so I wasn’t worried about it. Then I’m in Europe and I start to hear that (the Rimes version) has been released to radio. Then our version comes out, and it’s like it becomes this big battle between record labels.”

Both versions came out on the same day, and to make matters worse, radio stations began holding call-in contests where they play the versions back-to-back and asked callers to say which one they preferred. 

But wait... it gets even stranger. 

Both versions of the song were nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. And... in some weird Twilight Zone kind of twist - Rimes performed the song on the Grammy Awards broadcast right before they announced the winner which... was Yearwood!

Gob-smacked!

Sales? Yearwood's version peaked at #23 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs. Rimes' version peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 and #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart, staying on the charts for 69 weeks, thus earning it a place as one of the best-selling singles of all time (12th most successful song of the 1990's). 

Were this to happen today? Oh, there would be so much twittering, face-booking, tik-tok-ing, and insta-gramming with a full-blown diva throw-down happening for all to see.

But back then? These two ladies took the high road. Yes, Rimes admits her feelings were hurt, but her anger was focused on the way people in the music industry handled the whole affair. In the press, both performers kept it professional, acknowledging the gifts of the other; class acts all the way.

But back to the deed at hand...

The Song: How Do I Live, written by Diane Warren. The song was included in the film, Con Air, and was nominated for a Grammy and an Academy Award.

The Competitors: Rimes vs. Yearwood

Let's dive in, ears-first, shall we?

How Do I Live - Leann Rimes

How Do I Live - Trisha Yearwood

I must confess, I don't remember which version I listened to at the time, nor do I remember having a preference. I liked the song. It was well-crafted and, at the time, anything Diane Warren put to paper was almost guaranteed to be a hit. Her songs were everywhere - MTV, movies, radio. 

So, here are my thoughts:

Rimes: The arrangement feels sleight and tinny, as if the treble was notched too high. She comes on strong from note one and remains consistent throughout. The fact that she goes all airy and feathery on the high note before break is a nice respite from her overall attack. And attack is an apt word, here. Keep in mind, she's 14, so, I have to give her a break - subtlety is something a singer grows into. Here? She's basically painting with primary colors only.  The guitar solo feels pretty rote, stiff and lacks intrigue. Everything is popping on the surface, as if dynamics are something taught in a more advanced class. I don't like the drums - they sound like trash can lids. Whoever produced this took a very simpleminded approach to this song. 

Now... I heart Leann. I still buy her singles. She is a much better singer these days and has navigated a lot of life since this song came out. She has a powerful voice, but her vocals on this recording are hooded with that Patsy Cline thing she does, which works on something like Blue, but not here. Throughout the song, she's pushing hard, yielding a very pointed vocal sound. 

Yearwood: I like this tempo much better. Lovely vocals; warm, lived-in, intimate, and she never over-sings. The arrangement is a little thick and feels like it drags things down. The production values sound like Bonnie Raitt, 1989 - which is never a bad thing, but sounds a bit hollow, lifeless and overwhelming at times. I do like the strings and the way the percussion helps punch up the chorus. And, of course, I am always a sucker for a sax solo - the uglier the better. This one is in yacht rock supreme mode. Overall... Yearwood's a better fit; more comfortable, more relaxed. I believe and want to hear the story this singer has to tell me. 

The Winner: Is there one? Obviously, the 2020 me gravitates toward Yearwood's take. The song? It's not as good as I remember. But in Yearwood's hands, it is a nice, if somewhat bloated piece of adult contemporary pop. I am not sure that 1997 me would agree, but then, if I remember right, he'd just moved back to Minnesota after living in L.A., just in time to face a truly brutal winter. 

So, his judgement? Meh.

I do declare Trisha Yearwood the winner. 

Leann Rimes would go on to mature into a much more interesting singer. This song? It simply happened too early in her career. 

Well, that's my two-cents worth (which is about what it is, indeed, worth). 

And now the important part: What do YOU think?

Let me know your preference in the comments section. I always value the opinion of another and love to learn a new perspective. What do you hear? 

That's all for today...

Hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy.

Thanks for reading. 

How Do I Live (Mr. Mig Dance Remix) - Leann Rimes