Who Did It Better? If You Ask Me To

Who Did It Better?

If You Ask Me To

 

Today's little contest couldn't be simpler or sweeter. Two divas, one song. 

If You Asked Me To is a song written by Diane Warren and handed to Patti LaBelle. It first appeared as part of the soundtrack for the James Bond film, License to Kill and was also included on her 1989 Be Yourself album. Released as a single on June 12, 1989, it was accompanied by a somber video filmed the day after LaBelle had attended the funeral of her sister Jacqueline "Jackie" Padgett, who died at the age of 43 (all three of LaBelle's sisters would die before the age of 44.)

In addition, the song got a bit of a shot in the arm thanks to it being played on the ever-popular daytime soap, General Hospital. But it wasn't enough to make it the huge hit hoped for: LaBelle's version would peak at number #79 on Billboard's Hot 100, #10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and #11 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.  

Fast forward to 1992, up and coming diva Celine Dion set her eyes on the prize. Included on her second English language album, the song served as it's second single. Released on April 13, 1992, it did well in both the Canadian and US markets. In the US, it managed to snag the #4 spot on the Hot 100, while going all the way to #1 on the AC chart. It proved even more successful in Dion's native Canada, taking the top spot on both their Top Singles and AC charts. However, success elsewhere proved elusive. Australia (#52), New Zealand (#26) and the Netherlands (#28) remained rather cool toward the song. And in the UK, despite the song being released on two separate occasions, it never climbed higher than #57. 

Years later, LaBelle, as part of an interview for a greatest hits package, was asked about the Dion version. Diva took the high road, saying: "I knew the song was a hit when I recorded it, and I was happy that Celine did it and did so well with it. But the arrangements are so close and we both have pretty powerful voices...so who knows why my version didn't take off. Maybe it was timing?"

And that's the whole story.

Now? On to the competition!

The Song: If You Asked Me To

The Competition: LaBelle vs. Dion

If You Asked Me To - Patti LaBelle

If You Asked Me to - Celine Dion

Patti LaBelle

Those opening synths sure show their age; all icy and stiff, lacking depth or any bottom end. I adore Patti's little girl voice. That very metered, regimented delivery pricks up my ears. Interesting use of dynamics and phrasing can be found throughout. It's all about building expectations. The value of anticipation in a pop song? Under-utilized. 

When the chorus kicks in? It doesn't. That's where the bottom needed to come in. Instead, we are skating on that same icy surface. No quibbles with the vocals. The backing vocals and LaBelle are keeping a firm lid on things. LaBelle even plays it a bit sly ("forever-er.") That clock-on-the-wall rhythm tap was so standard at the time. 

Nice little guitar fill with the rhythm section now fully-engaged. Rather surprised how tepid the bass is - was that a thing? Did the late 80's, early 90's fear bass?  So, LaBelle is more full-throated and adult now. My one quibble? She has a tendency to drop words in her lower register - just when the listener needs to have a word articulated in order to understand the lyric. Part of the fault lies with the key, but this is also a very LaBelle trait. 

Love what she does with "home." Adore her tommy gun delivery "never let nobody get to close to me." It sets it all up. Lady is ready to launch. 

Only she doesn't. Lid is still on. The word "free?" Weakest delivery in the whole damn piece. The second chorus sets sail on the same calm waters. Yes, she brings a bit more determination to her vocals, but where's the grit? The pop? I don't know why they allowed her to do that to the word "heart." That is... so weird. Hoowrt? I dunno - like how a moose would pronounce it. 

So she waits until the bridge to pull out all the stops. That's kind of a traditional thing to do. I have a feeling, had she brought the fireworks a bit more on the second chorus? We might have made headway on the airwaves. Oh, but this bridge. The grit is there, the growl, she's got it all going. Gives me chills every damn time. And that sustained note? That is not manufactured in the studio... oh, no. This lady could do that without breaking a sweat. "All you gotta do is ask me to..." So coquettish. Perfection. 

And nobody fills a playout like Patti. Man. She just rips this up. "I'll do anything you want me to..." always makes me tear up. 

Those backing vocals. Just sweetly gorgeous. 

Good luck, Celine. You gonna need it.

Celine Dion

Same icy opening, maybe punched up a bit, but not much. Celine enter with like she has a mouth full of melodic mud. But by that third line her voice flutters like a bird waking. It also hints at just how piercing her vocals can become. Still, there's a sense of pleading in her voice which works well. She does a nice job of reigning it in. I like how she plays with the syncopation and then envelops under just before introducing the chorus. It's like folding a rich chocolate mousse. 

I don't like the backing vocals on the launch of chorus. They are not 'one', but sound fractured. And Celine immediately brings a bit of spark to the proceedings with those bright pops of color in her vocals breaking the icy surface. Really dislike those 'adult' female backing vocals - all vibrato. And Celine keeps slipping in this hooded sound she does with her voice which has always irked me. 

Beh-beh-beh-beh-beh-babe? Really.

Strange wrasslin' happening there with words at the start of the second verse. That said, I have always rather gotten a kick out of Dion's take on the English language. There's something about it I enjoy. The same thing happens when I listen to early ABBA. It's like hearing the language anew. 

Celine is amping up, but running the same slick coat of latex over everything. I really miss the syncopation. 

Still, her vocals have a nice pop appeal. And they wisely put those backing vocals in the backseat, allowing Dion to drive the second chorus. The bridge is dramatic, but all of one color, moving steadfastly forward. I do take issue with her over reliance of exchanging 'e' vowels sounds for 'a' vowel sounds. "Bay-bayyyyyyy." Meh. Too flat and broad a sound.

I will give Dion this... when she reaches low for "all you got to do is ask me..." - I adore it. I think because it's a different sound, an alternative color.  And Dion really does bring a lot to the playout. Digging in and working it.  

The Verdict

Patti owns this thing. Period. Don't even try to argue with me.

She got robbed. Ageism and racism played key roles as to why her version was not a bigger hit. Granted, that video is a bit much, but there is no way this song belongs to anyone else.  All the nuance she invested in every phrase? It's masterful. 

Both women have very distinct vocal styles, so I guess it comes down to which you tolerate best. Me? I love some old-fashioned, R&B-influenced vocals. The stuff LaBelle is using to create her version harks all the way back to her girl group days. And when she unleashes? 

That's the real deal, son.

--- ---

Okay, that's my two cents worth.

Your turn, kids. Let me know what you're thinking. Which side you wanna stand on? LaBelle or Dion?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section. I love a differing opinion.

That's all for now. 

Until next time... and there will be a next time - I have a list of over 50 songs to cover yet. 

Until then...

Thanks for reading... and listening. 

If You Asked Me To - Patti LaBelle

If You Asked Me To - Celine Dion