This thread is following suit of the "I'll Be There" challenge featuring the J5 and Mariah Carey. This battle features some legends.


1971- Jackson 5
1971- Isaac Hayes
1972- James Brown
1974- Gloria Gaynor

Ooh... this is a tough one. All four of them did it in their own special way. The J5 did it with poetry, Isaac did it hot, buttery and soulful (pun intended), James made it funky in a slow cut, and Gloria took the song to discos and it made sense to do so.

Hmm... I could say Isaac or Gloria but I'm feeling J5 more so again the Jackson brothers for me.

Timmy84 said:

GREAT response! I'm going with the J5 version because it's the reason I started to learn to play the flute.

i love the j5 version better , it was great on motown 25 ( he did not mime there did he ) he only mime billy jean right

motownlover said:

I have to go with the Jackson 5 again. "Never Can Say Goodbye" just sounded so much better coming from Little Michael Jackson.

One could argue that this could be due to the fact that I was a little kid myself when I first heard the songs so I related better to the J5 interpretation but I doubt it...as a grown woman I still prefer that version over the others.

SexyBeautifulOne said:

What about "Got To Be There"? Do you prefer the little Michael's or Chaka Khan's version.

whatsgoingon said:

Little Michael's!

I haven't heard James or Issac's versions yet. But J5's rendition all the way. I hate Gloria Gaynor's version

bboy87 said:

Here is Isaac Hayes' version, Can't find James' on youtube. Probably cause his wasn't a single. The J5's, Issac and Gloria's were all hits. J5 at 2 Pop, Isaac at 22 Pop and Gloria at number 1, I believe.


Isaac Hayes: Never Can Say Goodbye
http://youtube.com/watch?v=P-yKMgG-DRw

OBVIOUSLY JACKSON FIVE... all the others are either too disco... or boring... when you listen to the jackson five... there songs just give you a certain feeling.. indescribable

TotalAlisa said:

Come on sexy, have you even heard the other versions? only Gloria's is disco.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

i stand by what i say.. the other ones are boring... or disco... and the Jacksons song gives me this feeling... and there song is the best....

I vote for the J5 and Gloria Gaynor. The original version is a masterpiece, but there's something about the way Gloria massages the lyrics and the hypnotic beat that I just can't resist.

Wheres the Communards option at?

I prefer Sheena Easton's 2001 version of the song from her CD - FABULOUS. It's the 21st century spin on the classic song.

Thank's SpecialEd for the reminder, my vote Communards.

This is a great song all around and I like Gloria's and Isaac's alot.

The reason I prefer Jackson 5's

can be heard

54 seconds into this link:

http://www.youtube.com/wa...y_w-Ff-m_8

:goosebumps:

Cinnie said:

Agreed.

Based from all these covers I’ve heard versions form The Jackson 5, James Brown, Gloria Gaynor, Communards, Isacc, Yazz and Vanessa Williams/Benson. But obviously I’m going to say the original of the Jackson 5 is the best.

Never Can Say Goodbye covers:

Herbie Mann
Andy Williams
Reuben Wilson
Peter Nero
James Brown
Communards
Günther Neefs
Livingston Taylor
Bob Baldwin
Gloria Gaynor
Sheena Easton
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Johnny Mathis
Petra Magoni & Ferruccio Spinetti
The Temptations
Yazz
Cal Tjader
The Sandpipers
Isaac Hayes
Ray Conniff
Vanessa Williams & George Benson


bet Clifton got a bit of $ for the song

kash said:

I've heard those ones too.

kash said:

What, no Josie & The Pussycats?


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

Wow! How many people have covered it!?! I bet you Clifton is still getting MILLIONS every time it's played/covered!

I love the Jackson Five version. I love little Michael's vocals, and even adult Michael's vocals (Motown 25) for this song.

Cinnie said:

Michael. Even though @ 1:21 into

Cinnie said:

he says "...never can say good-my girl..."
So funny.

My favorite version, from the Flip Wilson Show.

My vote goes to Clifton Davis and Melba Moore. It was the theme song on that summer variety show they had in the VERY long ago. I guess it was never recorded. There's just something about hearing the person who wrote a song sing it. I think the J5 may have recorded it right after that.

J5.

As much for the instrumental as the vocals.
Adore the swirling flutes!
Bass line is magic! (Jamerson?)

_

J5, no question I didn't even know JB had a version, I'd love to hear it