Who Did It Better? - Stevie Wonder vs. Ray Charles (1973/1975)

Рет қаралды 47,253

Жыл бұрын

As always please listen to both renditions then share your thoughts in the comments section.
“Living for the City" is a 1973 single by Stevie Wonder from his Innervisions album. It reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 on the R&B chart.[3]: 635 Rolling Stone ranked the song number 104 on their 2004 list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
The song has won two Grammy Awards: one at the 1974 Grammy Awards for Best Rhythm & Blues Song, and the second for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 1975 Grammy Awards for Ray Charles' recording on his album Renaissance. - Wikipedia
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Пікірлер: 203

@Riogi Жыл бұрын

Stevie's version has more of a funk-style to it while Ray's version has a bluesy tonet. Both men are legends of music. I choose both versions of this amazing song.

@ronaldmartinsr4433 Жыл бұрын

I CONCUR, YOU ARE CORRECT, I AM A FORMER RETIRED RADIO R&B DJ WVOL NASHVILLE, TN.

@Polygroove1 Жыл бұрын

This shows you how Ray makes a song his own….don’t forget that Stevie was “Little Stevie” he did a WHOLE album of Ray Charles covers as the Heir Apparent….this makes total sense….imagine your Idol covers your song….that’s a dream come true….

@defconfour Жыл бұрын

I rock with Stevie heavy, but wow I never heard the Ray version before tonight! What a gift both of these gentlemen gave us.

@hornet718 Жыл бұрын

It is obvious that it is a tie. Two geniuses in their field did this song justice in their own right. All we can do is enjoy both with a smile, snap of the fingers and head bobbing to the music. I was floored when they both performed this song together live. It was FANTASTIC!!!

@I2AmUS Жыл бұрын

Both are equally legends in their talent and mass appeal. The delivery/style of the song by each artist is very different (R&B vs Bluesy grit) I vote for both!

@tula_tracey Жыл бұрын

Both equally did it great in their own storytelling style ! Both legends.

@Prettybirdpink Жыл бұрын

💜👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💜

@madameshuggadrosenbloom1111 Жыл бұрын

I truly enjoyed both. Neither one is better than the other. Each has it own groove that relays the same message. Thanks for sharing these legendary versions.

@jamiAkos Жыл бұрын

I like both BUT Stevie killed it. I mean felt every bit of it and the storytelling of going to a big city from a small town and getting caught up... Chefs kiss 💋

@Iyona96 3 ай бұрын

Stevie & Ray…This is two different eras damn near but let’s not compare this is two great ARTIST that just so happen to be blind ❤️

@eramorgan7375 Жыл бұрын

Mr. Charles did an awesome job. Very bluesy. I can't choose between the two. They're both excellent

@chillmode3626 Жыл бұрын

Both. Love both versions.

@TheRealNemesisX Жыл бұрын

Can't choose, thankfully I don't have to, it's all good and it's all my people. Bless.

@clicheguevara5282 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely Stevie. No question. As far as covers go though, Ray did a great job! Growing up, my dad always told me that if I'm going to cover a song, I should make it my own instead of just copying it accurately note for note. Ray definitely did that here.

@albertpellicano3358 3 ай бұрын

1:22 1:25

@mgmassey174 Жыл бұрын

Never got to see Stevie live but in 1978, two horn players in Ray Charesl band came to place of my employment Waited on them and my tip was a free ticket at Tipitinas. What a show. 💯🌹❤️ Arggggg Ray Charles show.. My mind is like swiss cheese 😊😉 Forgive me I inhaled in the seventies 😉😊💯

@boxcomix1 Жыл бұрын

Funny that I was re-watching an episode of HBO's "Treme" and there was a performance at Tipitinas! Great memory you shared, thanks. New Orleans is a very special place!

@mgmassey174 Жыл бұрын

@@boxcomix1 even on this unnatural substitute for real life, irony and coincidence still illuminates our road. Miss community as I felt so welcome in New Orleans. It was a great experience. Best six months running away from my mother's house. Always wanted to go back to reciprocate for their kindness. Katrina just broke my heart (again). Must get Treme.. You just reminded me that it was on my list of stuff worth seeing! Thank you Joe. I'm Mo💯🌹😊

@k.stewart3626 Жыл бұрын

Wow Never heard Mr Ray Charles Both are Great. Stevie is the genre of the time in musicality. Ray’s is sho nuff blues both hit different ❤️

@fantistic1 9 ай бұрын

It is obvious that it is a tie. Two geniuses in their field did this song justice in their own right!!!!!!!!!

@phillyphil4297 9 ай бұрын

Whoever mixed the ray Charles song is a fkn legend perfect eqs perfect reverb perfect compression panning with all the instruments are perfect

@eatplaydecorate Жыл бұрын

What can I say?? I've listened to this by Stevie many times but, I have to say that Ray's voice made the lyrics clearer. It definitely depends on the mood you're in whether it's for the music or the lyrics. I'm playing this for my aunt later she'll get a kick out of this one. Thanks for the upload Mike

@MickyTubbs1985 Жыл бұрын

ABSOLUTELY!👏😐

@denise3885 Жыл бұрын

Genius vs. Genius.

@tawniamalone6792 Жыл бұрын

I prefer Ray Charles personally but they are both legends and both are appealing.

@TodaysSpecialMinis Жыл бұрын

OH WOW!! I have never heard the Ray Charles version - wow..... before I even listened I predicted I would love Stevie's version, but man - I absolutely LOVE Ray's version the best. Stevie's version is like that of a youthful boy in the city - it's vibrant, funky, hopeful, and full of the kind of angst that is typical of a young person who believes they're making a statement and railing against the machine. Ray's version actually sounds like the city he's singing about - it's dark, it's gritty, it's manly, it's seasoned - this is the sound of a man who's been through some thangs - he's not railing against the machine, he's calling the machine out, indicting it, standing man-to-man with it and daring it to change him before he changes it! Yes, ray won this one - hands down.

@memonk11 Жыл бұрын

Wow this is tough. Love them both.

@judyjohnson2357 Жыл бұрын

No compareson they both were asome

@linkslinks7965 Жыл бұрын

Both are wonderful

@Dina_Darling Жыл бұрын

The man who wrote it. Stevie Wonder.

@frankiedenisestevenson7076 Жыл бұрын

Ray Charles 💯💯💯💯💯

@michelleanthony1591 Жыл бұрын

Both are very great at what they do, …. But Steve Wonder singing and the beat is awesome.

@anonymousprofessor8866 Жыл бұрын

Stevie's version made my eyes watery when I first heard it and it has harmonizing breaks that are beyond incredible if you understand music composition. A true masterpiece of musical art.

@UncommonWoman1611 Жыл бұрын

BOTH ARE EQUAL IN THEIR OWN FUNK!!! 🎶🎶🎶 🙇🏾‍♀️🙇🏾‍♀️🙇🏾‍♀️💝💝💝🕊🕊🕊

@teemadarif8243 Жыл бұрын

my elders would clobber me but have to say Stevie. that's all I know 💯

@leeleecorbett8421 Жыл бұрын

STEVIE SOUNDS BETTER ! HE IS THE BEST 👌 👍 😍 🥰 ☺️ 💖 👌! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH! ALL HIS IS A BLESSING TO HEAR !

@leeleecorbett8421 Жыл бұрын

BOTH MEN HAVE REALLY GOOD TALENT GOD BLESS THE BLIND! LOVE LEE LEE!

@TRUSTME183 Жыл бұрын

Stevie Wonder 💯%

@thomashammond16 Жыл бұрын

Never heard Ray's version but it 's good. Wouldn't expect any less.

@1AsianLatinaGirl Жыл бұрын

I love Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles but I prefer Stevie's version.

@afrosoul_soul Жыл бұрын

Hey Mike returns back tomorrow Nov 4

@hollywooodswanginproductio7014 Жыл бұрын

BOTH

@missadug 16 күн бұрын

I like both versions! It's a tie for me. They have their own styles but I liked them equally.

@poziloc Жыл бұрын

I never knew that Ray did a version of this song, but Stevie still killed it.

@denisefields7233 Жыл бұрын

I've always enjoyed the song and I've always enjoyed it by Stevie so when it comes to Stevie or Ray Charles I'm sorry , definitely Stevie Wonder thank you..❤️🎶.

@voyer44 Жыл бұрын

Stevie all day!!!

@afrosoul_soul Жыл бұрын

Hey Fam Mike returns back tomorrow Nov4

@voyer44 Жыл бұрын

@@afrosoul_soul hello. Miss you

@deedeejackson8244 2 ай бұрын

I love them both. They are different.

@tiefia3799 Жыл бұрын

Stevie

@CamsHideOut 11 ай бұрын

I always gravitate to the blues what can I say I’m a soul man.

@modestochilingar5887 10 ай бұрын

There’s no comparison they’re both perfect

@ramsesstafford4640 Жыл бұрын

Of course the original is the better one but Brother Ray is a hero of Stevie's and also one of my all-time favorites. I'm a HUGE fan of blind musicians because of their intuition to make great music. Rahsaan Roland Kirk is another great blind genius musician. 👌🏽

@skepchica 10 ай бұрын

There's a live version where they performed this together. It's HEAVEN. Ray's phrasing is genuis, and Stevie's voice is unmatched. This is my favorite Stevie Wonder song.

@nickcupkovic5721 5 ай бұрын

Met them both and love them both God bless forever

@nickcupkovic5721 5 ай бұрын

How many blind men knew they were black?

@asteverino8569 Жыл бұрын

These recordings are precious, first of all. I had forgotten about the "extended " version of Stevies version. Teach me, man. Ray is the bae too. At the time, I listened but didn't hear. Thanks

@georgetellin3533 8 ай бұрын

Ray won this I love his version so much wow 🤩

@emmanuelseequeh6054 Жыл бұрын

Love them both but Ray Charles is a King of music

@Orpilorp Жыл бұрын

Hi! That was a treat! I didn't know Ray Charles sang the song. I think I slightly prefer his, but there is nothing wrong with Stevie's version. They are both great to listen to.

@_PAIGE94 Жыл бұрын

A huge fan of both 🙌🏾

@bamthompkins8268 Жыл бұрын

Back then they werent suing either just having fun with they music. It was the love of music not the penny

@altongaitherii3144 Жыл бұрын

A truly awesome song. 2 magnificent artists. Love them both. You can definitely hear the difference in available technology in both songs. That is, in my opinion, the only difference. With what was available both did an extremely magnificent performance. I wouldn't change a thing!

@geneayala5885 5 ай бұрын

Stevie ... The Genius Is A Legend

@alg1335 9 ай бұрын

First time i hear RC… Steve Wonder hands down!!!

@davidgranderson5435 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely Stevie!!!

@nicklong36 9 ай бұрын

It's hard to tell because they both have different styles of singing. They both are at Legends in my eyes. I can't figure out which one is the best.

@Roestradd Жыл бұрын

Ain't no way I'm dropping one for the other... not in a month of Sundays. I've grown accustomed to Stevie's version over the years and thank you Reelblack, I'm only just hearing Ray's one now and I love it so much I can't vote against it. Both for me 🙌🏾

@Karma-iz4ir Жыл бұрын

Ray. Though I never knew he has a version.

@theenemyspublic681 Жыл бұрын

Stevie All Day!! Ray Charles did a very good version though. I can listen to both versions at any time.

@rodneyjohnson201 10 ай бұрын

I love it I love the way Ray Charles put it down his voice the music who's better. That's a question that's an answer I don't. But I love the way and my first time hearing Ray Charles singing that song it was beautiful. If I can I give this 2 thumbs up? Keep up the good work.

@TheTiger2311 Жыл бұрын

I can’t close they both are good!😀

@antonioangelocento9855 10 ай бұрын

Stevie is the greatest of all time !!!!

@adibsabir 8 ай бұрын

Mr.Charles put that blues in there!

@garyjohnson691 Жыл бұрын

I enjoy both versions but I'm riding with Stevie on this one.

@denienec123 Жыл бұрын

Stevie, all day!

@richardwright829 Жыл бұрын

No contest Stevie Wonder keep it 💯

@bertinchamago7425 Жыл бұрын

new jack city vs tupac resurection that is where i know this hit from

@favorllmaccessories2205 Жыл бұрын

Both are Legends

@elizabethr8174 Жыл бұрын

Both are amazing artists, but I definitely have to go with Stevie-a total WONDER 🎶

@eosoccer 8 ай бұрын

I hold both artists in highest regard and I quite enjoy Stevie's version, but Mr. Charles is just on a whole other level. It may be the difference in the artists' style, but to me, there is just something more personal about Ray Charles' style.

@TheRobertEllismusic 11 ай бұрын

Stevie definitely has a sophisticated mix and an extremely...danceable appeal......Mr. Charles' version has a close to the bone and deep passion...and it's palpable with its powerful vocal authority and clarity.....and also filled with a rawness and realness...that projects his profoundly human experience and also affects the listener with those emotions..... intertwining deep sorrow and deep jo.....y all in a transcendental mix....of ecstatic music. Both brilliant.

@rljones312 2 ай бұрын

This is simply a matter of whether or not you want your chicken grilled or fried. Both are delicious. My favorite entertainer is Stevie but I am a HUGE Ray Charles fan, so this means I'll never be disappointed.

@dediva6154 Жыл бұрын

It's Stevie he did his thang

@silhouetteimage3976 Ай бұрын

Goat vs Goat= Greatness!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎹🎤

@normabracey9655 Жыл бұрын

They both told the story.

@MickyTubbs1985 Жыл бұрын

Both men in their own unique way ADDRESS " The BLACK DIASPORA" and ARE ESPECIALLY, EXTREMELY, EXCEEDINGLY ,EXCEPTIONALLY PROFOUND ! However, " judgement-wise;" as to which is " better; to me it's " DRAW." My personal preference" is for Stevie Wonder's version as it DEFINITELY and DEEPLY makes CONNECTIONS TO MY MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, CULTURAL HISTORY,AND POLITICAL AGENDAS AND INNERMOST FEELINGS, THOUGHTS, AND BELIEFS!😐

@nothingelse9602 7 ай бұрын

Mr. Wonder's version is nothing short than a masterpiece. Stevie,I bow down to you on this one.

@purplemacgotti2423 10 ай бұрын

Both are talented in their own way

@redwonderstgenius1 Жыл бұрын

STEVIE STEVIE !!!!!

@afrosoul_soul Жыл бұрын

Ray version is good 👍🏾 But I prefer Stevie

@anitamooreland-simms3606 Жыл бұрын

Why even compare them to put one over the other? That's sad. They both were phenomenal.

@samuelbenbow5774 2 ай бұрын

This sound good an I love old school music when it was worth a piss like I told an rnb singer love when it was good

@bemusedobserver6476 Жыл бұрын

Both are legendary -Stevie Wonder...the original is better!

@davidbryden7904 Жыл бұрын

Tough call! They both have their own style and merits. Ima have to get back to ya on that! 🤷‍♂️✌️💚🌲🌏☮️

@cindeed4422 Жыл бұрын

Both are good. Ray Charles did a wonderful job as well. Never heard it before. But the song belongs to Stevie.

@tweston315 8 ай бұрын

Sreviw had us jamming in the club and RY took us to church 🎉❤❤

@andyharmon9329 Жыл бұрын

This is a truly amazing video ! Both are genius, but I have to say that Ray's hit me harder. The song itself is genius.

@dxlbest 4 ай бұрын

Yes

@sanzrich9887 Жыл бұрын

Did what better?

@katrinaroundtree4170 Жыл бұрын

Ray!💜

@user-ki1vd3ti8j 2 ай бұрын

Stevie!

@redskywalker3374 Жыл бұрын

I saw RC in concert , at the fair a little over 2o yrs ago .. it was Ray Charles is what it was like .

@xzcape 10 ай бұрын

Holy cramp. Love them both

@candacewebb120 10 ай бұрын

What can you say 💞💞 amazing OMG 💞

@darrellmfume4020 Жыл бұрын

until this moment, I didn't know Ray covered this Stevie Classic. Ray's version, the Arrangements are good, the Arranger helped to make this better, and give it Ray's style. but I have to go with Stevie. if people only knew about Music Arrangers and what they do to help make a Record/songs great and become Big Hits. the most overlooked and the most underpaid people in the history of the Music Business/Music Arrangers.