
Happy New Year, everybody! Hope 2020 is better than 2019 was for you.
Today we have two lovely R&B singers doing different songs called "Operator." So, without further ado…
Brenda Holloway
Brenda Holloway’s song "Operator" was written by Smokey Robinson and was recorded at pretty much the same time by Mary Wells, who used it as the B side for her single "Two Lovers." Brenda’s version reached #36 on the R&B chart and #78 on the Hot 100 in 1965.
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Gladys Knight’s version of "Operator" came out in 1962, before she was signed by Motown and her career took off. Recorded on the Fury label, it was from her debut album Letter Full of Tears. It only reached #97 on the Hot 100.
In case you’ve forgotten how this works…
- Listen to the two songs.
- Decide which song you like the best.
- Vote for your favorite by leaving me a comment with your choice. If you feel like telling us why, feel free.
- Then, visit the other participants and vote in their Battles:
- Stephen at STMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
- Arlee at Tossing It Out
- Mike at Mike’s Ramblings
- Cathy at Curious As A Cathy
- Mary B at Jingle Jangle Jungle
- Debbie at The Doglady’s Den
- Cherdo at Cherdo On The Flipside
I’ll tally the votes next Wednesday, January 8 and announce the winner then, so be sure and vote before then. And remember, everyone is welcome to participate, no purchase necessary.
The lines are now open. Good luck to Brenda and Gladys!
Happy New Year John! As much as I love and adore Gladys (and she is a legend), my vote goes to Brenda Holloway. I like her alto voice on the song!
-aisasami
https://ailovemusic.net/celebrate-a-new-year-with-this-interesting-battle-of-the-songs-2/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh come on! Its Gladys Knight for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
John,
I thought I’d go with Gladys but it turns out I prefer BRENDA HOLLOWAY. Her vocals were sweeter sounding and her arrangement just appealed to my ears better, too. Again, happy new year to you, my friend. Let’s rock 2020!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brenda gets my vote, the vocals were better
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like the others, my preference is for Jim Croce. But, as he is not listed as a contender and I do not wish to commit a cardinal sin for casting my vote for him, I am voting for Brenda Holloway as she was the more pleasing to my ears.
LikeLiked by 1 person
JOHN ~
Did you announce the winner of your last BOTB contest in December? If so, I guess I missed it somehow. (Well, it was a crazy-busy December for me, and I didn’t know if I was coming or going most of the time.)
Yeah, I’m with Lee on this one: I’m voting for Jim Croce. (Although, if I felt “smooth” right now, I’d possibly vote for Sade’s operator.)
Alright, alright… I like Gladys Knight & The Pips quite a bit, but I definitely preferred BRENDA HOLLOWAY’s ‘Operator’. Better song with a great early ’60s vibe.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
LikeLike
I announced it in my January 22 “Week That Was” post. Turns out it was a three-way tie, which, given the songs, was the only way it could have gone. I was hoping for just one more vote to see if I could get a winner, but, alas, couldn’t cajole any other readers into it.
LikeLike
Happy New Year! A new year and it will go by like a flash but today it is all about the BOTB and I have to go with Brenda who gave more depth to the song.
LikeLike
These are a couple of blasts from the past. Personally, I’d rather listen to Jim Croce’s “Operator”, but since I’m not given that choice I’m going to go with –hmmm, decisions–I’ll go with Brenda Holloway’s song since it seemed more lyrically interesting to me.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
LikeLike
Oh, my! I like them both! Gotta give my vote to Gladys.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gladys gets my vote.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As much as I live Gladys Knight I am going Brenda Holloway..I have not heard of her before 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person