Beyoncé vs. Shirley Bassey vs. Céline Dion: The Way We Were

[irina1296]

Shirley is ultimate winner here but all 3 performances are great

[SallyWilliams]

Beyonce is no ballad singer, she doesn't seem to feel the song. Celine is great with ballads and Shirley is definitely the queen of dramatic ballads.

[VocalPowa]

Beyonce.

Technically perfect (as usual), fluid vibrato and cresendos, the only flaw was at 2:37 when she belted the upper chest note of "wheneVAA" with a bit of growl, instead of using her mixed voice--which she probably forgot to do since she sings pop/r&b/soul and not Showtunes/Adult Contemporary. Overall best by far and most true to the original (even Babs seemed very pleased!)

then Shirley, then Celine.

(in Celine's defense she was young at the time and not yet great at English)

[swilda123]

like best shirley's version

[DGLUK1]

What a stupid comparison. Beyoncey's version is as clear as a bell but Bassey 's recording sounds as if sung through a fish tank.

Talk about a fixed vote..........

[Chimier]

@DGLUK1 Hilarious....so musicianship, interpretive ability and vocal skill are all dependent on sound quality. Let's also throw out the fact that Bassey's performance was long before Beyonce's, hence why the quality of her video clip isn't as pristine.

I can't......

[Hanslijosephine]

beyoncé`s fading technique is just amazing. she really has texture in her voice and is able to move a song with it properly. For instance the powerful notes weren`t overpowering like in celine`s version. ALso I`m a sucker for Bey`s vibrato and crescendos xD just loved her rendition, smooth, tender, soft. just like the song should be sang.

[mazsolamusic]

hmm Celine did better than i expected.

[ethaboi1]

Beyonce did ovr do it or try to show off it was perfect and great timing

[ethaboi1]

Beyonce was not I repeat not lip syncing are you serious this was not just any ventit was a very special tribute byonce wouldn't even be aloud to get away with that she has class and bababra is her idol she did the best celene dions vocal ability is far beter but she didn't sound as good beyonce is the qeen sorry

[isingjazz83]

Beyonce is good in her own right, don't get me wrong, but to me out of these three she has the less interesting/unique tone to her voice, you can find girls who sound similar to that in most gospel group or church, BUT STILL, out of this three she gave the best interpretation, this song is not ment to be changed much from the original, and for once showed some restrain

[MiamiChicky]

Is Beyonce lip syncing her version? I'm always pretty sure of when someone is singing live oppose to pre recorded or studio vocals but I'm not sure here..........Oh and I'm not really a fan of these 3 vocally Celine and Beyonce's tone can be whiny at times and Shirley does way too much but out of the 3 I pick Beyonce. She is at her best when she is more reserved. But overall Donna was the best.

[Gvibes123]

Beyonce, Shirley

Celine

[6625Teresa]

Dame Shirley Bassey was the best of them. Celine was a great voice and Beyonce was so so.



[elrynx2]

@KyoHanjin A French version would have been most intriguing! At this time especially, it would have meant better phrasing. And French does do wonderful things for her as a singer...though high belts and the language are an interesting combo I've noticed

[MsArethaforever]

None of these performances were really great, but Beyonce's was the best. Her voice just doesn't have the "iT" factor. Maybe its "soul". Something that can't be taught.

[Luxiusta07]

Nice video. Beyonce did the best work here. Her vpice sounds beautiful. I mainly enjoyed her singing in the soft verses of the song. Shirley's version is not that expressive. I guess that's just me though, it's quite subjective. She was just good. Celine did an honest effort. Not sure she knew what she was singing, but she tried to hold her own. She'd be much better in a French version of this song. There were parts were she lost control but was decent overall. Good video.

[elrynx2]

I love some of the vocal maneuvers this song tempts Shirley to try! I think this song is such a classic; it's beauty shines through no matter the interpretation...although the classic reigns. Speaking of the original version, Beyonce did a wonderful homage..still she sounds so ugly doing the higher parts (not that they weren't produced correctly or technically or without ease).. I think she takes it here.

[BELTERFAN]

Well I don't know. First Beyonce, she's the one who approaches more to the original and later Shirley should really only sing big numbers where she reigns and Celine... too much effort with those woouaououoo.

[TheQueenAretha]

Beyonce- I was so proud of her when i saw this. She has really proven herself. Wonderful.

Nothing else to say.

[KyoHanjin]

Beyonce wins this. This performance COMPLETELY shows her vocal beauty. She is subtle and knows how to build the song. One of my favourite aspects of her singing this song is that she maintains perfect diction, which is a core part of Barbra's singing.

Shirley...was ok. Her voice is big...she has a massive instrument. However...her delivery is very one-note/one style. It's more dramatic that others...but other than that, it's lackluster because she's not good at expressing tenderness.

[KyoHanjin]

@KyoHanjin

Celine's adlibing is off-time (lagging behind). She has the most pitchy moments and the worst diction between these 3 singers. She has a beautiful instrument that I wish was in more capable hands. This shows just how much Barbra is superior despite the somewhat popular view that Celine and Barbra are stylistically similar.

This battle goes to Beyonce.

[elrynx2]

As for Celine!!!! She was so young and didn't even know English at this time. She definitely had the voice, even at this time, to do a magnificent and interesting version...though without the technicality and most possible sophistication. I'm sure if there were later versions done by her...even on these days...it would be AMAZING!!! God, there are so many songs..particularly the classics that I wish she would perform. Her show has a movie soundtrack theme..so there is def. room for Streisand

[KyoHanjin]

@elrynx2

Well...I applaud her for trying to make it a more interesting vocal performance. I think if she sung it in French...it would have been better.

[Chimier]

@KyoHanjin Or...it could have been the same performance, but in French lol

[KyoHanjin]

@Chimier

Lol...I dunno. Her lyrical phrasing would have been better...considering she has more of an understanding of what she's singing.

Always...her French singing turns out better than her English singing.

[Chimier]

@KyoHanjin Her French performances tend to be better because she does far less silly things like overriffing and faux-scatting. But in terms of phrasing, timing, melodic nuance, it's pretty much the same as her English stuff.

[KyoHanjin]

@Chimier

That's what would make the performance better...she wouldn't be trying to overreach for something that she doesn't have lol.

Quand ca balance VS Summertime ;)

[Chimier]

@KyoHanjin Quand ca Balance was good overall, but even in that, her voice was too hard at parts. And there was one part where the scat didn't work.

But yeah, you're right. It's cos she's not trying to reach, but even in French, she doesn't become the great musician her fans think she does. She just becomes more competent.

[Chimier]

@KyoHanjin And for every Quand ca Balance, there's a Brûle pas tes doigts lol

[Chimier]

@KyoHanjin That's exactly how I feel about Shirley.

[donkiddick08]

@KyoHanjin ? if you read through comments on bassey vids, you will find that after 'what a voice', the most oft repeated thing is how moving/emotional bassey's performances are.

[KyoHanjin]

@donkiddick08

@donkiddick08

Shirley Basey can emote...that's for sure. However the weakness in her singing I'm talking about is her lack of being versatile and being able to show a variety of emotions.

But yes...Shirley can bring out passion and wild abandonment better than the other 2.

[kelvinpyaeko]

beyonce, celine and sorry, i don't shirley version

[HUGOM2C]

King B

[EmbracetheButterfly]

Lol at all your enemies disliking the video, Chimier.

[Chimier]

@EmbracetheButterfly LOL it's hilarious! Let 'em :)

[juck03115566]

B E Y O N C E ！ that all。

[agators212]

ok after listening to aretha franklin's version live on guy lombardo's new years eve i think thats the way shirley should have done it. compared to bey and celine she was more melodramatic and the soft music didn't match. i think if she had gone big with the music to match her powerful vocals it would have been better. but then again, aretha is also aretha.

[agators212]

hmmm...nice this will and always will be bab's song. hers is heartfelt powerful but at the same time subtle and understated. it takes a talent like hers to be able to posses both extremes all in one performance and does it nicely.

bey - very nice rendition. remember watching it on tv.

shirley - good as well but like every one else i just didn't connect with it. i thought i was going to like hers more than i did.

celine ver- nice as well with her pop spin.

[ManOfBamboo]

1. Beyonce

2. Shirley

3. Celine

This was around the period where Beyonce REALLY started to pleasantly surprise me (and she still hasn't stopped doing that). People still aren't giving Beyonce her due as a real singer, but that's fine, her vocals speak for themselves.

[WestVoice]

Beyonce :P

[MrButler124]

hey chimey, great video and awesome comparisons to my girl babs song! It's beyonce for me, I just like the control she displayed(even though it sounded like she wanted to throwdown in that song hehe), and it sounds different from babs, meaning her voice is like low comapred babs lyric mezzo voice, I like that contrast. I skipped shirley's because she kinda attacked the song, and celine, well I could barely understand what she was saying and it was boring. time to look at the soul divas now:)

[ArchiducDeBelgrade]

Interesting video and comparison Chim.

I dunno i cant say that anyone impressed me. Beyonce..she maybe be like someone said heir to all of them-I think maybe cause today everybody sucks so.. not because she is that amazing. Shirley I love the power and her mighty alto voice she have even today but her rendition too aggressive. Celine I never bashed Celine, I think that she can produce a beautiful sound when she is not pushing herself,but here, weak-heavy accent for song of american Legend..nope.

[Thorneycroft1937]

Barbra watching Beyonce doing her song? Great. Unfortunately this song was sung were rarely by Shirley and the only videos we have are not good quality (specially poor sound quality).

1. Barbra ( totally her song, will always be her signature tune to me)

2. Shirley

3. Beyonce (i was surprised that it was good, her "Fever" is crap with all the dancers and the show but this performance showcased her natural talent that i was not even aware of).

4. Celine (i do totally dislike her take on this)

[shootforthemoon89]

Chimier, you bitch... why didn't you include Dionne lol.....

she performed it on solid gold, albeit she was in cruise control

pQ8qnpTbLAU



[Chimier]

@shootforthemoon89 I didn't know she did this lol! Sorry!

And don't call me a "bitch", bitch haha! :P

[shootforthemoon89]

Beyonce sang this better through and through compared to the other two. Shirley was BLEH....... Celine did sound nice singing this and I kinda agree with what theblueangel said regarding Celine's voice.

[theblueangel28]

Beyonce-she is the heir to everyone's throne, including Barbra's mastery of the mixed voice

Shirley-is a case of one of the greatest instruments ever in existence, in the hands of someone not as brilliant as it is

Celine-well I simply cant enjoy her voice or singing..however, she is the only one out of all 6 besides Barbra who can sing this and not be boring..as well as Beyonce Aretha and Donna did it, or as talented as Gladys and Shirley are. Barbra are the only one who can really sing this

[KyoHanjin]

@theblueangel28

Your comment on Shirley is SO TRUE! She has a massive sound...great power, but lacks the musical sense to actually use it to make her the singer she should be. Same thing would apply to Patti Labelle ^^.

Love the commenting on Beyonce being the heir to everyone's throne ^^.

[musicguy713]

1) Beyonce- 10/10 perfect!

2) Celine- 8/10 nicee

3)Shirley-6/10 big sound and all but she's just a vocalist for me, i felt nothing from her.

[unbreakablekat]

1) Beyonce(barbs facial say it all,she was pleased)

2) Celine

3) Shirley

[stardusth2o]

So this is why you brought that look Babs' gave on twitter :).

1. Celine (not just because she's my fav)

2. Beyonce (She reminds me so much of Barbra for some reason)

3. Shirley (was amazing, but I just was feeling it).

Great job! Very interesting series.

[ccishot564]

1. Beyonce

2. Line

3. Shirly

[Fattakink]

Beyonce 

[gaylolful]

Great as always Chimier

[applmac2009]

1. Beyoncè- Needs no Explanation

2. Cèline Dion- Very surprisingly, i liked her understated, and simple version.

3. Shirley Bassey- Phenomal singer with lungs of steel, her version, just didn't speak to me.

Great Video

[reignraven]

regine has also version of this song--

i really love this song!

they all great ryt?