Frankie Valli vs. Lauryn Hill | Head 2 Head

In the 19th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Frankie Valli and Lauryn Hill contend for the best rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively.  In the 19^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Frankie Valli and Lauryn Hill contend for the best rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Frankie Valli, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”

The Four Seasons Present Frankie Valli Solo // Bob Gaudio & Frankie Valli d/b/a The 4 Seasons Partnership, by arrangement with Warner Special Products //1967 

“At long last love has arrived / And I thank God I’m alive,” Frankie Valli (1934 – ) sings in the first verse of the beloved classic, “Can’t Take My Eyes off You”. He continues, sincerely, “You’re just too good to be true / Can’t take my eyes off you.” “Can’t Take My Eyes off You” is the fifth track from his 1967 album, The Four Seasons Present Frankie Valli Solo (sometimes shortened to Frankie Valli Solo). Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio composed this eye-driven, unforgettable gem. A rousing success, in Valli’s hands, “Can’t Take My Eyes off You” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Notably, the song earned Valli two of his five career Grammy nominations at the 10^th Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best Contemporary Male Solo Vocal Performance and Best Vocal Performance, Male.

There is lots to heart about “Can’t Take My Eyes off You.” The orchestrations – woodwinds, brass, and strings – are beautiful.  The song also thrives from sick accompaniment via bass, drums, and vibraphone. Oh, the vibraphone – one of those popular, vintage sounds that was huge in 1960s music. Beyond a superb music backdrop, Frankie Valli brings it vocally. Initially, he never sounds as if he breaks a sweat, singing with ease and incredible refinement in the verses.  His voice = gorgeous. By the chorus, however, Valli ‘lets ‘er rip!’

“I love you baby, and if it’s quite alright

I need you, baby, to warm the lonely night

I love you, baby, trust in me when I say

Oh, pretty baby, don’t bring me down, I pray

Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay

And let me love you, baby, let me love you.”

Valli’s assertive, grittier, and dynamic vocals during the chorus show how skilled he is as a vocalist.  He brings the tuneful melodies and memorable text to life superbly. “Can’t Take My Eyes off You” is timeless – one of those once-in-a-lifetime songs.  It has been covered a lot – it’s the sugar, honey, iced tea!

2. Lauryn Hill, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – (I Love You Baby)”

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill // Ruffhouse // 1998

“You’re just too good to be true / Can’t take my eyes off of you / You’d be like heaven to touch / I wanna hold you so much.” Grammy-winning R&B/hip-hop superstar Lauryn Hill delivered a surefire classic with “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”.  But, guess what? Frankie Valli (1934 – ) originally recorded it in 1967 on his album, Four Seasons Present Frankie Valli Solo (“Can’t Take My Eyes off You”). Focusing on Hill’s epic cover, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – (I Love You Baby)” is the 15^th and penultimate track on her 1998, historic, Grammy-winning masterpiece, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Notably, it was a hidden track on the album.  It earned the distinction of becoming the first hidden track to receive a Grammy nomination (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 41^st Annual GRAMMY Awards). “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” didn’t impact the pop charts, but it did spend one week on the R&B charts, where it peaked at number 45.  Regardless of its lack of chart success, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” is considered one of Hill’s best songs.

Hill makes “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” her own, period. It sounds starkly different from the original, which has a traditional pop sound and vibe. One reason Hill’s version is distinct is the banging hip-hop soul beat.  That beat easily carries this ‘67 classic to the late ‘90s. Also, the beatboxing is epic too. The sound is modernized, thanks to the production of Ms. Hill! Besides the beat, a sickening bass line, and colorful keys, ‘up the ante.’ Hill captivates with her stunning voice, blessing our ears with that gorgeous tone.  She’s particularly on fire during the chorus. She asserts, expressively:

“I need you, baby, and if it’s quite alright

I need you, baby, to warm a lonely night

I love you, baby, trust in me when I say, ‘It’s okay’.”

Beyond the chorus, Lauryn brings a swagger, solidifying the hip-hop influence (those chill but potent ad-libs).  Ultimately, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Lauryn Hill remains the sugar, honey, iced tea to this day. Oh, Lauryn, why couldn’t you have released another album?!

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

So, which juggernaut wins? Is it the original “Can’t Take My Eyes off You” by Frankie Valli, which ignited the pop charts and earned him two Grammy nominations? Or, is it Lauryn Hill, who made history with “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”, which became the first hidden track to receive a Grammy nomination. In the case of Hill, “Can’t” is part of the reason why The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was certified diamond. No, it didn’t impact the charts like Valli’s version, but it is considered one of her very best songs. Still, Valli earned gold certification for “Can’t Take My Eyes off You,” something Lauryn didn’t earn for her cover.  So, who wins? I feel like I should say Frankie Valli – he’s earned plenty of accolades for this one song. Yet, as a millennial, I grew up with the Lauryn Hill cover, which continues to be on repeat. So, because I’m torn between the two, LeToya Luckett-Coles, this head-to-head is a tie!