Betty Harris vs. Elvis Costello | Head 2 Head

In the 18^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Betty Harris and Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint contend for the best rendition of “Nearer to 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 18^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Betty Harris and Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint contend for the best rendition of “Nearer to You”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Betty Harris, “Nearer to You”

Soul Perfection // Sansu / 43 North Broadway, LLC // 1969 

“I may do things you don’t understand.” Oh, really, Betty Harris (1939 – )? The southern soul singer continues singing in the first verse of “Nearer to You”, “But remember, I’m only doing the best I can.” Word.  “Nearer to You” is the seventh track on her 1969 album, Soul Perfection. The legendary Allen Toussaint (1938 – 2015) composed it. Toussaint also produced it, alongside Marshall Sehorn.

“Nearer to You” oozes with soul – that southern soul, to be precise! Set in compound duple meter, the lilt is real! Betty Harris ‘brings it’ with her robust, gospel-infused vocals.  There is no shortage of confidence as Harris belts it out.  “I’m sorry if I seem, ooh, yeah, a little bit stubborn sometimes / I hope I’m not being a nuisance to you,” Harris sings in the second verse, continuing, “I know you said that you’d be home soon / I got to be nearer, nearer to you / Yeah.” Harris gets awesome support from background vocals.  The section to beat is the chorus.  “Everything I do, I’m just trying to get closer to you,” Betty sings, concluding, “I got to be nearer, nearer to you.” Beyond the vocals and memorable songwriting, marvelous orchestration and production go a long, long way.  Highlighted within the backdrop are piano, organ, and horns, namely the cutting baritone saxophone.  I love the punch that the drums play with (and how loudly they are mixed). Arguably, the organ has the best part.  The solo is playful with some sick riffs.  Of course, the fellow keyboard instrument, the piano, provides awesome accompaniment.  Ultimately, Betty Harris ‘tears it up’ on “Nearer to You”, one of the underrated gems from the soul catalog. Notably, Christina Aguilera sampled “Nearer to You” on the song “Understand” from her 2006 album, Back to Basics.

2. Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint, “Nearer to You”

The River In Reverse // The Verve Music Group //2006 

“Every little thing I do, I’m trying to get closer to you / Nearer (Nearer, nearer).” Grammy-winner Elvis Costello (1954 – ) and the late, great Allen Toussaint (1938 – 2015), covered Toussaint’s composition, originally released by Betty Harris (1939 – ), “Nearer to You”, in 2006.  “Nearer” appears as the second track on their Grammy-nominated, collaborative album, The River In Reverse. Costello is responsible for lead vocals throughout.

“Nearer to You” gets a soul-laden, gospel-infused rendition from Costello and Toussaint. This comes from glorious musical accompaniment from piano, organ, and guitar. The arrangement and production (Joe Henry) are terrific.  The main attraction, Elvis Costello, brings his A game.  His vocals are soulful from start to finish.  He never forces things, bringing great nuance and a sweet falsetto.  He gets awesome support from background vocals, which up the ante.  “Nearer to You” ends on a high note with a stirring vocal ending, vamping on the lyrics, “I’ve got to be nearer to you.” Beyond a well-rounded vocal performance, I must compliment the instrumentalists and arrangement once more.  There is a fabulous organ solo, accompanied by piano and guitar.  The instruments tastefully conclude “Nearer to You” – that formidable tandem of organ, piano, and guitar. Costello and Toussaint have a tough act to follow with Harris, but their rendition of “Nearer” is marvelous.

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

So, who delivered the best version of “Nearer to You”? Was it the rousing original by Betty Harris from Soul Perfection? Or, did Elvis Costello, who collaborated with the songwriter Allen Toussaint, take the cake? Costello/Toussaint did their thing on their 2006 take. Although recorded nearly 40 years after the original, the soul remains potent. Elvis didn’t have to do too much to provide a mean and lasting punch.  That said, out-singing Harris and her Soul Perfection – not happening.  I adore the heaviness of her voice.  She is robust, perfectly representing the southern soul sound.  Look at it this way, in either scenario, Allen Toussaint comes out victorious.  In this case, he gets the win with Betty Harris, who kills it. Can you say, Soul Perfection?!

Betty Harris vs. Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: Head 2 Head No. 18 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 43 North Broadway, LLC, Sansu, The Verve Music Group; Israel Torres, KoolShooters, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]