Battle of the Beats
Battle of the Remakes: Hello It's Them

I will always credit The Isley Brothers for "Hello It's Me". No diss to Todd Rundgren, but if not for Ron and the fellas, this song wouldn't have landed on my radar. Okay, full disclosure: my dad may have had something to do with that. Moving along, I naturally don't take any retreads of this song lightly. But, Mary J. Blige, Groove Theory and John Legend are plenty qualified to take on the track. For some of you, this might be a difficult choice. Between Mary's layered, old school take, Groove Theory's sexy, jazzy rendition and Legend's, which is closer in spirit to Rundgren's original, you're going to be banging your head against the wall. Do I even have to tell you which one's my favorite?
Mary J. Blige: "Hello It's Me"
Groove Theory: "Hello It's Me"
John Legend: "Hello It's Me"
Tags: groove theory, isley bros, john legend, mary j. blige

Comments
Wow...talk about screwing up a great song--the Legend and Groove Theory versions don't even come close on the chords, so of these 3 it would have to be Blige...a respectable rendition. But the best is by the genius who wrote it: Todd Rundgren, who could out sing all 3 of 'em hands down-
John | May 19, 2008 1:22 PM | PermalinkWow...talk about screwing up a great song--the Legend and Groove Theory versions don't even come close on the chords, so of these 3 it would have to be Blige...a respectable rendition. But the best is by the genius who wrote it: Todd Rundgren, who could out sing all 3 of 'em hands down-
John | May 19, 2008 1:21 PM | PermalinkGroove Theory all the way...
Deroc | April 10, 2008 10:46 AM | PermalinkI have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised with Mary's version but I'm going to have to go with Groove Theory for the win. I like the way Amel harmonized in the GT version.
Miss Milya | April 9, 2008 9:12 PM | PermalinkHave always loved GT's version the best. I usually dont like remakes by Mary but it was aight. GT's easy and light version and background vocals makes it top!
CT | April 9, 2008 6:53 PM | PermalinkMary. I love strong voices, and after listening to her version, the Amel sounded weak - and I like Amel. JL sounds so snivel-y to me.
mia. | April 9, 2008 6:46 PM | Permalinkgroove theory's has always been my favorite amel's smooth voice can make any track better!
Cristin | April 9, 2008 4:17 PM | PermalinkGT got my vote!! Call me a romantic.
Nikki | April 9, 2008 2:58 PM | PermalinkGroove Theory, no question!!
Lynn | April 9, 2008 2:02 PM | PermalinkI do love Todd's and the Isley Bros' rendition but out of the three above, hands down absolutely love the Groove Theory version. One of my favorite tracks from them. I listen to it often.
Danielle | April 9, 2008 1:24 PM | Permalinkthe Groove theory one has been a favorite for years....love Amel Larrieux I have to check the rest, but I'm already betting its still gonna be my fave. Mary does good covers though--A Dream and Natural Woman are two of my favorites.
Reece | April 9, 2008 10:36 AM | PermalinkI like Mary's the best. It reminds me of old skool Aretha. I have to check to see if she did a version. Aretha always took someone else's song and not only made it her own but made it the preferred version imo. Bridge Over Troubled Water, Respect, Natural Woman. Nobody can touch those songs.
sfsinger | April 9, 2008 1:11 AM | PermalinkGroove Theory.
jojodancer | April 9, 2008 1:05 AM | PermalinkC'mon, c'mon bouncy-boos! How could you sleep on Gerald Levert and Lil' Mo's remake of this song from the Mod Squad soundtrack (1998). The judging can't begin until you add it.
JW Richard | April 9, 2008 12:33 AM | PermalinkHonsetly, I don't think any of these are touching Todd Rundgren. The original is the best in this case. I do like all of these, though. I guess I'd go with Mary if I had to pick.
mr.priestess | April 8, 2008 10:44 PM | PermalinkGroove Theory has this one hands down. The arrangement and her vocals are just killer. Dare I say that this is my definitive version of the song?
I'd never heard John's version before, but it was nice.
adeosun | April 8, 2008 9:49 PM | PermalinkWoah, I was not ready for that Todd Rundgren clip, not ready at all. Lol
I have to say I enjoyed Mary's version of this classic the most.
0731 | April 8, 2008 9:44 PM | Permalinkhm... John and Mary get me the most. I will have to say Mary first, then John. Shout out to GT, though.
J Renzo | April 8, 2008 7:24 PM | PermalinkI would have chosen JL but his quivering voice aggravates me; so, Imma go with GT. God knows Imma Mary stan, but I prefer the romantic vibes.
Mr. Lowe | April 8, 2008 7:18 PM | PermalinkBoth remakes of John legend And Mary J bLige, i love
Basi | April 8, 2008 6:56 PM | PermalinkGroove Theory's.
SoulStar | April 8, 2008 6:52 PM | PermalinkAgreed that they all did something different with it, which is cool.
It was a toss up between Mary and Groove Theory. I didn't like JL's rendition at all.
Groove Theory got this one though. Amel's voice on this track is music to my ears.
Aunt Viv | April 8, 2008 6:48 PM | PermalinkAll three versions were nice. My fav would be the John Legend selection. It would definitely depend on the mood but it was a hard decision between the Legend and Blige versions.
Shan | April 8, 2008 5:47 PM | PermalinkI actually think they all did a nice job with the song. Everyone made it their own. The mark of true artists I would say. However, I think I woud prefer to listen to Mary cuz that's my girl tho GT and JL did really solid renditions. May just depend on my mood.
Sho | April 8, 2008 4:52 PM | PermalinkI prefer Groove Theory's version.It just has a nice touch to it.
Sharonda | April 8, 2008 4:42 PM | Permalink