Tonight, I was treated to a screening of the new Fame movie and although I would like to share my thoughts about yet another Hollywood “reinvention,” I’ll save it for Friday.
In the meantime, there is one song in the film that echoes my head: “On My Own”. Not only have I made a mental note to put this in my karaoke song, but it has also sparked a side-by-side comparison of the original version sung by Irene Cara and the new one by Naturi Naughton.
Here’s Naturi singing the full version on GMA:
Hmmmm. Do I prefer the stylings of a girl in a totally hot straight-cut bang permed haircut or a gal in a preppie Lacoste pink V-neck sweater?
Cara’s version has a raw clarity to it – there’s a casual and natural sparkle. It’s honest. Naughton sings with bellowing emotion and stinky face vocal acrobatics. There’s an urgent tenderness to Cara’s and there’s more of an “in-your-face-you-go-girl-you-ain’t-gonna-stop-me” empowerment to Naughton’s – but it does seem a tad bit manufactured.
I should stay loyal to the original because of its iconic status, but the new version has a modern gravitas about it.
This is a tough call. This is an important issue plaguing the general public. It’s crucial to our existence. So please, share your thoughts.
