Roger vs. Charlie Wilson & Fantasia

In the 38^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Roger and Charlie Wilson & Fantasia contend for the best rendition of “I Want to Be Your Man.”

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 38^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Roger and Charlie Wilson & Fantasia contend for the best rendition of “I Want to Be Your Man”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Roger, “I Want to Be Your Man” 

“Hey lady, let me tell you why / I can’t live my life without you (Aw baby).”

Roger (Roger Troutman, 1951 – 1999) was a talented and influential musician. He was renowned for his use of the talk box, creating intriguing, unique vocal effects. Sadly, Troutman was the victim of an infamous murder-suicide by his older brother, Larry Troutman, in 1999 😢. Roger is best known for his hit, “I Want to Be Your Man”, which is the opening track from his 1987 album, Unlimited!. Interestingly, Roger and Larry penned the hit, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.  This marked his highest charting hit as a solo artist or otherwise. Even with his contributions to the influential, successful funk band Zapp, the impact was modest on the pop charts. Roger is a one-hit wonder, but it just doesn’t feel right.  Pop chart success or lack thereof aside, Troutman ate and left no crumbs on “I Want to Be Your Man.”

“Better not pass me by, ‘cause if you do, you’ll / Lose a good thing (Oh baby),” Roger sings in the second verse, and continues, “‘Cause what I got to say is sealed with a kiss / And a wedding ring (Wedding ring).” Oh, snap! It’s giving matrimony! “I Want To Be Your Man” sounds bright, enthusiastic, and warm. Happy to the nth degree, fittingly, it is set in a major key. The sounds are electric, rather, electronic! Sweet synths, smooth, rhythmic guitars, pronounced bass, and a groove that sits right in the pocket make the musical backdrop a surefire vibe. Roger has ample fuel for his talk box-driven fire.  His vocals are gorgeous, amplified by the striking effects created by the talk box. It is the lushness of his instrument that stands out.  He also gets superb support from backing vocals.  With tuneful melodies throughout the song, and dedicated lyrics, the simple but memorable chorus is the crowning achievement:  “I want to be your man (I wanna be your man) / I want to be your man (Yes I do, yeah-yeah).” Ultimately, “I Want to Be Your Man” is awesome.  Sure, it’s ‘80s to the core in its sound, but this classic still shines well into the 21^st century.

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2. Charlie Wilson & Fantasia, “I Wanna Be Your Man”

Charlie Wilson (b. 1953) knows a thing or two about funk music. His band, The Gap Band, excelled in the genre. With “I Wanna Be Your Man”, he covers a fellow funk musician, Roger (Roger Troutman, 1951 – 1999). Roger earned his only pop hit with the record, penned with his older brother, Larry Troutman.  Remaking a top-five pop hit can be a Herculean task.  Wilson is up to the task with the help of a Grammy-winning R&B standout, Fantasia (Fantasia Taylor).  “I Wanna Be Your Man” appears as the third track on Wilson’s 2010 album, Just Charlie.

The sound of “I Wanna Be Your Man” in the hands of Charlie Wilson is full-on adult contemporary R&B vein. The instrumental is updated and upgraded from the 1987 track to sound like the 2010s.  Gregg Pagani puts in work behind the boards, giving Wilson and, later, Fantasia, a vibrant backdrop to sing upon. Charlie wows with his buttery smooth, soulful vocals. “Every time I see you walking by, I get a thrill,” he sings in the first verse, and continues, “You don’t notice me, but in time you will.” Ooh-la-la, Charlie! In the second verse, he’s thinking matrimony (“‘Cause what I got to say / Is sealed with a kiss and a wedding”). Some vocal effects complement his marvelous instrument, as well as the background vocals that accentuate his performance and “I Wanna Be Your Man” overall. His runs are otherworldly. Fantasia appears on the back half of “I Wanna Be Your Man.” When she sings the third verse, however, she leaves her mark. “My mind is blind at times, I can’t see anyone but you,” she sings, and concludes, “Those other girls don’t matter ‘cause they cannot sport my view.” Once she gets loose, Fantasia delivers her high-flying, gospel histrionics, infusing the track with soul.  When Charlie and Fantasia sing collaboratively in the final chorus and post-chorus, the chemistry is undeniable.  All told, the duo drops a sweet, highly effective cover of “I Wanna Be Your Man”.

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who did “I Want To Be Your Man”/ “I Wanna Be Your Man” the best? Was it the original, one-hit-wonder by Roger or the buttery smooth, adult contemporary R&B duet by Charlie Wilson & Fantasia?  As is often the case when comparing to performances, both are enjoyable, respectable, and well-rounded.  Turning a solo track into a duet was a welcome contrast from Charlie Wilson/Fantasia.  Also, updating the sound, while maintaining the essence of Roger’s version, was a good look, too.  Still, the version of the song that had the most impact was the original by Roger.  Charlie and Fantasia put in work, but the distinct, special nature of the original can’t be denied.

🏅 Winner: Roger

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