Who Did It Better? - Shirley Murdock vs. Kelly Price? (1986/2000)

Tonight we have one of the classics of the quiet storm, which caused a great deal of controversy at the time of its initial release in the Winter of 1986 because of its lyrics reflecting infidelity. "As We Lay," written by Larry Troutman and Billy Beck and originally recorded by The Human Body in 1984, it became a mystery hit for Zapp background singer Shirley Murdock when it was released as a single from her 1985 self-titled LP, staying on the charts for over 6 months in 1986-1987. Kelly Price 5:56 , a former background singer for Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, released her own rendition for her 2000 CD, Mirror, Mirror. Listen to both songs then share your thoughts on "who did it better" and doe this film push the limits of your moral compass in 2019? (i.e. is this the kind of song that should have been played on radio and or performed in talent shows by young singers).
#####
Reelblack's mission is to educate, elevate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. If there is content shared on this platform that you feel infringes on your intellectual property, please email me at [e-mail] and [e-mail] with details and it will be promptly removed.

[@Diamondstatedrillers]

Is this a real question??😂😂 Shirley murdock that voice is unquestionably the rawest

[@quennoc5056]

Yep

[@Diamondstatedrillers]

Shirley Murdock!! I have yet to find that feeling when I hear a song like I did when I hear Shirley

[@verbatimmags]

LOL. I said the same thing just by reading the title of the video. That's like asking who did "Woman To Woman" better. Shirley Brown or Barbara Mandrell.

[@leonlasko926]

absolutely one and only kind of voice and she put her foot in that recording..

[@corneilmadison9436]

I know right I was just wondering like what no question Shirley

[@verzatilebrown8878]

Shirley with ease even though Kelly did her thing but the winner is...... Shirley

[@cupcakes7015]

Shirley Murdock! Hands down! 6/17/19

[@cupcakes7015]

Red Pill prime 😀 10/5/19

[@TaqariPayne]

U know what to say

[@sunrah4469]

The side piece national anthem. Shirley wins by a harassing phone call.

[@00ghostcobra]

LOL!!

[@TheBlkac1]

Lol...I approve this message!

[@TahTwinkletoes]

😂😂😂

[@brookeh6721]

🤣 side piece national anthem

[@lindadean3374]

Shirley sang this song w,/ all her heart & soul...being the side piece is so hurtful 4 all parties..TRUTH.....!!

[@jojones2500]

Both vocal powerhouses , however , Ms Shirley Murdock owns that song As we lay as well as Husband and I can't go on without you . Ms Murdock voice is mesmerizing . 🌷🌻🌷🌻

[@TaqariPayne]

Hit the hammer on the nail with that

[@kendraswanson1313]

Shirley Murdock. Her smoove, not smooth, smoove vocals are EVERYTHING!!!!

[@bigupyuself]

Smooth. Ha ha

[@DetroitLives313]

Shirley Murdock, hands down! One of the great singers to come out of Toledo, OH!

[@dc3470]

detroitlives, wow, i didn't know she was from ohio. i wish she had more hits

[@aboonita1]

That's cool to know! I graduated from University of Toledo! I really enjoyed my years in the Glass city, had no idea she was my home state OHIO! ❤

[@JonMarM]

Kelly Price took us to church wit it...but Shirley's version captured the experience and essence of the song. *Shirley Murdock* fa sho!

[@Tyni9]

Shirley hands down, hands up and 5 on the black hand side! You made me blink twice and drop my jaw when I read your question. Don't play with our emotions like that! 🤣😂

[@rodneycorley7252]

Tyni EXACTLY

[@taqaripayne8122]

HELLO

[@leonlasko926]

I love Kelly Price's voice and she did a good job but there's no replacing the original version by Shirley Murdock, Shirley Murdock absolutely killed it, her vocal range and runs are insane.. and because of that her version, the original, is a one and only absolute classic and can't be duplicated nor outdone..

[@giftedchosengift1623]

SHIRLEY MURDOCK ABSOLUTELY SANG IT BEST. She had more soul & heart in her version 🦋

[@violetblu1]

This is a straight up classic and NO ONE can tourch our girl Shirley on this one. The pure emotion and rawness she exudes is incredible.

[@dalecity1974]

Shirly..not saying Kelly can't sing. Its just more passion from the Originals.

[@moneyhouseblessin]

Its Shirlz World last time I check. Respect to KP tho💯

[@fortheloveofmemznelson1153]

I'm from the era of the original Shirley Murdock....hence my vote of appreciation. Kelly Price was also great.

[@karlinwilliamson9329]

Aunt Shirley's 😀 mix was authentic and natural, K.P. had to much going on in instrumentation. So Shirley, by far, wins on production quality and for riding with the groove.

[@karlinwilliamson9329]

@stryfetc1 that's funny🤣

[@christhomas5761]

@stryfetc1 Heck , Kelly is Auntie too , lol.

[@jeffreymassey5541]

Shirley hands down👏🏿

[@gqpops]

Shirley Murdock, its a classic and takes you back to the first time you heard it.

[@TeddyStrongBear]

Wow!!! Both are great soulful singers, but this song right ch’ere belongs to the Queen Shirley Murdock!

[@louises9762]

Shirley's version brings tears to my eyes every time. She is singing her pain. Kelly is awesome, but it's just no match.

[@pamelabetts6459]

WHY must we compare? Who's better? Both of them are good!!!😎

[@naturallyme6937]

And the winner is.......come on now.... Shirley ALL THE WAY!

[@joemotionink4307]

Love u Kelly but.....SM GOT IT

[@kellynorvell5714]

Definitely Shirley Murdock but Kelly sounds beautiful too. Shirley sings like she has actually experienced what she is singing about.

[@EmpressVicky0116]

Shirley Murdock hands down I love Kelly Price she's beautiful for Shirley Murdock takes it home.

[@elliottbethea1777]

Shirley Murdock bodied this song! Untouchable.👑👑

[@donyalegable5741]

Until Kelly got in the ring....

[@rarabarak825]

The original. Shirley's voice was out of this world. I remember when my friend wanted the chorus teacher to let us sing this song in class. He was like no damn way lol.

[@everydayeveryday982]

"As We Lay" wow! Both artist moves my heart and makes me feel those vibes and it is truly a hard choice for me. I would have to go with the original Shirley Murdock. Then again that Kelly Price, "Oh My God" when she gets deep into that song, she moves my heart. That Kelly can really sing it out~We forgot about tomorrow as we lay. Man~ I feel that ending with Kelly Price, Sweet!

[@yeahisaidit5633]

Mannnnn Shirley got this one hands down!

[@sandraevans5690]

S M both are beautiful but love the original. 👍

[@shan5445]

The production in the first one is better the music in the second one drags out the song

@reelblack I thought that question was a April Fool's joke, then I realized it's June..GTFOH👋😂. ONCE AGAIN SHIRLEY MURDOCK💯💘

[@theosymommy]

🤣😂🤣🤣😂

[@alexk2501]

Shirley Murdock is simply hypnotic!

[@deshaunx776]

Smh people are so biased, especially when the original artist is underrated. Shirley’s version came first and is a great song. She’s a great singer & the song holds a lot of nostalgia. That being said, Kelly’s version is better. Her voice sounds far more mature than Shirley’s, the musical arrangement has a more timeless quality (Shirley’s sounds 100% 80’s). Also, Kelly’s riffs & ad-libs at the end sound way more passionate & authentic. Shirley sings it like a young girl who did something naughty. Kelly sings it like a grown ass woman who let a situation go too far.

[@corneilmadison9436]

What? Kelly sang this but Shirley slayed it

[@timmy841212]

Nah can't agree with you lol Shirley was pushing 30 when her version came out. Kelly was also pushing 30 when she did her version.

[@deshaunx776]

@@timmy841212 Nothing to do with their actual age. I said Kelly's voice sounds more mature-- lower, darker, with a huskiness to it. Shirley's voice is bright & clear. A more youthful sound.

[@paulayoung9657]

No competition. Shirley Murdock all the way.

[@anjelheaven]

Honestly, I prefer Kelly's version. They're both exceptional vocalists but I like the runs in Kelly's and I also like the production more. Can we acknowledge that both these ladies deserved far better careers than what they've had?

[@1_Papa]

Though Kelly remains one of the best female R&B singers of our time, this is the comparison of a great cover versus an all-around R&B Classic. Shirley's hauntingly beautiful vocals combined with the then-unknown ballad talents of the late Roger and Larry Troutman, made for one of the best R&B songs ever recorded. Winner: Shirley! 🐰

[@Sheila0000]

Hmmmmmm Shirley Murdock without a doubt!

[@sharonjerseygirl3682]

I like both versions!!!👍😊

[@pamelalovings4711]

2019' Shirley Murdock💕😇☝️was listened to or played during a Sweet era!!😁 Kelly Price put her own Unique Twist of Ingredients to it for the Music lovers of that Era and present!!👍Thanks for Sharing!!

[@jetted_out]

Would love to here whitney Houston sing this.

[@missk4379]

there would then be no other option to choose from...

[@9428wayne]

Shirley Murdock did it the best . We had a debate about this song when Kelly Price did it the young folk got mad 👍 We know who did it the best

[@whisenton97]

Once again not fair,Shirley's voice is legendary!!!!

[@cashisclay8474]

Shirley gets it because she did it first, but really it's a tie.

[@00ghostcobra]

Kelly Price definitely did the song justice, but come on.. Shirley Murdock's version is absolutely soul stirring. SHIRLEY MURDOCK WINS!!

[@Kalilastormhi2011]

Shirley Murdock is my ladie.......I had just moved to California in 1986 and I was in love with two individuals and this song really hit home at that time as well as for today. it still hits home by pulling forward my past.

[@HOODCLASSICTELEVISION]

There’s ONLY ‘Shirley’s” version. Stop playing 🛑

[@DarkAries76]

Shirley Murdock still has people feeling tight with her version. She wins just for doing that lol.

[@missk4379]

lol

[@drock228]

I love Kelly Price, but this Shirley Murdock's song, though Shirley's is a remake too as you pointed out, but Shirley's version is the Best Version of this song!

[@donyalegable5741]

In your humble opinion thank God we our not going off facts

[@freddiemontanez8461]

November 3, 2019, Love this song ❤️. Shirley Murdock sang it better.

[@leecanty2894]

Shirley Murdock for sure. Sounded like she singing from experience🤔

[@BlackDiamondForumClub]

Shirley Murdock hands down

[@Lashid4u]

Shirley Murdock - no doubt. That's the one us young girls would try to sing, even if we didn't know what the lyrics were REALLY saying ..lol ...and that woman just has one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL voices, which can, also, get VERY POWERFUL ..ANYONE who votes Kelly MUST be of a younger generation, and don't, really, remember when the original song came out ..Plus, I'm down with the Zapp/Troutman production.

[@yisraeladyisrael7662]

Now this was super hard!!! Very challenging!!! Both Artists vocals are amazing, love the instrumentals in Kelly version but also love the smoothness of Shirley version as well... The thing that got me was the emotions behind the song. Shirley sound like she lived that song vs Kelly just sound like she was remaking the Song. With that being said I will have to go with Shirley Murdock with this one, only because of the passion she had it speaks volume!!! Kelly My Girl Though!! So Yea I shocked myself with this one!!! Shirley Murdock!!! 🖤

[@wandawilliams3110]

This was a hard choice for me.. Two very powerful singers. Of course Ms. Murdock, created a wonderful rendition, that can't be duplicated. Ms. Price, didn't try too.. She took a powerful song and made it her own.. The lyrics still there, but the instrumental and the emotions, all hers. And, for just the audacity to try it.. I'm giving this one to Ms. Price.. My opinion, of course.

[@darrienanderson9986]

I agree! I think people say Mrs.murdock because she originally made the song

[@thecoach11]

Shirley Murdock and leave it alone forever ! This version will never be duplicated you're welcome !

[@supynorr]

SHIRLEY

[@angelj.1750]

Shirley Murdock.... HANDS down for sure.

[@tmost7639]

Ms Mudrock voice is one of a kind!! Kelly no match for her.. great video 👍👍👍👍👍

[@kennard87]

Mrs Murdock frfr

[@bigb2494]

Shirley without question. Only vocalist to give me chills with her crescendo

[@Hebrewsista]

Shirley of course!

[@henriettaparks586]

MS.!!! SHIRLEY!!! MURDOCK!!!! LAWD!! HAVE MERCY!!! SANG!! HEAVENLY!!!! HANDS DOWN!!! LOVE IT!!!#2020!!

[@shomariwilliams9502]

Shirley Murdock! It’s so effortless for her!

[@patricialewis-neal376]

Shirley Murdock all the way, no contest. Kelly did a good job 👏

[@johnmangum2911]

Okay Shirley Murdock voice is amazing she did a great job I love the fact that she did it first and set the blueprint for anybody else to come behind her on this song I love the way she sings however Kelly Price in every way shape and form did the song much better than her especially the back end of the song wow I mean that wasn't even close!! Kelly's voice showed lots of beauty power and finesse Shirley's voice while beautiful and sincere is just a little underdeveloped for this type of song and she didn't really have the wind to carry the notes completely over like Kelly Price did.. great job tho.. ladies salute to Shirley Murdock..but Kelly price gets my vote hands down!!

[@deshaunx776]

John Mangum absolutely!! If Kelly’s version came first, everyone would agree it was better.

[@donyalegable5741]

Yes baby who are you let's smoke together as we lay on both of them.

[@salwashabazz7329]

What do you mean a “song like this”? Kelly Price remade this song, including the instrumentation. This is her version. Shirley’s version also sounds the way it was supposed to sound. Don’t get me wrong, I love Kelly Price, but big powerhouse voices don’t always mean better. I don’t think Kelly could’ve sang Shirley’s version. Shirley’s version has much more soul and heart; makes you really understand how they’re sleeping around. Kelly sounds beautiful but you get caught up in her voice and the musicality (again which I love) like most of her songs.

[@johnmangum2911]

@@salwashabazz7329 bro she did the song way better to me..! She killed it.. I know.. bigger stronger vocals ain't always better but in this case it was..my dude

[@salwashabazz7329]

Ok that’s fine. I’m not here to go back and forth nor argue. I don’t do that on social media. I was merely giving another pov...mine. However, I’m not a bro or a dude lol. ✌🏾

[@lenabrown3930]

Shirley Murdock no doubt she sing with so much feeling you can't beat that !

[@jfbub1562]

Shirley Murdock!

[@Riogi]

Shirley Murdock gets my vote.

[@em-jay5370]

I listened over and over to these wonderful voices. But the end of these songs made me go with Kelly Price. She poured out her soul and went straight to church. "My love why can't you see how loving you is killing me... Oh Snap!!!

[@jonjonharreld5774]

So So Dope...I Love Both Of Them Because It's All About Keeping The Legacy Alive And Only Kelly Could've Done This Justice...Fam Fa'Life One Love Fa'Sho...

[@robertarmstrong6015]

Kelly is good...actually VERY VERY good....but Shirley is simply transcendental..made for the song!

[@Sharon-tb9yh]

SM all the way

[@lailonnib]

I was looking for this one

[@annnmaielemmie7369]

Definitely Shirley Murdock

[@LoyalToAfault]

A Tie they both bring uniqueness to the song inwhich the other does not no doubt Kelly's vocals are heavier and soulful.

[@robertbright-jc3sd]

You just have to remember if there wasn’t a Shirley Murdock version there would be no Kelly Price version. Shirley Murdock “HANDS DOWN”!!!!

[@nawfsidehtown2927]

Kelly Price is good but there is no way no how she's better than Shirley Murdock.

[@IceManLikeGervin]

Both versions are tite but Shirley's version which was out when I was growing up is just on another level...her voice is one of a kind

[@undefinedd1147]

I love these who did it better videos. Thank you

[@dustyhotep4196]

Kelly did a ok job but Shirley was the real one.!

[@bigeman25]

Shirley Murdock. She put all of Shirley Murdock into this, her song. Love you, Kelly.

[@whitneyfiggs-stallings2300]

Shirley Murdock has it here. This a true quiet storm record. Bring back the V. Harper quiet storm.

[@EmpressDivine04]

Dana Harris. Her version from the 90s is often forgotten but it's my personal favorite.

[@sonojah]

Gonna have to research this good lookin out

[@jermelleaustin9263]

Shirley version will never get old. But Kelly’s is priceless.

[@monicahoward3964]

First time I heard this song it was being sung by Kelly Price. I love both hers and Shirley Murdock.

[@jamesgordon1520]

Just to let some of you people know, they both did a good job of a song that was done long before they did it. A group called The Human body did it first.

[@timmy841212]

Theirs came out in 1984 lol Shirley's was just a year later. 😁

[@jeanbrown6117]

This was my song back in the day...I'm singing along to the words to Ms Murdock's song...the vocal arrangements, harmonies and lyrical virtuosity are unforgettable. Shirley is telling the story in such a believable way...what a songstress. Kelly started to pick things up towards the latter part of her version, loved her ad libs.

[@johnbrock6116]

Oh my Shirley's version is much better for sure, Kelly's version to me is forced " a show off of vocal runs and sheer power" but doesn't suit the real story telling of the songs intended message.. I was not aware of Kelly's version til I just heard this.... it's not bad, but a bit over the top.... again a touch too forceful...

[@katyarnold6757]

Hand down Shirley Murdock all day long, Shirley Murdock vocals are out of this world she has a voice only from God. Shirley voice is so rare and unique her voice and has a such a gospel sound just a phonemenal!!!! voice. Kelly Price is a powerhouse vocalist, Kelly Price took us to church. Excellent!!! Kelly Price.

[@mistermyself1128]

Shirley. Kelly is a great singer but again this is one of those songs. This is a calling card for Shirley.

[@mirawoolen7753]

I love both versions! Shirley's version is the template and without it, there is no Kelly's version! I felt that also in Kelly's version, it was more of a homage to SM but Shirley made me feel she was right there in the moment. SM all day!!!

[@sheilajames9596]

Shirley the teacher honey. You cant take the trophy from the champ, sorry

[@simmiewilliams5970]

Shirley’s version makes me feel guilty as charged...damn it, Shirley for the win.

[@andreagreen3525]

Shirley hands down!! Now don't get me wrong, Kelly sings it good but Shirley has put soul into this song

[@joycecomegys5835]

Shirley every day, all day!!! Kelly did a nice job, but that's Shirley's signature piece right der!

[@feleciamorse5418]

Listening in 2020

[@dejavue54]

Shirley Murdock...❤❤❤

[@jenjay0167]

These ladies put it down!! A definite tie!!

[@amberjay82]

SHIRLEY but u canr deny KELLY version she had the vocals to KILL IT like SHIRLEY DID