'Something He Can Feel': 4 Takes on the 'Sparkle' R&B Classic

Did Aretha, En Vogue or one of the 'Sparkle' casts do it best?

by Erika Ramirez, N.Y.   |   August 14, 2012 3:25 EDT

It takes confidence, poise and vocal prowess to belt out "Something He Can Feel," the slow-burning Curtis-Mayfield-penned ballad that serves as the centerpiece of the film 'Sparkle.' And over the years, several divas have proved themselves up to the challenge




Lonette McKee (who played the role of Sister Willams in the original 1976 film) was the lead vocalist who first to put her stamp on the Motown-inspired tune, along with cast-mates Irene Cara and Dawn Smith. But it was the Queen of Soul herself Aretha Franklin who infused her gospel roots into the ballad on the film's soundtrack album and took the song to No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 28 on the Hot 100 chart in '76.

Hit-making quartet En Vogue revisited the song in 1992, injecting it with a bit more sass and taking their version to No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 6 on the Hot 100.

Now, Jordin Sparks, Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter -- the cast of the 'Sparkle' 2012 remake, which opens Friday Aug. 17 - have put their shine on "Something He Can Feel" and belt out the ballad with a heart and soul that would make the film's matriarch -- late singer/actress Whitney Houston - proud.

All the women have held their own with their take of  "Something He Can Feel." But who's version makes you feel the most? Listen to each interpretation and tell us who did it best.