Although Luther Vandross was an accomplished songwriter who penned songs for himself and artists like Aretha Franklin, he was also loved for his ability to reinterpret songs that we all knew and loved.
This talent put him in a league with singers like Frank Sinatra and Isaac Hayes who were loved for their ability to make you think that they were the first person to sing those songs.
Here are some of our favorite songs that Luther Vandross, who passed away five years ago today, covered and made his own!
Until You Come Back To Me / Superstar
Prefacing it with a bit of the Stevie Wonder-penned Aretha Franklin classic “Until You Come Back To Me,” Luther took The Carpenters’ AM radio classic “Superstar” and filled it with a ton of soul.
If Only For One Night
Brenda Russell’s original version of “If Only For One Night” became immediately obsolete once Luther’s 1985 cover version hit the market.
Creepin’
Originally recorded by Stevie Wonder on his Fulfillingness’ First Finale album in 1974, Luther claimed this one for himself and made his version the one preferred by many.
Sing it for me four times… Creep Creep Creep Creep!
A House Is Not A Home
Luther closed out his debut album with this version of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David standard, infusing it with so much soul that he had to drag it out for seven minutes!
If This World Were Mine (duet with Cheryl Lynn)
The Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell classic got the Luther treatment with a little help from Cheryl Lynn. The two put their own special brand of stank on it!
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