WHO SANG IT BETTER: RIHANNA VS. MANDY?
Friday, August 17, 2007

Under their umbrellas? So I thought that this was pretty funny that Mandy Moore decided to cover Rihanna’s huge crossover smash, “Umbrella.” I first heard this song on MTV’s popular “reality” series, The Hills. I’m not really a fan of the show, but I just happened to be at a friend’s house and there she was singing “Umbrella.” [Apparently, the version that was on 'The Hill's' wasn't Mandy Moore, it was Marie Digby. View her version here.] In all honesty, this just proves the crossover appeal of this song. I’ve heard country version of this song, and here’s a soft-rock ballad version and it actually is listenable. I can’t even hate, this version has something likable about it. Of course, they serve two different purposes. Rihanna’s “Umbrella” (written and produced by The Dream) goes hard in the club and in the car, and Mandy’s version is for those kick back nights with your boo.
Rihanna - Umbrella (full) - listen / alternate
Mandy Moore - Umbrella (full) - listen / alternate
[However, I will say this. This just goes to show you that white folks will forever take something that black people have done before, throw some blonde hair on it and their people will go up for it. We can never have some stuff to ourselves.] Some people may have forgot that this is a blog, which means we are entitled to our opinions. Even if you don’t agree with what Brian said, you can at least speak on it maturely. Thanx for your time. -Angel








294 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: « 1 2 3 [4] Show All
226.
anti-social butterfly*
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
Honestly, I still dont like the song regardless of who is singing it
but Mandy’s version irks me a lot less.
Rihanna cant sing and the only way I will listen to Rihanna’s version
is if its just the instrumental.
wow #222… I sincerely hope you were joking. If not, let me suggest you put down the amy winehouse rocks.
227.
Lette
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
#188 n 189 do me a fava and shut the fuck up y u so mad if it dont pertain to you? shit obviously u feel guilty u dumb ass shit I’m entitled to my fuckin opinion n #220 thank you!!!! shit the only reason y u mad cuz u kno itz true white people have been stealin shit for years regardless if this whole Mandy Moore/ Rhianna thing iz about racism or not and CL aint a dumb website if you don’t like what they sayin log da fuck off!!!!!
228.
iCantStandWhitePeople
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
mandy must retire.
229.
Dame
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
Rihanna believe it or not sounds better. I did hear it at the end of The Hills and was like WTF?
230.
JR
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
#227 - I agree, you have a right to your opinion. But please explain how the selling of the song to other artists (who in this case happen to be white) by whomever holds its publishing rights equates to those white artists stealing it.
231.
Heres The Gotcha Gotcha
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
mandy moores version sounds horrible!!!!!!!!
but marie digby’s version sounds nice…her voice is a lil too soft for this song tho i think…nothing special….
m used 2 rhianna version and so hers sounds waaaay better than that plus she be hittin all them high notes
232.
Aairy803
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
i really dont hav a problem wit white folks remakin or doin ova black people songs (and vice versa) but atleast do it better or up to par than what the last person did.
i was in aeropostale jus the otha day wit my friends n i heard aaliyah song ” are you that somebody” n it wuz remade by sum white person. we wuz lik WTF?? plz turn da shit off cuz it sound a hot mess! jus down rite awful made me want to leav da damn store quik as hell.
i really aint feelin the umbrella version dat mandy moore got. idk jus dont sound good as a slow rock.
233.
Nickey
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
I like Rihanna’s version better, but I dont think that Mandy Moore did a good job. I dont think this should be turned into a race issue. Mandy Moore did the cover as part of a performance on Pepsi Smash. Different artists cover songs. Rihanna has done a performance on there also. Mandy said this is her favorite song right now. I dont think shes trying to steal Rihannas song or anything.
234.
Nickey
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
I meant to say I think Mandy did a good job.
235.
Loquacious
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
Can’t we freakin hear a song without a remix to it??? first cb..then some acoustic singer..now mandy..
236.
Nickey
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
It was just part of a cover art performance. I think people are making this into a bigger issue than it is.
237.
Nickey
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
And I think it should have been posted along with the song that this was from a Pepsi smash cover art performance. Its not like she just stole her song.
238.
Ty
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
The black/white comment was extremely unnecessary. Cover Art is a feature on Yahoo Music. They do it every month. Artists cover popular songs. It’s a compliment. Where was the outrage when Joe covered Carrie Underwood last month?
239.
SoSad
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
I read this comment on youtube regarding the marie or whatever her name remake:
“It kinda reminds of me when the song “Cadillac Car” gets remade in Dreamgirls”
They ain’t never lied!
240.
chocsweethrt
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
to put it simple…i hate all 3 versions. The song in general is ugly as hell to me. ey ey ey…wtf?
241.
heckynaw
Friday, August 17, 2007 /
this reminds me of dreamgirls when the white show remade the song that eddie n them had just come out with.
i mean dag how u gonna remake a song that basically JUST came out. and it IS a black white thing. u dont see any black people remaking the song.
but ya mandy and rihanna r both weak, but im gonna hav2 go with the original.
242.
zorm12
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
The lyrics sucks, and Rihanna can’t sing
243.
TA
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
BOTH VERSIONS CAN KISS MY A$$!!!! 1ST OF ALL IT HAS 2 DO WITH THAT NO-SINGING RIHANNA. SO WITH THAT SAID NO COMMENT FOR THE REST OF MY COMMENT 8HEADED ALIEN LOOKIN BITCH. HOW IS SHE FAMOUS?
244.
Leosag
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
I think this Mandy Moore version is pretty terrible. I like her as an actress but she should not have covered this song. It has no fire to it. Lovin Rihanna’s version though.
245.
NewarkintheHouse
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
stop this white people copying black people bull. ARTISTS COPY EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME. Mandy/Mary meant no harm. They were just both having fun with a POPULAR SUMMER HIT!
If it wasn’t for white people you wouldn’t have THIS BLOG and WE black people wouldn’t have the INTERNET.
Real World = College Hill
Total Request Live = 106 & Park
The Hills = Baldwin Hills
etc. etc.etc…the list goes on of popular things we recently copied from white folks. AND FOR THE RECORD, ELVIS ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT HOW MUCH HE RESPECTED BLACK ARTISTS AND HOW THEY WERE HIS INSPIRATION AND ALL. LET HIM REST IN PEACE.
This is NONSENSE. Enjoy the music, pick your preference and STFU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
246.
NewarkintheHouse
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
I think you guys should check out ALANIS MORRISSETTE cover of FERGIE’s “my humps” on YOUTUBE. I’VE NEVER SEEN/HEARD ANYTHING FUNNIER. It’s GREAT!!!!
Check it out on youtube. Damn I love youtube!
247.
still reppin' bdge,ga
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
i like it….i like it !!!!!!
248.
Seattle Slim
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
Brian in the case of rock n roll you are right but it is completely our fault as to WHY we have not embraced rock as a culture anymore. We have cultural hangups.
Bloc Party, Lenny Kravitz, Jimi Hendrix, Sevendust, several punk groups featured in the documentary “Afro-Punk,” Hootie And The Blowfish….these were all groups/singers that chose to do rock and did a damned good version of it yet black Americans never catch on. Why? That sounds like a cultural problem.
Rock never stopped being ours, we just let it slip away. But I am here to tell you as a black rock chic, it’s still alive and well. You just have to look for it.
249.
yomama
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
220-
im sure it was a “accident”
250.
chi
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
YouTube - Switchfoot - Crazy In Love [Beyonce cover]
251.
U.K.~Sista
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
To be honest… I like both versions.
252.
U.K.~Sista
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
I like both
253.
ginuwinefan
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
Ermm… I love Rihanna’s version! Umbrella has to be my favorite single released all year. LOL
I see the approach Mandy was trying to take, but someone else with a more folksy/soft rock/pop (whatever) voice could’ve taken it to another level.
Oh, and leave my husband Brian alone! hehe
254.
Aisha
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
LMAO so this song was meant for BRITNEY SPEARS…OH WOW.
255.
Aisha
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
Rihanna wasn’t the first recipient in line for the song. “I wrote it for Britney Spears,” says Dream, who had penned “Me Behind the Music” for Spears and Madonna two years prior. “She was going through a lot at that particular point, especially with her kids. I wrote it from the perspective of how a mother would sing to her children whenever they’re going through something. And it actually transcended into meaning a lot for everybody.”
http://www.vibe.com/news/.../07/umbrella_secret_life/
OH WOWLMAO.
They need to do a tribute to Chuck Berry since many Black folks don’t know who he is.
256.
Aisha
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
Although, I respect your opinion Brian, I think youu jump the gun a bit on this one. As people said before this was for some yahoo thing, they do it all the time have other artists cover other artists. Joe Covered “Before He Cheats” NOW you should do a mash up of that.
257.
sasha
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
My goodness did you people even watch the Mandy video? She credits Rihanna the entire friggin time, and she has Rihanna’s music video playing in the background. I think it’s great she did a more contemporary version of the song- not all us black folks like the same banger type sounding music all the time, Rih Rih’s would never have made a mature sound like this I LIKE IT so whatevs to all you haters.
258.
sissi
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
I don’t Like Mandy Moore.. but she did a great Job
LOVE IT =)
259.
one tree hill
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
NEXT!!!
260.
ericaj527
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
I like Marie Digby’s version better, and she’s done some other good covers on Youtube. I’m sure Mandy Moore decided to do the cover also after watching Marie perform it on Carson Daley.
261.
New Yorker
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
i think if someone listens to r&b/hip hop most of the time they’ll most likely hate mandy’s version. it’s not fair to compare such different versions
262.
PammaJamma
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
Rhianna rocked this song. Its so boring how Mandy M tried and I do say tried to sing it.
263.
jaerisk
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
i like mandy’s better…just needs a new jay verse
264.
boombox
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
agreed 261…of course youre not gonna like it if youre not even a fan of that type of music. i dig the digby (haha) version for what it is. i wish she would have kept that “-ella, -ella” part out though, but i even hate that part in rhi’s version.
and about The Hills….hell yea, i can understand the first season of heidi looking dumb as hell with spencer since she didnt know all the shit he was talking/doing, but after having a chance to see it and still want to be with him? and then her dumbass just couldnt understand why he was rushing her to move in. i agree w/ the person who said LC is undercover weak (lol). she does need to chill out, cus she’s starting to look like a jealous cockblock.
265.
CeCe
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
I dont like it i think so far the person who covered it the best is John West .. He is on my space just google in john west .
266.
Hot_Chilli_Pepper
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
RIHANNA’S VERSION IS A WHOLE NOTCH BETTER. MANDY’S VERSION IS LIKE A LULLABY THAT PLAYS ON ONE OF THOSE BABY TOYS. IT JUST PUTS YOU TO SLEEP!
267.
sfoy
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
Really it doesn’t matter, it doesnt have to be a black or white thing. The song wasn’t originally rihanna’s anyway, i’ve heard MANY different versions of this song & originally it was song by a white person. So what if the white people said oh those blacks always gotta throw sum “flava” or whatever into there songs. The Luther Van Dros song Dont you remember you told me you loved me, was song originally by who?, a white person. It goes both ways in this situation, Rihanna DID NOT come up with the song, nor did she write it, so she has just become “big” this summer over a song that’s not even her’s
268.
Cmeez
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
@ Mika, LC thinks Heidi & Spencer had something to do with the rumor going around that LC & Jason had a sex tape out.
269.
ballers wife
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
@ 14 ebony lololol that was funny
270.
tRiNa
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
i mean damn….the song not even a year old yet..and someone trying to get a piece of it already……..let my girl rihanna do her…by her damn self………thanks
271.
Urban-Flava-Muzik-Blogspot
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
Sorry yo.. But I’m not feelin’ Mandy’s version AT ALL!
Why she did it? I ain’t hatin’.. But I don’t see any reason!
Dayum.. “Umbrella” was a HIT.. So why don’t dey leave it like dat!
Why do all dem cover versions?!
She really messed it up.. Sorry!
272.
birdmane12
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
after reading these comments i could care less about the songs i just am surprised so many black women watch them crazy shoes on mtv not a race thing but from an entertaining one i don’t see how y’all stomach watching them shows.
273.
birdmane12
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
after reading these comments i could care less about the songs i just am surprised so many black women watch them crazy shows on mtv not a race thing but from an entertaining point of view i don’t see how y’all stomach watching them shows.
274.
Lou
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
Straight Up Racism lol
275.
iCantStandWhitePeople
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
“If it wasn’t for white people you wouldn’t have THIS BLOG and WE black people wouldn’t have the INTERNET.”
@ #245 you cannot prove that.
Paris respects black people too. did u know that?
now stfu.
276.
Aisha
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
You obviously didn’t READ THE COMMENTS. IT WAS FOR A PEPSI SMASH YAHOO THING THEY ALWAYS HAVE ARTISTS COVER OTHER PEOPLE SONGS
THEY DO IT ALL THE TIME. MANDY CREDITED RIHANNA THE ENTIRE TIME SHE PERFORMED AS WELL AS OTHER ARTISTS
JOE COVERED CARRIE UNDERWOOD BEFORE HE CHEATS
THE SONG WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR BRITNEY SPEARS>
PLEASE READ THE DAMN COMMENTS
277.
WHATDIDYOUJUSTSAY?
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
I like the ballad style of Mandy’s version but the echoing background vocals sounded kinda off rhythm at times. sounded like two songs were playing…so imma vote for Rhianna
278.
PapiAndres21
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
LOL, this is so crazy cause when I seen this post and heard Mandy Moore’s Version, I instantly thought of that scene in Dreamgirls… “Baught me a cadilac, cadilac, cadilac… baught me a cadilac car…” Now I have to say, I’m part white and I defenitly do not like mandy moore’s version. How the hell do you even TRY to change an uptempo song like Umbrella and SLOW it down to half speed, throw a guitar in the background and call it yours. I hope this was a joke…. Mandy Moore needs to go back to her “CANDY” days, she did sound ok on that song atleast. Rhianna sounds like an individual on Umbrella, but Mandy, sounds exactly like what she’s doin, being an copy cat. Man, I can’t stop thinkin about that part in dream girls… now I see it still goes on today. Some things will NEVER change…
Another Voice,
Andrew
279.
danny
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
u know what? most of y’all want to be tolerated, but u’re intolerant against everything, which does not fit into your opinion….
we’re living in the year 2007 and the only thing you can think about is black and white…
280.
Lihara
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
@ 268 I think LC is right bc in the preview when Jason & LC was having dinner did you hear Heidi say “prob they’re into some making movie action 2night”..even in the show it seemed like Spencer controls the relationship bc he told Heidi to step to LC
281.
danny
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
and rihanna’s version is better
i hope it’s ok that i like rihannas version, because i’m white
282.
Aisha
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
#278 You obviously didn’t READ THE COMMENTS. IT WAS FOR A PEPSI SMASH YAHOO THING THEY ALWAYS HAVE ARTISTS COVER OTHER PEOPLE SONGS
THEY DO IT ALL THE TIME. MANDY CREDITED RIHANNA THE ENTIRE TIME SHE PERFORMED AS WELL AS OTHER ARTISTS
JOE COVERED CARRIE UNDERWOOD BEFORE HE CHEATS
THE SONG WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR BRITNEY SPEARS>
PLEASE READ THE DAMN COMMENTS
283.
Aisha
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
PLEASE READ THE COMMENTS
PLEASE READ THE COMMENTS
PLEASE READ THE COMMENTS
PLEASE READ THE COMMENTS
THE SONG WAS ORIGINALLY FOR BRITNEY SPEARS
THE SONG WAS ORIGINALLY FOR BRITNEY SPEARS
THE SONG WAS ORIGINALLY FOR BRITNEY SPEARS
MANDY DID IT FOR PEPSI SMASH
THEY ALWAYS HAVE ARTISTS COVER OTHER SONGS WHILE THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS VIDEO PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND
THEY HAD JOE SINGING BEFORE HE CHEATS BY CARRIE UNDERWOOD
PLEASE READ THE COMMENTS BEFORE COMMENTING
SO YOU WON”T MAKE AN ASS OF YOUR SELF.
284.
Anna
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
What irks me so much about this entire thread is the fact that Brian did make this a white and black issue when it didn’t need to be. Yes white people do steal from black people and try to act like its their own but in this particular case, why bring that up just because a white girl chose to sing a rendition of Umbrella? He’s acting like white people shouldn’t be singing Umbrella just cuz a black girl sung it first.
First off its a pop song so it will appeal to anyone. Second the song was meant for a white person regardless. If a white person wants to cover the song, then who cares? Music is universal, white people could sing it if they want. White people are singing the song all the time, so is that such a bad thing? And if a white person wants to post it on youtube singing the song, is that wrong too? Def Jam wants white people singing Umbrella. Heck they want white people, black people, spanish, asian and all sorts of people singing the song. Thats what makes a song a hit - if everyone likes it. Its like Brian is saying that white people shouldn’t be singing Umbrella or sing a cover of it just because a black person sung it first. And thats what pisses me off, because its racist. Its a pop song - anyone can sing it and sing their rendition of it if they want.
It doesn’t mean that Mandy Moore is stealing it from Rihanna. Heck I don’t even like Mandy Moore’s version of it but if she wants to cover it then why not? Especially since it was for a Yahoo thing that asks artists to sing a cover of songs that they like or is somewhat popular.
285.
ballers wife
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
fuck mandy moore, its rihanna hands down!
286.
Suno
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
Wow Marie Digby version is so good. I still prefer Rihanna and haven’t change my mind about Mandy (too bad).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67-rIC0Mn_s
287.
shahron39
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
It took me a while to like the song when I first heard Rhianna sing it, especially the umbrella ella ella eh eh eh bit. Listened to Mandy’s version and felt it lacked something but then listened to Marie Digby’s version and I quite liked that too. But prefer Rhianna’s to be honest. In this instance I felt Brian’s comments were not applicable.
288.
Brian
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
yo I hate this damn song its that ella ella ella part its annoying
289.
Duchess Chanel
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
This sounds like pur egarbage compared to Ri ri…and i love Mandy Moore. It reminds me of the time Alanis Morisette redid My Humps, like this can only be a joke cuz its not gud
290.
iCantStandWhitePeople
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
with all that was said couldn’t manDy come up with some other shit though?
what’s the point of a cover song?
is she still making music?
is this supposedly her come back song?
when i hear this song i can’t help but think about the many Old White America that must love this song.
I also hated how madonna “covered” Marvin Gaye (I want you).
some songs should just be left alone plain and simple.
291.
hotter than
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
I happen to think Mandy Moores version sounds nice, certainly alot nicer than i anticipated.
. I certainly dont think she was singing with the hope that it will do better than Rhiana’s version. Just a cover of a song she likes and there is room for both just a matter of people’s preference
292.
ms dynomite
Saturday, August 18, 2007 /
“If it wasn’t for white people you wouldn’t have THIS BLOG and WE black people wouldn’t have the INTERNET.”
WOOOW some of you are def in the mentality of everything a white person does we need to be grateful for and love..
293.
BrownSugar283 » Blog Archive » My 2 Cents Pt.1
Monday, December 10, 2007 /
[...] who been in the game while. I guest that’s a perk of being on the Roc-A-Fella team. [Inspired by: CL.COM-WHO SANG IT BETTER: RIHANNA VS. MANDY?] Damn Baby!/The State of R&B and [...]
294.
BrownSugar283 » My 2 Cents Pt.1
Sunday, December 16, 2007 /
[...] who been in the game while. I guest that’s a perk of being on the Roc-A-Fella team. [Inspired by: CL.COM-WHO SANG IT BETTER: RIHANNA VS. MANDY?] Damn Baby!/The State of R&B and [...]
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