2025 NAACP Image Awards: 5 Luther Vandross Covers So Good You Might Forget They're Not His Originals
Luther Vandross was a masterful interpreter of music, transforming every song he touched into something undeniably his own.
Whether he was soulfully reimagining a classic ballad like “A House Is Not a Home” or a velvety-smooth rendition of an R&B favorite like “Always and Forever,” his covers were so rich and heartfelt that they often felt like originals.
Fans of the late icon have much to celebrate, as the singer’s latest documentary, “Luther: Never Too Much”—which highlights his life and legacy—has been nominated for Outstanding Documentary (Film) at the NAACP Image Awards 2025.
It faces some powerhouse contenders, including “Stamped from the Beginning,” “The Space Race,” “Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games,” and “Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story,” making this category one to watch.
To see who takes home the prestigious honor, be sure to tune in to the NAACP Image Awards 2025 when it airs live on February 22, 2025, at 8 PM on BET.
“Endless Love” with Mariah Carey
Original by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
“Endless Love” was already iconic when Lionel Richie and Diana Ross recorded it.
However, when Luther teamed up with Mariah Carey for a remake over a decade after its 1981 release, they brought a fresh, passionate energy to the ballad. Their powerhouse vocals and chemistry made it a highlight of the 1990s, proving that some classics can be reimagined just as beautifully.
“A House Is Not a Home”
Original by Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick’s version of “A House Is Not a Home,” written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, was already a classic, but Luther took it to another level.
His 1981 interpretation, featured on “Never Too Much,” stretched the song into a nearly seven-minute vocal masterpiece, filled with longing and heartbreak. His live performances of the track, including the legendary NAACP Image Awards rendition, cemented it as one of his signature songs. Even Dionne herself acknowledged that Luther made it his own.
“Creepin’”
Original by: Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder’s “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” introduced “Creepin’” as a dreamy, jazz-infused love song. Luther, however, transformed it into an intimate, late-night R&B groove on the 1985 project, “The Night I Fell in Love.”
His velvety vocals and lush harmonies made it even more seductive, proving he could reinterpret a legend’s song without losing its essence.
- advertisement
“If This World Were Mine” with Cheryl Lynn
Original by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Luther and Cheryl Lynn’s duet gave the Motown classic, initially sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, a modern R&B upgrade, turning it into a slow-burning love song perfect for quiet storm radio. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their version is now as beloved as the original.
“Always and Forever”
Original by: Heatwave
Originally recorded by Heatwave in 1976, “Always and Forever” became one of the most cherished love songs of its time. While the original is a classic, Luther Vandross’ 1994 rendition on his Songs album took it to an entirely new level.
Luther’s ability to take an already beloved song and make it his own was unmatched, and his rendition of “Always and Forever” is one of the most stunning examples of that gift.
Watch the NAACP Image Awards live on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 8:00 pm ET/PT on BET.
