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When rock stars come collectively and collaborate, they’ll create one thing really memorable. That’s the case for each entry in our checklist of the 30 Biggest Duets in Rock Historical past.
In lots of circumstances, a male/feminine dynamic turned out to be the proper mixture. Ozzy Osbourne and Lita Ford, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Ann Wilson and Mike Reno and Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty are simply a few of the many examples of reverse genders uniting to make a powerful track.
Different basic duets noticed artists crossing style boundaries to create groundbreaking materials, like Aerosmith teaming up with Run DMC and Anthrax becoming a member of forces with Public Enemy.
Then there are the duets that noticed generational acts working side-by-side, like Queen and David Bowie’s timeless monitor “Below Stress,” or Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder coming collectively on Temple of the Dog‘s “Starvation Strike.”
These memorable combos and extra may be discovered under in our rating of the 30 Biggest Duets in Rock Historical past.
30. Bryan Adams and Tina Turner, “It’s Solely Love”
When Bryan Adams reached out to Tina Turner a few collaboration, the Canadian singer was uncertain what sort of response he would get. Turner was again within the highlight due to her comeback album Non-public Dancer, making her one of many largest stars on the planet as soon as extra. To Adams’ delight, she embraced “It’s Solely Love” and agreed to file her half whereas she was in Vancouver. “I keep in mind when she left the studio… I appeared again into the management room, and I noticed the engineers simply kind of stood there and I went in and stated, ‘I hope you bought that on tape,'” Adams later recalled.. “They usually all kind of checked out me and stated ‘Yeah, we obtained it.’ It was virtually like a twister had come by way of the studio and simply blown every thing aside. It was top-of-the-line moments for me ever recording, for certain.”
29. U2 and Inexperienced Day, “The Saints Are Coming”
Within the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005, U2 and Inexperienced Day got here collectively and coated “The Saints Are Coming.” With lyrics about clouds and floods, the tune – which was initially launched by Scottish punk band the Skids in 1979 – felt acceptable for the second. “The Saints Are Coming” quickly was an anthem of resilience, because the New Orleans Saints NFL group adopted it as their theme track. U2 and Inexperienced Day memorably carried out the track in 2006 when the Superdome – which had been closely broken in the course of the hurricane and was additionally used to shelter residents – reopened and hosted Monday Evening Soccer.
28. Ann Wilson and Mike Reno, “Nearly Paradise”
Songwriter Dean Pritchard was tasked with creating tunes for the 1984 movie Footloose. He determined to work with all kinds of collaborators, together with Eric Carmen, greatest often called the frontman of the Raspberries. Collectively, the boys created the movie’s love theme, “Nearly Paradise,” however they wanted the best male-female mixture to deliver the monitor to life. Enter Coronary heart frontwoman Ann Wilson and Loverboy lead singer Mike Reno. Collectively, the vocalists’ intertwined their voices in a hovering, heartfelt ode to romance. “It was the primary of its type,” Wilson later recalled to Songfacts. “It was on the very dawning of the bombastic ballad period. I simply suppose it was a fantastic track. A killer track.”
27. Alice Cooper and Donovan, “Billion Greenback Infants”
It’s the duet the world didn’t understand it wanted: Alice Cooper, the king of shock rock, becoming a member of forces with “Mellow Yellow” crooner Donovan. Impressively, the unlikely pairing works to perfection, thanks largely to the dynamic between Donovan’s falsetto and Coopers demonic growl. “Energy bands in Britain had already realized that to have a singer in an influence rock outfit, you want a singer who can go into falsetto. That is why you’ve got obtained Robert Plant in Zeppelin, Jon Anderson with Sure. They’ve to boost their voices into the excessive vary,” Donovan defined to Songfacts. “Chris Squire of Sure, who was a pal on the time, I stated, ‘Why is it?’ And he stated, ‘Nicely, it’s totally straightforward. If you’d like your voice to be heard, you have to climb above the guitars within the mid-range, or else you will not even hear the vocal.’ And it is true.” “Billion Greenback Infants” turned the title monitor to Cooper’s sixth studio album, and ultimately turned one among his hottest singles.
26. Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston, “It Takes Two”
One of the crucial well-known soul duets in historical past is “It Takes Two” by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston. Launched in 1966, the monitor instantly turned a success due to its upbeat, romantic theme and infectious refrain. Apparently, Gaye and Weston by no means carried out the track collectively – she’d left Motown by the point the only was launched and the 2 by no means reunited onstage. Nonetheless, “It Takes Two” stands as a testomony to their pure chemistry collectively. The tune would later be coated by a variety of artists, together with Rod Stewart and Tina Turner in 1990.
25. Earth Wind & Hearth and the Feelings, “Boogie Wonderland”
Soul group the Feelings related with Maurice White within the mid-’70s. The Earth, Wind & Fire chief produced a number of of their albums and developed a fruitful working relationship with the band. So, when Earth, Wind & Hearth hit the studio to file their 1979 single “Boogie Wonderland,” the Feelings had been invited to contribute vocals. The result’s dancefloor perfection, however not like lots of the period’s disco hits, “Boogie Wonderland”’s subject material was surprisingly darkish. “It isn’t a cheerful track in any respect,” songwriter Allee Willis explained in 2008. “It is actually about somebody getting ready to self destruction who goes to those golf equipment to attempt to discover extra, however is a minimum of conscious of the truth that if there’s one thing like real love, that’s one thing that would type of drag them out of the abyss.”
24. Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne, “Shut My Eyes Eternally”
It was a collaboration that was by no means meant to occur. Within the ‘80s, Ozzy Osbourne and former Runaway Lita Ford had been buddies, thanks largely to Ford’s supervisor, Sharon Osbourne. One night time the rockers had been ingesting and throwing round track concepts, once they unexpectedly got here up with a success. “Shut My Eyes Eternally” is a hauntingly catchy energy ballad, with Ford and Osbourne’s distinctive vocals every taking turns within the highlight. The only reached No. 8 on the Billboard Sizzling 100, making it the best charting track in each of the singers’ respective solo careers.
23. Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, “Say Say Say”
Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson teamed up for 3 totally different duos within the ‘80s, however our favourite of the bunch is “Say Say Say.” The monitor options hallmarks of each males’s distinctive musical skills – McCartney’s clean pop supply and penchant for melody, mixed with Jackson’s soulful and emotive vocals. George Martin produced the monitor, including additional depth to the tune with funky horns and a driving bass line.
22. John Mellencamp and Me’Shell Ndegeocello, “Wild Evening”
In 1994, John Mellencamp and Me’Shell Ndegeocello had been related by way of a mutual pal. The 2 had little in frequent – Mellencamp was the weathered rock veteran, whereas Ndegeocello was a soul singer beginning her profession. Surprisingly, they clicked, and their chemistry shone by way of on their cowl of Van Morrison’s “Wild Evening.” The track turned a success, peaking at No. 4 of the Billboard Sizzling 100 and stays Mellencamp’s closing Prime 10 hit.
21. Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell, “Our Home”
The model of “Our Home” that the majority followers are acquainted with was recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and included of their 1970 LP Deja Vu. However this lesser-known model featured Graham Nash, who wrote the tune, dueting with the girl who impressed it, Joni Mitchell. The 2 had been a pair on the time, and Nash was struck by a remarkably regular day amidst the rock stars’ usually chaotic lives. “I assumed, ‘What an extraordinary second,’” Nash later recalled. “Right here I’m lighting the fireplace for my outdated girl and he or she’s placing flowers on this vase that she simply purchased. And I sat down at Joan’s piano and an hour later, ‘Our Home’ was written.” The Nash and Mitchell duet was an early demo of the track and wasn’t formally launched till the Deja Vu fiftieth anniversary version in 2021.
20. Elton John and Kiki Dee, “Do not Go Breaking My Coronary heart”
Impressed by the well-known Motown duets of the ‘60s, Elton John and Kiki Dee determined to attempt their hand at a male/feminine duet of their very own. Naturally, John dealt with a lot of the track’s development, however he enlisted Bernie Taupin for lyrical inspiration. The songwriter responded with the road “Don’t go breaking my coronary heart,” a refrain he referred to as “simplistic with out being overly trite.” Equal elements catchy and campy, the tune struck a chord with listeners all over the place. “Don’t Go Breaking My Coronary heart” hit No. 1 in eight totally different nations, together with the U.Ok. and America.
19. Prince and Sheena Easton, “U Bought the Look”
The most important hit from Prince’s 1987 album Signal o’ the Occasions was really a duet – not that you would inform from the liner notes. Scottish singer Sheena Easton is closely featured on the monitor, and in its music video, but didn’t obtain credit score for her involvement. The explanation, in addition to a Prince energy play, may come right down to how far alongside the track was by the point Easton obtained concerned. “‘U Bought The Look’ was a monitor he’d mainly completed for himself,” Easton defined to the Windy Metropolis Occasions in 2012. “It was only a Prince monitor. He stated, ‘Do you need to simply are available in and sing some backup vocals on the choruses?’ So, I went into the studio, and since I did not know I used to be singing towards him, I used to be in every single place – and he stated he type of appreciated that, so he expanded it right into a duet.” No matter credit, there’s no denying the tune’s catchiness. “U Bought the Look” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 and marked one other triumph in Prince’s prolific profession.
18. U2 and BB King, “When Love Involves City”
Lengthy earlier than they turned one of many largest bands on the planet, U2 was a gaggle of Irish lads who had been smitten with the blues. Among the many artists they admired was B.B. King, the vastly influential blues guitarist and singer. In 1987, U2 caught one among King’s performances in Dublin and met him backstage after the present. The musicians struck up a mutual admiration and ultimately collaborated on the monitor “When Love Involves City.” U2 do an admirable job maintaining with the blues legend on the monitor, however King’s distinctive wail and masterful guitar taking part in rule the day. Launched on 1988’s Rattle and Hum, “When Love Involves City” stays an incomparable a part of U2’s catalog.
17. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, “Ain’t Nothing Like The Actual Factor”
Within the ‘60s, Motown perfected their duet formulation by combining songwriting craftsmanship with distinctive vocal skills. None proved to be a greater musical pairing than Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. The duo teamed for a number of timeless tracks, together with 1968’s “Ain’t Nothing Just like the Actual Factor.” A heartfelt ballad celebrating pure love, the tune hit No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. Spoiler alert: It’s not the one Gaye/Terrell duet to earn a spot on our checklist.
16. Anthrax and Public Enemy, “Convey the Noise”
When hip-hop group Public Enemy burst on the scene in late ‘80s, they discovered an unlikely fan in Scott Ian. Although their genres had been completely totally different, the Anthrax guitarist acknowledged that Chuck D and Taste Flav delivered aggression and condemnation of authorities in the way in which that many steel acts did. When Public Enemy name-dropped Anthrax on their 1988 single “Convey the Noise,” Ian got here up with the concept to cowl the monitor. He recorded a demo of the instrumental and despatched it to Chuck D, who was reluctant to the concept at first. He ultimately warmed up and gave his blessing to the brand new model. Launched in 1991, the Anthrax rendition of “Convey the Noise” featured vocals lifted from the unique masters (a painstaking course of on the time). The track turned a success and introduced each teams to new audiences. Public Enemy and Anthrax even launched a joint tour collectively within the wake of the only’s success.
15. Bob Dylan and Johnny Money, “Lady from the North Nation”
Two people icons got here collectively on 1969’s “Lady From the North Nation.” Bob Dylan had lengthy been a fan of Johnny Money, and when the 2 lastly met he was excited to find the Man in Black was additionally keen on his work. Because it turned out, Johnny Cash recurrently listened to Dylan’s 1963 LP The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, which featured the unique model of “Lady From the North Nation.” So when the 2 musicians obtained collectively throughout periods for Dylan’s Nashville Skyline album, it was a pure option to re-record. Dylan delivered his vocals in folk-crooner vogue, which properly contrasted Money’s deep nation twang.
14. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, “Please Learn the Letter”
Robert Plant initially launched “Please Learn the Letter” on his 1988 album with Jimmy Page, Strolling Into Clarksdale. The track was revisited in 2007 when the previous Led Zeppelin frontman joined forces with nation singer Alison Krauss. Collectively, the duo reshaped “Please Learn the Letter” a craving bluegrass tune, chronicling the top of a relationship. Plant later stated the track “hadn’t reached its true potential” till he and Krauss collaborated on it. The monitor went on to win Report of the 12 months on the 2009 Grammy Awards.
13. Eddie Cash and Ronnie Spector, “Take Me Residence Tonight”
When songwriters Mick Leeson and Peter Vale offered Eddie Money with the tune “Take Me Residence Tonight,” the singer was drawn to the road “Identical to Ronnie stated … ‘Be my little child,‘” interpolating the Ronettes’ 1963 hit “Be My Child.” After agreeing to file the track, Cash referred to as Ronnie Spector – who at this level had retired from music – and insisted she sing on the monitor. “He referred to as me and stated, ‘Ronnie, I would like your assist with this. It wants you to be on it,'” Spector later recalled. “I stated, ‘Child, I do not try this anymore,’ however he was insistent.” The mix proved excellent. “Take Me Residence Tonight” reached No. 4 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 and gave Cash the highest-charting single of his profession. It additionally spurred a comeback for Spector, who returned to recording and performing as soon as extra.
12. Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, “Don’t Give Up”
Few artists may go toe-to-toe with Peter Gabriel when it comes to expertise and creative creativity – Kate Bush is one among them. The acclaimed songstress joined forces with the previous Genesis frontman on his 1986 single “Don’t Give Up.” The transferring tune provided each singers the possibility to show their emotive model of vocals. “The delicate therapy Kate gave our give-and-take on that track was gratifying, as a result of it isn’t only a track a few lady supporting a person in a demanding relationship,” Gabriel defined to Spin in 1986. “With out a local weather of shallowness, it is inconceivable to operate.”
11. Stevie Nicks and Don Henley, “Leather-based and Lace”
Stevie Nicks initially wrote “Leather-based and Lace” for Waylon Jennings to sing together with his spouse, Jessi. Nevertheless by the point he was able to file it, the couple had cut up up. In the meantime, Nicks, who labored on the track with the Eagles’ Don Henley, felt a private obligation to the tune. “I labored very laborious making an attempt to clarify what it was wish to be in love with somebody in the identical enterprise, and the right way to method coping with one another,” she defined within the liner notes to her TimeSpace compilation album. “It is most likely the toughest factor on the planet to do as a result of it falls out of your fingers and into the fingers of the world, which tends to need you to not be capable to deal with it.” Nicks opted to file the track with Henley, with whom she was on-and-off romantically concerned with. “Leather-based and Lace” turned a Prime 10 hit, and Nicks later described it as “one of the crucial particular love songs that I might ever write.”
10. Invoice Withers and Grover Washington Jr., “Simply the Two of Us”
Not a duet within the standard sense, 1980’s “Simply the Two of Us” was a collaboration between saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. and vocalist Bill Withers. It was Washington who penned the tune alongside producer Ralph MacDonald, who took the monitor to Withers in hopes of getting the singer onboard. Withers agreed, however he modified a few of the lyrics to higher go well with his fashion. On the tune, every man will get his time to shine – Withers’ clean vocals weave the narrative, whereas Washington’s soulful solos add to the romantic temper. “Simply the Two of Us” turned an enormous success, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 and incomes a Grammy Award for Greatest R&B Track.
9. The Pogues and Kristy MacColl, “Fairytale of New York”
It took greater than two years for “Fairytale of New York” to come back collectively. Initially, Jem Finer, the Pogues’ banjo participant, wrote the track a few sailor lacking his spouse at Christmas. Finer’s personal spouse informed him the idea was corny and as a substitute recommended he give attention to a pair struggling in the course of the vacation season. Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan then added his personal spin, combining new lyrics with Finer’s to create the ultimate model of the track. Nonetheless, the back-and-forth nature of “Fairytale of New York” required a feminine voice to steadiness MacGowan’s. That’s when the Pogues referred to as on singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl to contribute to the tune. The ensuing duet has turn out to be one of the crucial beloved fashionable Christmas songs.
8. Simon & Garfunkel, “The Sound of Silence”
We simply may’ve littered this checklist with an assortment of songs from Simon & Garfunkel, given their place as one of the crucial celebrated duos in rock historical past. As a substitute, we opted to indicate some restraint and easily choose our favourite. “The Sound of Silence” was initially launched on Simon & Garfunkel’s 1964 debut album, however obtained little consideration. It wasn’t till the tune was reworked and launched because the title monitor from their 1966 LP that it turned a success. With somber emotional resonance and beautiful interweaving of vocal harmonies, “The Sound of Silence” turned a benchmark within the historical past of folks rock, in addition to Simon & Garfunkel’s first No. 1 single.
7. Temple of the Canine, “Starvation Strike”
Eddie Vedder had solely been in Seattle for a handful of days when he discovered himself within the studio with a number of of town’s rising grunge stars. Soundgarden was engaged on a challenge with the previous members of Mom Love Bone, the group which preceded Pearl Jam. Vedder was initially simply there to look at the session earlier than rehearsing together with his new band, however inspiration struck as he noticed Chris Cornell. “About two-thirds of the way in which by way of, he was having to chop off the one line, and begin the opposite,” Vedder later recalled. “I am not now, and definitely wasn’t then, confident or cocky, however I may hear what he was making an attempt to do, so I walked as much as the mic — which I am actually stunned I did — and sang the opposite half.” “We obtained by way of a pair choruses of him doing that and all of a sudden the sunshine bulb got here on in my head, this man’s voice is wonderful for these low elements,” Cornell confirmed. “Historical past wrote itself after that, that turned the only.” With two of grunge’s foremost voices main the way in which, “Starvation Strike” turned a robust image of the period. It reached No. 4 on the Mainstream Rock chart and helped propel Temple of the Canine to platinum gross sales.
6. Sonny and Cher, “I Bought You Babe”
“I Bought You Babe” is actually a polarizing monitor, with some adoring the ode to like, whereas others dismissing it as flowery dribble. If you happen to didn’t suppose a lot of the track the primary time you heard it, you’re not alone. Cher wasn’t initially a fan the primary time Sonny Bono performed her the track. “Sonny woke me up in the midst of the night time to come back in the place the piano was, in the lounge, and sing it,” she recalled to Billboard. “And I did not prefer it and simply stated, ‘OK, I will sing it after which I am going again to mattress.'” In fact, “I Bought You Babe” turned Sonny and Cher’s largest hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 and changing into a popular culture phenomenon.
5. Led Zeppelin and Sandy Denny, “Battle of Evermore”
Within the historical past of Led Zeppelin, the band solely as soon as introduced in a visitor vocalist. That may be Sandy Denny, singer within the British people group Bridgeport Conference, who was featured on Led Zep’s 1971 tune “The Battle of Evermore.” Impressed by Scottish historical past, in addition to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Robert Plant created a folksy, medieval-styled tune that addressed the battle between good and evil. Plant’s voice would function the track’s narrator, whereas Denny represented a city crier. “For me to sing with Sandy Denny was nice. We had been all the time good buddies with that interval of Fairport Conference,” Plant recalled to Uncut journal in 1995. “Sandy and I had been buddies, and it was the obvious factor to ask her to sing on ‘The Battle of Evermore’. If it suffered from naivete and tweeness—I used to be solely 23—it makes up for it within the cohesion of the voices and the taking part in.”
4. Queen and David Bowie, “Below Stress”
One of the crucial iconic duets in rock historical past virtually didn’t occur. When David Bowie and Queen obtained collectively, the legendary musicians took a “let’s see what occurs” method. Step by step, the track began to take form, particularly as soon as John Deacon delivered the now-famous bass half. Bowie endorsed an avant-garde method to lyrics, ultimately discovering the the path for “Individuals on Streets” (because the track was initially referred to as. Whereas Freddie Mercury acquiesced to a lot of Bowie’s creative concepts, he didn’t change his vocal method. Because of this, the Queen frontman delivers his traces in his distinctive operatic method, whereas Bowie affords extra of a baritone growl. That dynamic is an enormous a part of what makes “Below Stress” work, as each singers lean into what they’re good at, fairly than making an attempt to outdo the opposite. Although a dispute over the ultimate combine threatened to maintain “Below Stress” on the shelf, it was launched in October 1981. It has been one among rock’s most celebrated duets ever since.
3. Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty, “Cease Draggin’ My Coronary heart Round”
Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty already had a mutual respect for one another because the ‘80s dawned. The Fleetwood Mac songstress initially wished Petty to supply her debut solo effort, however the job ultimately went to Jimmy Iovine. As a substitute, Petty gave Nicks a track he’d written referred to as “Cease Draggin’ My Coronary heart Round.” “I wasn’t used to doing different individuals’s songs, so I did not actually like the concept at first, however I liked Tom Petty, so I agreed to attempt,” Nicks later recalled. “So we went into the studio and sang it dwell, collectively. I used to be utterly entranced, and I immediately fell into love with the track. Duets had been the issues I liked essentially the most… perhaps this was a second starting. And we’d sing like nobody else, and no person else would ever sing like us.”
2. Aerosmith and Run DMC, “Stroll This Approach”
By way of cultural impression, few duets maintain a candle to Aerosmith and Run DMC becoming a member of forces on “Stroll This Approach.” Within the mid-’80s, rap was nonetheless seen as a Black style, with few predicting it may ever cross into the mainstream. Nonetheless, “Stroll This Approach”’s energy wasn’t one-sided. Sure, it introduced Run DMC to audiences who had been in any other case unaware of the trio, and opened doorways for rap normally, nevertheless it additionally reinvigorated Aerosmith. The group had fallen out of the limelight for a number of years, however the duet sparked a mainstream comeback.
1. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, “Ain’t No Mountain Excessive Sufficient”
It’s thought to be one of many best songs ever recorded, an uplifting pop basic concerning the energy of affection. But, “Ain’t No Mountain Excessive Sufficient” wasn’t initially conceived as a duet. When Motown songwriters Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson initially gave the tune to Tammi Terrell, she was going to file it on her personal. “After Tammi recorded her vocal, the producers determined the only can be stronger as a duet,” Paul Riser, Motown’s musical arranger and trombonist, later recalled. “Months earlier, Marvin had a success with Kim Weston on ‘It Takes Two.’ So Marvin was added to Tammi’s file to assist its odds on the charts. Marvin was wonderful. He overdubbed his vocal so it wrapped round hers, as if the 2 of them had been in love, singing to one another within the studio.” Generations of listeners have since been swept up by “Ain’t No Mountain Excessive Sufficient.” The only was a No. 1 hit and 1999 it was added to the Grammy Corridor of Fame.
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