Best Duets of All Time - Top 10 Greatest Classic Hits
by Surya
Updated Apr 01, 2023
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Duets are musical compositions that involve two vocalists singing together, either in harmony or in a call-and-response fashion. Throughout the history of music, duets have been a popular format for musicians to collaborate and create beautiful and memorable songs. Some of the most iconic and timeless songs in music history have been duets, featuring legendary artists and rising stars.
From classic ballads to upbeat pop tunes, the best duets of all time span across different genres and eras. They have captured the hearts and minds of music lovers around the world, and continue to be celebrated and enjoyed today. Whether it's the soulful sounds of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell or the dynamic energy of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, there is something for everyone in the world of duets.
In this article, we will explore some of the best duets of all time, examining the artistry and creativity that went into their creation and the impact they have had on the music industry and popular culture as a whole.
10. Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, “Girl From the North Country”
Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash met at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival and soon formed a tight friendship, culminating in February of 1969 when they spent a few days recording together at Columbia's Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee.vBob Dylan and Johnny Cash met at the 1964 Newport Folk FestivalvThey spent a few days recording together at Columbia's Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee.
9. Sonny and Cher, “I Got You Babe”
Less than a year after Bob Dylan released his caustic "It Ain't Me Babe," Sonny Bono decided to write what's essentially a response song."I Got You Babe" was Sonny Bono's response to Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe"
8. Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder (Temple of the Dog), “Hunger Strike”
Pearl Jam's early history is so convoluted that it's difficult to properly explain without a powerpoint presentation or at least a series of flowcharts and a laser pointer. Simply stated, some of the members played in the Seattle group Mother Love Bone until their frontman Andrew Wood died of a heroin overdose in 1990. Some members of Pearl Jam played in the Seattle group Mother Love Bone Andrew Wood, the frontman of Mother Love Bone, died of a heroin overdose in 1990
They recruited a young singer named Eddie Vedder and renamed themselves Pearl Jam, and around this exact same time Chris Cornell wrote a series of songs dedicated to Wood. He cut them with Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron and members of Pearl Jam under the name Temple of the Dog.
7. Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, “Islands in the Stream”
The Bees Gees were just about the least cool group in the planet by 1983. Disco was most assuredly dead and they seemed like fossils from another era. The Bee Gees were considered uncool by 1983. Disco was dead and they seemed like fossils from another era
This posed a problem when the group wrote a sure-fire hit like "Islands in the Stream." They could either release it on their own and watch it sink like a stone, or they could give it to two huge stars like Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. The gambit worked and the song became a monster hit.
6. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
Real-life couple Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson wrote "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" in 1966, which was later recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell as the first of their many duets. Terrell was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away at just 24 years old, after a brief but amazing run of hits.
5. Elton John and Kiki Dee, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”
Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" for Elton's 1976 LP Blue Moves, and enlisted English pop singer Kiki Dee to sing the duet with him. The song became a hit and has been performed with various artists over the years.
4. Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, “Don’t Give Up”
In 1986, Peter Gabriel released his album So which featured the hit singles "In Your Eyes," "Sledgehammer," "Red Rain," and "Big Time." The fifth single, "Don't Give Up," was a duet with Kate Bush and has since been covered by other artists such as Alicia Keys and Willie Nelson.
3. Stevie Nicks and Don Henley, “Leather and Lace”
Stevie Nicks and Don Henley dated in the 1970s and remained friends after their breakup. Henley agreed to duet with Nicks on "Leather and Lace," a track originally written for Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. The song reached Number Six on the Hot 100, proving that they didn't need their respective bands to have hits.
2. Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”
For her first solo album Bella Donna, Stevie Nicks recruited Tom Petty's song "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," originally written for the Heartbreakers. The song became a hit, reaching Number Three on the Hot 100, and the two artists performed it together on various occasions.
1. Queen and David Bowie, “Under Pressure”
In 1981, David Bowie went to Montreux's Mountain Studio to record a track with Queen, which resulted in the iconic song "Under Pressure." There is still a dispute over who exactly came up with the iconic bass line, but the song became a worldwide hit. Although they never performed it together live, Queen and Bowie's sets immediately followed each other at Live Aid.
Best Duets of All Time - FAQs
The recent collaboration between Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones has sparked interest in the topic of great duets in music history.
Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, “Girl From the North Country”