Spinner.com's Top 10 Best Duets Ever - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 10-21-2008, 01:27 PM

10. Easy Lover (1984)
Phil Collins and Philip Bailey

Somehow, Easy Lover weaves shameless cheese into brilliant gold. One reason is the decision by the two Phils to replace the horns they each typically sing over with badass electric guitars. Another is the pair's infectious enthusiasm -- which is odd, as they're singing about a dangerous woman who puts men on their knees. On second thought, their enthusiasm makes perfect sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xY_cPenSs

9. This Mess We're In (2000)
Thom Yorke and PJ Harvey

Every rock snob's favorite duet of the past decade is the centerpiece of Harvey's Mercury Prize–winning Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. This pairing has an air of inevitability to it, from Harvey's trademark guitar strum and the Radiohead frontman's pitch-perfect falsetto to the song's tale of doomed love. It's what you'd expect: profoundly gloomy and impossibly beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2BGW0BsHW0

8. Under Pressure (1981)
David Bowie and Freddie Mercury (Queen)

Bowie and Mercury: a collaboration so perfect not even Vanilla Ice could tarnish its legacy. Although that distinctive bass line has become deservedly famous, it's the pairing of two of rock's most dramatic voices that sets this song apart. Born out of an impromptu jam session, it evolved into one of the most inspiring musical moments of the 1980s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faUuwRDRrqA

7. Candy (1990)
Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson

Iggy went through a "radio-friendly" phase in the late '80s and early '90s, culminating in his inclusion on the Pretty Woman soundtrack and this unlikely pairing with this B-52s vocalist. The tale of an ex-con reaching out to his lost love after 20 years, Candy makes brilliant use of Iggy's sly, world-weary baritone and Pierson's usual sunny tones. The result is an unheralded modern-rock classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4v4DXLqm48

6. Some Velvet Morning (1967)
Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood

Wading into deep waters (by Nancy Sinatra standards), Hazlewood's psychedelic composition weaves references to sex, drugs, daffodils and Greek mythology into a baroque, incomprehensible masterpiece that's as cool as it is strange. The oblique dialogue between a man and an ethereal angel/lover/wood nymph has had rock fans scratching their heads for decades.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbadg5BAb1E

5. Interlude (1994)
Siouxsie Sioux and Morrissey

Goth queen Siouxsie and "Pope of Mope" Morrissey got together and created a ballad so gorgeously melancholy it makes Love Will Tear Us Apart sound like Sussudio. Then a "falling out" between the moody duo led them both to choose staying home and pouting over promoting the single. Despite their best efforts, Interlude was among the biggest hits for either artist that year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjUKAETwDKg

4. Je t'Aime ... Moi Non Plus (1969)
Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg

Gainsbourg, France's enfant terrible of sleaze and seduction, originally recorded the overtly sexual Je t'aime ... with his then-lover, Brigitte Bardot, who blocked its release, as she was still married. This version was recorded a year later with his next lover, English actress Jane Birkin. Scandalous even by French standards, this deliciously dirty single peaked at an appropriate No. 69 in the U.S.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHiMDB19Dyc

3. I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By (1995)
Mary J. Blige and Method Man

The unlikely pairing of Blige and the Wu-Tang MC pull the classic Motown spirit of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (not to mention the original chorus from their You're All I Need to Get By) into the hip-hop era --and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance. The key? Subtlety. Unlike the majority of R&B/rap collaborations, this one keeps it smooth and sultry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfuRCnWV698

2. Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing (1968)
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

Choosing the "best" of Gaye's duets with Terrell is a little ridiculous: It's like crowning the world's best ice cream flavor. They remain the gold standard by which all other duets are judged. Let's just say that Real Thing barely edges Ain't No Mountain High Enough as the signature Gaye/Terrell song. Fittingly, both were written by another future power duo: Ashford & Simpson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEcLuVhRbkU

1. Fairtayle of New York (1987)
Kirsty MacColl and Shane McGowan (The Pogues)

A guy in the drunk tank reminiscing about his junkie girlfriend doesn't exactly scream Merry Christmas, but McGowan and MacColl invest this yuletide tale of love in the gutter with so much heart it's hard not to get choked up. Following a reissue in the wake of MacColl's tragic death in 2000, the song has routinely topped Best Christmas Song polls in the U.K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAwK9juhhY

catlover79 · 10-21-2008, 01:30 PM

Some interesting picks - Under Pressure is one of my favorite pop duets as well.

Zoneboy · 10-21-2008, 01:51 PM

That list is nothing but a joke, I like "Easy Lover" but it's not that good. Queen and David Bowie should've been ranked higher. As great as they were together, I don't think Marvin and Tammy's song was good enough for #2 and The #1 choice just leaves me shaking my head wondering what the heck were they thinking. The rest of the ones on the list I've never heard so maybe I'm being a little unfair but I've definitely heard better duets than these.

MusicJunkie · 10-21-2008, 02:23 PM

I wouldn't say Easy Lover is one of the best ever but I like that Phil Collins made a best list for a change, since it seems like ever since Tarzan, people have been dismissing his entire catalog as crap when the same people loved him in the mid-80's.

MickeyMac · 10-22-2008, 04:41 PM

The Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell song, and "Some Velvet Morning" were the only good song on that list.

Nighthawk76 · 10-22-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

That list is nothing but a joke, I like "Easy Lover" but it's not that good. Queen and David Bowie should've been ranked higher. As great as they were together, I don't think Marvin and Tammy's song was good enough for #2 and The #1 choice just leaves me shaking my head wondering what the heck were they thinking. The rest of the ones on the list I've never heard so maybe I'm being a little unfair but I've definitely heard better duets than these.

I actually think that "Easy Lover" is a great duet. On the other hand, since I dislike both Bowie and Queen (I think Freddy Mercury was a dreadful singer) I would rank "Under Pressure" as one of the worst duets of all time. That song just gets under my skin.

Wreckless · 10-22-2008, 04:54 PM

Most of these I do NOT agree with. Here are some of my favs. off the top of my head.

Eminem & Dido- Stan
Phil Collins & Bone Thugs n Harmony- Take Me Home
Aerosmith & Run DMC- Walk This Way
Any Nat King Cole song with his daughter is great
Any Elton & Billy Joel Collab is fantastic, especially Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

More to come...

MusicJunkie · 10-22-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waking Up Laughing

I actually think that "Easy Lover" is a great duet. On the other hand, since I dislike both Bowie and Queen (I think Freddy Mercury was a dreadful singer) I would rank "Under Pressure" as one of the worst duets of all time. That song just gets under my skin.

well, I guess we're enemies now

Queen are one of the best bands of all time (I'd rank just slightly below The Beatles) and Bowie deserves to be in Elvis' league as a male solo artist.

Give both a chance beyond the Greatest Hits albums, if you can make a turnaround on Billy Joel and Prince, you'd probably love Queen and Bowie as well. It reminds me of Stevie Wonder. I didn't care much for him when I only knew his hits, but then I went to the studio albums and became addicted.

Nighthawk76 · 10-23-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusicJunkie

well, I guess we're enemies now

Queen are one of the best bands of all time (I'd rank just slightly below The Beatles) and Bowie deserves to be in Elvis' league as a male solo artist.

Give both a chance beyond the Greatest Hits albums, if you can make a turnaround on Billy Joel and Prince, you'd probably love Queen and Bowie as well. It reminds me of Stevie Wonder. I didn't care much for him when I only knew his hits, but then I went to the studio albums and became addicted.

That's a good point you make about Billy and Prince, John. Now when I listen to those guys, I can't imagine that I ever disliked them.

MusicJunkie · 10-23-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waking Up Laughing

That's a good point you make about Billy and Prince, John. Now when I listen to those guys, I can't imagine that I ever disliked them.

well, I can see where Queen can be a little too theatrical and over the top for a lot of people to truly tolerate outside of the major hits, but I loved Freddie's voice so that probably has a lot to do with it, and I won't support the new "Queen + Paul Rodgers" project because Queen without Freddie (and not just that, John Deacon isn't participating either) is not Queen. Bowie, I always felt never truly got his commercial due stateside because he is a far more eclectic and innovative artist than one might think when all they hear on the radio is Let's Dance and Changes. To me, the two of them collaborating at that point in time was magical since IMO neither Queen nor Bowie could do any wrong in 1981.

Another duet that I am surprised was missing is Scream by Michael and Janet. It's generally seen as one of Michael's greatest "latter career" moments and the video ranks with one of his best, and Janet only made it even better.

JamesG · 10-23-2008, 03:48 PM

Since we're taking about Queen, what did you think of that album Barcelona that Freddie did with Spanish singer Montserrat Caballé?

How was that for a duet project?

catlover79 · 10-23-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Since we're taking about Queen, what did you think of that album Barcelona that Freddie did with Spanish singer Montserrat Caballé?

How was that for a duet project?

It was very exciting - Freddie Mercury was definitely a singer who was very innovative and always willing to try something new.

Purffin · 10-27-2008, 02:25 PM

I like the one with Mary J. and Method Man

phoebe7165 · 10-28-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waking Up Laughing

(I think Freddy Mercury was a dreadful singer)

I have never heard anybody say that EVER!! Oh well, everybody's entitled to their opinion.

I was really surprised when I saw that he smoked. As much as I love Freddie, it's a turn-off for me when I see a singer who smokes.

Penny Lane · 10-28-2008, 10:12 AM

"Some Velvet Morning". I love that song!

I also love" Say Say Say "by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson

10-21-2008, 01:51 PM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,408	That list is nothing but a joke, I like "Easy Lover" but it's not that good. Queen and David Bowie should've been ranked higher. As great as they were together, I don't think Marvin and Tammy's song was good enough for #2 and The #1 choice just leaves me shaking my head wondering what the heck were they thinking. The rest of the ones on the list I've never heard so maybe I'm being a little unfair but I've definitely heard better duets than these.
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10-27-2008, 02:25 PM	#13
Purffin Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 25, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 315	I like the one with Mary J. and Method Man
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10-28-2008, 10:12 AM	#15
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,260	"Some Velvet Morning". I love that song! I also love" Say Say Say "by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
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10-21-2008, 01:27 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	Spinner.com's Top 10 Best Duets Ever 10. Easy Lover (1984) Phil Collins and Philip Bailey Somehow, Easy Lover weaves shameless cheese into brilliant gold. One reason is the decision by the two Phils to replace the horns they each typically sing over with badass electric guitars. Another is the pair's infectious enthusiasm -- which is odd, as they're singing about a dangerous woman who puts men on their knees. On second thought, their enthusiasm makes perfect sense. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xY_cPenSs 9. This Mess We're In (2000) Thom Yorke and PJ Harvey Every rock snob's favorite duet of the past decade is the centerpiece of Harvey's Mercury Prize–winning Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. This pairing has an air of inevitability to it, from Harvey's trademark guitar strum and the Radiohead frontman's pitch-perfect falsetto to the song's tale of doomed love. It's what you'd expect: profoundly gloomy and impossibly beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2BGW0BsHW0 8. Under Pressure (1981) David Bowie and Freddie Mercury (Queen) Bowie and Mercury: a collaboration so perfect not even Vanilla Ice could tarnish its legacy. Although that distinctive bass line has become deservedly famous, it's the pairing of two of rock's most dramatic voices that sets this song apart. Born out of an impromptu jam session, it evolved into one of the most inspiring musical moments of the 1980s. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faUuwRDRrqA 7. Candy (1990) Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson Iggy went through a "radio-friendly" phase in the late '80s and early '90s, culminating in his inclusion on the Pretty Woman soundtrack and this unlikely pairing with this B-52s vocalist. The tale of an ex-con reaching out to his lost love after 20 years, Candy makes brilliant use of Iggy's sly, world-weary baritone and Pierson's usual sunny tones. The result is an unheralded modern-rock classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4v4DXLqm48 6. Some Velvet Morning (1967) Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood Wading into deep waters (by Nancy Sinatra standards), Hazlewood's psychedelic composition weaves references to sex, drugs, daffodils and Greek mythology into a baroque, incomprehensible masterpiece that's as cool as it is strange. The oblique dialogue between a man and an ethereal angel/lover/wood nymph has had rock fans scratching their heads for decades. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbadg5BAb1E 5. Interlude (1994) Siouxsie Sioux and Morrissey Goth queen Siouxsie and "Pope of Mope" Morrissey got together and created a ballad so gorgeously melancholy it makes Love Will Tear Us Apart sound like Sussudio. Then a "falling out" between the moody duo led them both to choose staying home and pouting over promoting the single. Despite their best efforts, Interlude was among the biggest hits for either artist that year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjUKAETwDKg 4. Je t'Aime ... Moi Non Plus (1969) Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg Gainsbourg, France's enfant terrible of sleaze and seduction, originally recorded the overtly sexual Je t'aime ... with his then-lover, Brigitte Bardot, who blocked its release, as she was still married. This version was recorded a year later with his next lover, English actress Jane Birkin. Scandalous even by French standards, this deliciously dirty single peaked at an appropriate No. 69 in the U.S. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHiMDB19Dyc 3. I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By (1995) Mary J. Blige and Method Man The unlikely pairing of Blige and the Wu-Tang MC pull the classic Motown spirit of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (not to mention the original chorus from their You're All I Need to Get By) into the hip-hop era --and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance. The key? Subtlety. Unlike the majority of R&B/rap collaborations, this one keeps it smooth and sultry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfuRCnWV698 2. Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing (1968) Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell Choosing the "best" of Gaye's duets with Terrell is a little ridiculous: It's like crowning the world's best ice cream flavor. They remain the gold standard by which all other duets are judged. Let's just say that Real Thing barely edges Ain't No Mountain High Enough as the signature Gaye/Terrell song. Fittingly, both were written by another future power duo: Ashford & Simpson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEcLuVhRbkU 1. Fairtayle of New York (1987) Kirsty MacColl and Shane McGowan (The Pogues) A guy in the drunk tank reminiscing about his junkie girlfriend doesn't exactly scream Merry Christmas, but McGowan and MacColl invest this yuletide tale of love in the gutter with so much heart it's hard not to get choked up. Following a reissue in the wake of MacColl's tragic death in 2000, the song has routinely topped Best Christmas Song polls in the U.K http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAwK9juhhY

10-21-2008, 01:30 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Some interesting picks - Under Pressure is one of my favorite pop duets as well.
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10-21-2008, 02:23 PM	#4
MusicJunkie Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 23, 2008 Location: where I live Posts: 791	I wouldn't say Easy Lover is one of the best ever but I like that Phil Collins made a best list for a change, since it seems like ever since Tarzan, people have been dismissing his entire catalog as crap when the same people loved him in the mid-80's.

10-22-2008, 04:41 PM	#5
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	The Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell song, and "Some Velvet Morning" were the only good song on that list.

10-22-2008, 04:54 PM	#7
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Most of these I do NOT agree with. Here are some of my favs. off the top of my head. Eminem & Dido- Stan Phil Collins & Bone Thugs n Harmony- Take Me Home Aerosmith & Run DMC- Walk This Way Any Nat King Cole song with his daughter is great Any Elton & Billy Joel Collab is fantastic, especially Goodbye Yellow Brick Road More to come...

10-23-2008, 03:48 PM	#11
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	Since we're taking about Queen, what did you think of that album Barcelona that Freddie did with Spanish singer Montserrat Caballé? How was that for a duet project?