200 MOST ESSENTIAL DUETS. This instalment: #110-101. Continues next week with the second half of this Top 200.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 200 ALL-TIME MOST

ESSENTIAL DUETS

 

This countdown looks back on decades of duets, where 2 acts combine on a song.

To be eligible, the acts involved contribute close to equal roles as lead vocalists rather than featured or guest vocals. The collaborations must be by acts that do not usually record together as regular duos (eg. Hall & Oates, Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel and Wham!).

110

I WANT TO SPEND MY LIFETIME LOVING YOU

TINA ARENA & MARC ANTHONY

The 1998 duet "I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You" was featured in the hit film 'The Mask Of Zorro'. The single brought together Australian chanteuse Tina Arena with Latin pop star Marc Anthony. It proved particularly popular in Europe.

109

THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT

BARBRA STREISAND &
  MICHAEL CRAWFORD

Barbra Streisand recorded a duet version of "The Music Of The Night" from the stage musical "The Phantom Of the Opera" with the original Phantom, Michael Crawford. The 2 had worked together years before on the film 'Hello, Dolly!'. The reunion was recorded for Streisand's 1993 album 'Back To Broadway'.

108

ACT OF WAR

ELTON JOHN & MILLIE JACKSON

Mighty R&B vocalist Millie Jackson recorded the duet "Act Of War" with Elton John for his 1985 album 'Ice On Fire'. The single made the Top 40 in Britain and raised her profile.

107

WHAT NOW MY LOVE

FRANK SINATRA & ARETHA FRANKLIN

In 1993, The Chairman of the Board recorded "What Now My Love"with The Queen Of Soul. Aretha Franklin's duet with Frank Sinatra appeared on his 1993 'Duets' album.This remake of a pop standard benefits greatly from the 2 unique vocalists' experience within their respective genres.

106

THE BALLAD OF TOM JONES

SPACE & CERYS

The humorous interplay between English band Space and Cerys (the Welsh lead singer of the group Catatonia) makes this duet a standout. The lighthearted references to Tom Jones' songbook and the practice of his fans throwing their underwear onto the stage are sprinkled throughout. The single peaked at #4 in the UK.

105

HELLO, DOLLY!

BARBRA STREISAND & LOUIS ARMSTRONG

Louis Armstrong recorded a solo version of the stage musical's title song and collected a US #1 single and 2 Grammy Awards (including Song of the Year) for his efforts in 1963. The film version premiered 6 years later. Satchmo re-recorded the song, with his screen co-star Barbra Streisand. The latter was cast in the title role.

104

STATE OF SHOCK

THE JACKSONS & MICK JAGGER

The Rolling Stones' frontman joined The Jacksons on the funky rock track "State Of Shock". While it is true to say both acts had recorded superior songs, it is notable for the lead vocals delivered by Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger. The 1984 track was included on the siblings' album 'Victory'. On the charts, the single reached #3, 10 and 14 in America, Australia and Britain respectively.

103

PROMISCUOUS

NELLY FURTADO & TIMBALAND

Both Nelly Furtado and Timbaland contributed to the creation of the 2006 single "Promiscuous". The latter also co-produced the track which was a smash around the globe. It reached #1 in the US, Canada and New Zealand. In Britain and Australia, it peaked at #2. The single climbed to #5 on the European chart. It was included on Furtado's 'Loose' album.

102

JUST GIVE ME A REASON

PINK & NATE RUESS

Female rocker Pink shared lead vocals with the group Fun's lead vocalist Nate Ruess on the duet "Just Give Me A Reason". They both co-wrote the song with producer Jeff Bhasker. It was featured on Pink's 2012 album 'The Truth About Love'. The following year, the track was lifted as a single, topping the chart in America as well as in several other territories and peaked at #2 in Britain.

101

THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU

ROBERTA FLACK & DONNY HATHAWAY

The ballad "The Closer I Get To You" was another teaming of R&B singers Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. Following the critical acclaim attracted by their 1972 self-titled duet album, the pair re-united for this track from the former's 'Blue Lights In The Basement' album 5 years later. The single peaked at #2 Pop in America, where it topped the Soul chart.