200 MOST ESSENTIAL DUETS. This instalment: #40-31. Continues tomorrow.

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.

40

YOU ARE EVERYTHING

DIANA ROSS & MARVIN GAYE

The 1973 duet album 'Diana & Marvin' brought together the hottest soloists from either gender on the Motown roster. "You Are Everything" was a remake of The Stylistics' Top 10 hit from 2 years earlier. While the duet was not issued as a single in America, The Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye version reached #5 in Britain.

39

MARVIN GAYE

CHARLIE PUTH & MEGHAN TRAINOR

Charlie Puth co-wrote his debut single "Marvin Gaye" and Meghan Trainor came on board for the duet. The lyrics refer to various Marvin Gaye songs such as "Let's Get It On" and "Sexual Healing". In 2015, the single topped the charts in Britain, Europe, New Zealand and Israel.

38

7 SECONDS

NENEH CHERRY & YOUSSOU N'DOUR

The 1994 single "7 Seconds" brought together the sounds of trip hop and world music. Neneh Cherry was already a well known artist with her hits such as "Buffalo Stance". Youssou N'Dour was known primarily for his mbalax recordings as well as guesting on tracks such as "In Your Eyes" on Peter Gabriel's 'So' album. The song reached the Top 3 in Britain, Europe and Australia. It still stands out today as a unique fusion of musical worlds.

37

SOMETHING'S GOTTEN HOLD OF MY HEART

MARC ALMOND & GENE PITNEY

In 1989, Gene Pitney revisited his Top 5 hit from 1967 as a guest vocalist on a remake by Marc Almond. The glorious cover reached #1 in Britain and various European nations. In America, the song was banned because some thought it sounded like a love song the 2 men were directing at each other!

36

BOOGIE WONDERLAND

EARTH, WIND AND FIRE & THE EMOTIONS

Maurice Starr was at the helm of Earth, Wind & Fire and writer/ producer of material for The Emotions. He had already helped create the female group's #1 hit "Best Of My Love". EW&F's White and Al McKay produced "Boogie Wonderland", a 1979 Top 10 hit for the 2 soul groups in America, Britain, parts of Europe, Australia and New Zealand. 

35

WHERE THE WILD ROSES GROW

NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS & KYLIE MINOGUE

The haunting beauty of "Where The Wild Roses Grow" was the unlikely duet by the 2 Australian acts Nick Cave and his group The Bad Seeds with Kylie Minogue. Released in 1995, the collaboration reached the Top 10 in Europe and Australia.

34

SAY SAY SAY

PAUL MCARTNEY & MICHAEL JACKSON

The first pairing of Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson saw the 2 record a duet they co-wrote. George Martin, who had produced The Beatles' albums, assumed the same role on this song. The track was included on McCartney's 'Pipes Of Peace' album. In 1983, the single topped the American and Canadian charts. It also reached the Top 5 in Britain, Europe and Australia.

33

THE RHYTHM OF LIFE

DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES
  & THE TEMPTATIONS

The soundtrack for the 1969 TV special "G.I.T. On Broadway" included a performance of "The Rhythm Of Life" by the 2 groups Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations. The song was from the musical "Sweet Charity". This single charted high in Australia. A few weeks later, Ross quit her group and embarked on a solo career.

32

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE

LUTHER VANDROSS & JANET JACKSON

Luther Vandross had long been lauded for his influential vocals that graced many key recordings by other acts, In 1992, he teamed up with one of that time's hottest artists- Janet Jackson. Together, they injected fun into the hit single that peaked at #2 in the UK and Australia. In the US, it topped the R&B chart. The track also features Bell Biv Devoe and Ralph Tresvant, 4 former members of New Edition.

31

I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN

FRANK SINATRA & BONO

Legendary crooner cut a magical duet with U2 frontman Bono in 1993. "I've Got You Under My Skin" is a Cole Porter standard. Bono wisely chooses not to try outshining Sinatra. He reveals his vocal range alongside the master. The remake was included on Sinatra's 'Duets' album. It was also released as a double A-side on the U2 single "Stay (Faraway So Close)" which charted high in Britain, Europe and Australia.

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!).