200 MOST ESSENTIAL DUETS. This instalment: #30-21. Continues next week.

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.

30

THE BOY IS MINE

BRANDY & MONICA

Brandy and Monica argued their case over the same man on the R&B duet "The Boy Is Mine". In 1998, this fierce collaboration topped the American chart and peaked at #2 in Britain.

29

WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?

PET SHOP BOYS & DUSTY SPRINGFIELD

In 1987, The Pet Shop Boys invited British blue-eyed 60s singer Dusty Springfield to contribute vocals on a song. The match proved lucrative for the duo and revived the legendary vocalist's career. "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" reached #2 in both the US and UK.

28

WITH YOU I'M BORN AGAIN

BILLY PRESTON & SYREETA

At the time, both artists were on Motown's roster. Billy Preston had played on The Beatles' "Get Back" and enjoyed solo hits prior to signing with the label. Syreeta Wright had been married to Stevie Wonder and while her solo output on Motown barely dented the charts, she had co-written some popular songs with her ex-husband. The ballad "With You I'm Born Again" is a beautiful recording with both in fine voice. In 1979, the tender song was released and went on to reach the Top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic.

27

SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW

GOTYE & KIMBRA

In 2011, Gotye's duet with New Zealander Kimbra became a global smash. The Belgian-born musician grew up in Australia. He penned and produced the track which topped the charts in America, Britain, Australia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Israel. The duet collected a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

26

I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME

DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES
  & THE TEMPTATIONS

Diana Ross & The Supremes and the Temptations recorded a cover of the Dee Dee Warwick 1966 single "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me". Their remake was issued 2 years later. The single peaked at #2 in America and climbed to #3 in the UK. The track was included on the 2 groups' album 'Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations'.

25

GUILTY

BARBRA STREISAND & BARRY GIBB

The title track from Barbra Streisand's 'Guilty' album was a duet with the principal songwriter for the project, Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees. In 1980, this became her best selling album to date. "Guilty" was released as a single that year as the follow up to Streisand's #1 single "Woman In Love". The duet reached #3 on the US chart.

24

UP WHERE WE BELONG

JOE COCKER & JENNIFER WARNES

'An Officer And A Gentleman' was a 1982 hit film no doubt buoyed by the inclusion of the mighty ballad "Up Where We Belong". Recorded by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, the duet topped the American, Canadian and Australian charts. In Britain, the single climbed to #7.  

23

ALL I ASK OF YOU

CLIFF RICHARD & SARAH BRIGHTMAN

The memorable love song "All I Ask Of You" from the enduring musical "The Phantom Of The Opera" was a tender duet recorded by Cliff Richard and Sarah Brightman. The latter had gained fame for her role opposite Michael Crawford's Phantom. Richard gives this the best vocal delivery of his illustrious career. In 1986, this delicate rendition peaked at #3 on the British chart.

22

I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)

ARETHA FRANKLIN & GEORGE MICHAEL

In 1987, George Michael was further establishing himself as a solo artist after his years in the duo Wham! He lifted his credibility as a vocalist with the duet "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". Being a fan of soul music, Michael was paired with the genre's undisputed queen, Aretha Franklin. Together, they scored a #1 smash hit in America, Britain and Australia.

21

AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING

MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell could make the most basic lyrics sound special with their vocal magic. Again, there was obvious chemistry oozing out of every line in their duet "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing". This was another gorgeous cut written and produced by the husband and wife team of Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson. The single reached #1 on the Soul Chart in 1968 and #8 Pop in America.

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!).