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Pop’s 50 Best Duets Ever (Telegraph Arts Supplement 8/11/03)
“It takes two to make it outta sight, Lyn Collins once observed. The duet,
it seems is having a renaissance. One of the biggest-selling songs of the
year has been Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul’s Breathe, a brilliantly sung
conversation on the age-old theme of breaking up. Indeed no rap single
these days is complete without a female voice to balance the macho
rhyming. That has been the spark for this special Arts+Books, in which our
critics attempt to pick the greatest of all time. Does a duet have to be a
dialogue? No, we decided – just two voices, one song. That opened up the
field to hundreds, of which these are the 50 best. .
Pop’s 50 Best Duets Ever
Note that in the paper this list was in reverse order.
1. Hazelwood, Lee & Nancy Sinatra – Some Velvet Morning
2. Blige, Mary J & Method Man – You’re All I Need to Get By
3. Gabriel, Peter & Kate Bush – Don’t Give Up
4. Gaye, Marvin & Tammi Terrell – Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing
5. Travolta, John & Olivia Newton-John – You’re the One That I Want
6. MacGowan, Shane & Kirsty MacColl – Fairytale of New York
7. Cantrell, Blu & Sean Paul – Breathe (Rap Version)
8. Althea & Donna – Uptown Top Ranking
9. King Louis & Baloo the Bear – Wanna be like You (Jungle Book)
10. Eminem & Dido – Stan
11. Simon & Garfunkel – Sound of Silence
12. Bob & Marcia – Young, Gifted & Black
13. Parsons, Gram & Emmylou Harris – In My Hour of Darkness
14. Harry, Deborah & Iggy Pop – Well, Did You Evah!
15. Astaire, Fred & Ginger Rogers – Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off
16. Cave, Nick & Kylie Minogue – Where the Wild Roses Grow
17. Dylan, Bob & Johnny Cash – Girl from the North Country
18. Brown, James & Lyn Collins – This Guy’s/Girl’s in Love With You
19. Tennant, Neil & Dusty Springfield – What Have I Done to Deserve This?
20. Flack, Roberta & Donny Hathaway – Back Together Again
21. Gaye, Marvin & Kim Weston – It Takes Two
22. Everly Brothers – Let It be Me
23. Bob & Earl – Harlem Shuffle
24. Sonny & Cher – I Got You Babe
25. Salt ‘n’ Pepa – Push it
26. Fitzgerald, Ella & Louis Jordan – Baby, It’s Cold Outside
27. Sinatra, Frank & Nancy – Something Stupid
28. Morrissey & Siouxsie Sioux – Interlude
29. Redding, Otis & Carla Thomas – Tramp
30. Kristofferson, Kris & Rita Coolidge – I Never Had it so Good
31. Reed, Lou & Sam Moore – Soul Man
32. Birkin, Jane & Serge Gainsbourg – Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus
33. N’Dour, Youssou & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds
34. Beyoncé & Jay-Z – Crazy in Love
35. Almond, Marc & Gene Pitney – Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart
36. Flanagan & Allen – Underneath the Arches
37. Warnes, Jennifer & Bill Medley – (I’ve Had) the Time of My Life
38. Franklin, Aretha & Annie Lennox – Sisters are Doin’ it for Themselves
39. Zappa, Frank & Captain Beefheart – Debra Kadabra (from Bongo Fury)
40. Gaye, Marvin & Tammi Terrell – Onion Song
41. Cash, Johnny & Will Oldham – I See a Darkness
42. Puff Daddy & Faith Evans – I’ll be Missing You
43. Streisand, Barbra & Donna Summer – No More Tears (Enough is Enough)
44. Sexsmith, Ron & Chris Martin – Gold in Them Hills
45. Bowie, David & Freddie Mercury – Under Pressure
46. Busta Rhymes & Mariah Carey – I Know What You Want
47. Bono & Luciano Pavarotti – Miss Sarajevo
48. Harvey, PJ & Thom Yorke – This Mess We’re in
49. Prince & Sheena Easton – U Got the Look
50. Rogers, Kenny & Dolly Parton – Islands in the Stream
Two Awful for Words:
“The duet lends itself to the corny, cheesy, slushy and plain naff – such
as these”.
o Minogue, Kylie & Jason Donovan – Especially for You
o Jagger, Mick & David Bowie – Dancing in the Street
o John, Elton & Kiki Dee – Don’t go Breaking My Heart
o Wonder, Stevie & Paul McCartney – Ebony & Ivory
o Williams, Robbie & Nicole Kidman – Something Stupid
o Zeta-Jones, Catherine & David Essex – True Love Ways
o Jones, Tom & Cerys Matthews – Baby, It’s Cold Outside
o Jones, Tom & Kelly Jones – Mama Told Me Not to Come
o LaBelle, Patti & Michael McDonald – On My Own
o Chas & Dave – Rabbit
o Hoddle, Glenn & Chris Waddle – Diamond Lights
o Brian & Michael – Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs
o Renee & Renato – Save Your Love
o Cole, Natalie & Nat ‘King’ Cole – Unforgettable1
o Robson & Jerome – Unchained Melody
o Lennon, John & Yoko Ono – (Just Like) Starting Over
o Tricky & Terry Hall – Ghost Town
o Primal Scream & Kate Moss – Some Velvet Morning
o UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I Got You Babe
o Caballé, Montserrat & Freddie Mercury – Barcelona
o Mullard, Arthur & Hylda Baker – You’re the One That I Want
o Smith, Mel & Kim Wilde – Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
o Collins, Phil & Philip Bailey – Easy Lover
1 this was particulary unusual as Nat ‘King’ Cole was, at the time of this
‘duet’, dead! (But his body could be heard whirring like a Magimix!).
See Also - NME 50 Top Cover
Versions
The Telegraph's music critics select .
From November 2004
1. All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience, 1968 orig. Bob
Dylan, 1967
2. You Were Always on My Mind - Pet Shop Boys, 1987 orig. Elvis Presley,
1972 (after brenda lee, 1971)
3. My Way - Sid Vicious, 1979 orig. Frank Sinatra, 1969 (after Paul Anka,
1969)
4. Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley, 1993 orig. Leonard Cohen, 1984
5. Respect - Aretha Franklin, 1967 orig. Otis Redding, 1965
6. Tainted Love - Soft Cell, 1981 orig. Gloria Jones, 1974
7. Mr Tambourine Man - The Byrds, 1965 orig. Bob Dylan, 1964
8. Twist and Shout - The Beatles, 1963 Orig. the Isley Brothers, 1960
9. Comfortably Numb - Scissor Sisters, 2004 Orig. Pink Floyd, 1979
10. Mr Bojangles - Nina Simone, 1971 orig. Jerry Jeff Walker, 1967
11. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Roberta Flack, 1971 orig. Shirelles,
1960
12. One - Johnny Cash, 2002 orig. U2, 1991
13. My Favourite Things - John Coltrane, 1960 orig. Rodgers and
Hammerstein (The Sound of Music), 1959
14. Rocket Man - Kate Bush, 1991 orig. Elton John, 1970
15. Wild Horses - The Flying Burrito Bros, 1971 orig. The Rolling Stones,
1970
16. Billie Jean - Shinehead, 1984 orig. Michael Jackson, 1982
17. Mad World - Gary Jules, 2003 Orig. Tears For Fears, 1982
18. Just Can't Get Enough - Nouvelle Vague, 2004 Orig: Depeche Mode, 1981
19. Sweet Jane - Cowboy Junkies, 1988 orig. Velvet Underground, 1970
20. Police and Thieves - The Clash, 1977 orig. Junior Murvin, 1976
21. Only Love Can Break Your Heart - St Etienne, 1990 orig. Neil Young,
1970
22. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Devo, 1978 Rolling Stones, 1965
23. Caravan of Love - Housemartins, 1986 orig. Isley Jasper Isley, 1985
24. Why Can't We Live Together - Sade, 1985 orig. Timmy Thomas, 1972
25. Wonderwall - Ryan Adams, 2004 orig. Oasis, 1995
26. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - The White Stripes, 2003
orig. Dusty Springfield, 1964
27. Summertime Blues - The Who, 1968 orig. Eddie Cochran, 1958
28. Jealous Guy - Roxy Music, 1981 Orig. John Lennon, 1971
29. Black Steel - Tricky, 1995 orig. Public Enemy, 1988
30. I'm A Believer - Robert Wyatt, 1974 orig. The Monkees, 1966 (written
by Neil Diamond)
31. Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word - Mary J Blige, 2004 orig. Elton
John, 1976
32. Chimes of Freedom - Youssou N'dour, 1994 orig. Bob Dylan, 1964
33. Money (That's What I Want) - The Flying Lizards, 1980 orig. The
Beatles, 1963 (after barrett strong, 1959)
34. Fell In Love With A Boy - Joss Stone, 2003 orig. the White Stripes,
2001
35. Gloria - Patti Smith, 1975 orig. Them, 1965
36. Dear Prudence - Siouxsie & the Banshees, 1983 orig. The Beatles, 1968
37. Heartbreak Hotel - John Cale, 1975 orig. Elvis Presley, 1956
38. Wichita Lineman - Dennis Brown, 1970 orig. Glen Campbell, 1968
39. Ms Jackson - The Vines, 2002 orig. Outkast, 2000
40. I Fought the Law - The Clash, 1979 Orig. The Crickets, 1959
41. Hazy Shade of Winter - The Bangles, 1987 orig. Simon & Garfunkel, 1966
42. David Bowie - It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City, 1975 Orig. Bruce
Springsteen, 1973
43. Jolene - One Dove, 1993 orig. Dolly Parton, 1974
44. Oops I Did it Again - Richard Thompson, 2003 orig. Britney Spears,
2000
45. Rock el Casbah - Rachid Taha, 2004 orig. The Clash, 1982
46. The Robots - Señor Coconut & His Orchestra, 2000 Orig. Kraftwerk, 1978
47. Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) - The Wedding Present, 1990 orig.
Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, 1975
48. Step On - Happy Mondays, 1991 orig. John Kongos, 1971
49. Going Back to My Roots - Richie Havens, 1980 orig. Lamont Dozier, 1977
50. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Communards, 1986 orig. Harold Melvin &
The Blue Notes, 1975
Daily Telegraph Arts Supplement - UK
(February 2008)
See Also:
NME Best Soundtrack Albums
This article appeared in the Seven magazine, free with the Daily Telegraph
on the 2/2/08, a special BAFTA issue.
1. Empire Strikes Back - John Williams
2. Sound of Music - Rodgers & Hammerstein
3. Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff & Various Artists
4. Trouble Man - Marvin Gaye
5. Diva - Vladimir Cosma
6. That Summer! - Various Artists
7. The Payback - James Brown
8. Help! - Beatles
9. Tommy [1975] - Who & Various Artists
10. Big Chill - Various Artists
11. West Side Story - Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim
12. Big Country - Jerome Moross
13. Grace of My Heart - Various Artists
14. Kill Bill: Vol 1 - Various Artists
15. Once Upon a Time in the West - Ennio Morricone
16. Godfather Part II - Nino Rota & Carmine Coppola
17. American Graffiti - Various Artists
18. Wild Style - Various Artists
19. Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid - Bob Dylan
20. Pulp Fiction - Various Artists
21. One from the Heart - Tom Waits & Crystal Gayle
22. The Mission - Ennio Morricone
23. Alfie [1966] - Sonny Rollins
24. Where Eagles Dare - Ron Goodwin
25. Lord of the Rings [trilogy] - Howard Shore,
26. Draughtsman’s Contract - Michael Nyman
27. Breakfast at Tiffany’s - Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer
28. Secrets & Lies - Andrew Dickson
29. Withnail & I - David Dundas
30. Ghost World - Various Artists
31. Dr No - John Barry
32. Goldfinger - John Barry
33. Midnight Cowboy - John Barry
34. Chariots of Fire - Vangelis
35. Magnificent Seven - Elmer Bernstein
36. Gladiator - Hans Zimmer & Lisa Bourke
37. ET: Extra Terrestrial - John Williams
38. Jaws - John Williams
39. Blade Runner - Vangelis
40. Trainspotting - Various Artists
41. Assault on Precinct 13 [1976] - John Carpenter
42. Dambusters - Eric Coates
43. Ipcress File - John Barry
44. Reservoir Dogs - Various Artists
45. Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence - David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto
46. Jean de Florette - Jean-Claude Petit & Giuseppe Verdi [featured music]
47. Badlands - George Aliceson Tipton
48. Dancer in the Dark - Björk
49. In the Mood for Love - Various Artists
50. Underground (Podzemlje: Bila Jednom Jedna Zemlje) - Goran Bregovic
51. Fanny & Alexander - Robert Schumann [featured music]
52. Psycho - Bernard Herrmann
53. Easy Rider - Various Artists
54. Amadeus - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [featured music]
55. Bridge Over the River Kwai - Malcolm Arnold
56. Topsy-Turvy - Various Artists
57. The Graduate - Simon & Garfunkel
58. Dogville - Various Artists
59. A Hard Day’s Night! - Beatles
60. Good, the Bad & the Ugly - Ennio Morricone
61. October - Dmitri Shostakovich
62. Koyaanisqatsi - Philip Glass
63. Jungle Book - Richard M & Robert B Sherman
64. Blue Velvet - Angelo Badalamenti
65. Crimes & Misdemeanors - Franz Schubert [featured music]
66. Manhattan - George Gershwin [featured music]
67. A Clockwork Orange - Wendy Carlos
68. Bodysong - Jonny Greenwood
69. Stand By Me - Various Artists
70. Super Fly - Curtis Mayfield
71. Gone With the Wind - Max Steiner
72. Wicker Man - Paul Giovanni
73. My Fair Lady - Frederick Loewe
74. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut - Various Artists
75. Wizard of Oz - Hyman Arluk & Yip Harburg
76. Purple Rain - Prince
77. Dead Presidents - Various Artists
78. Waiting to Exhale - Various Artists
79. Goodfellas - Various Artists
80. Taxi Driver - Bernard Herrmann
81. Paris, Texas - Ry Cooder
82. Juno - Various Artists
83. Oliver! - Lionel Bart
84. Apocalypse Now - Carmine Coppola
85. Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club
86. Shadows - Charlie Mingus
87. Some Like it Hot - Adolph Deutsch
88. Life Aquatic - Seu Jorge
89. Mirror - Johann Sebastian Bach [featured music]
90. High Noon - Dimitri Tiomkin
91. 2001: A Space Odyssey - Various Composers [featured music]
92. Rocky Horror Picture Show - Richard O’Brien
93. Grease - Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
94. O Brother, Where Art Thou? - Various Artists
95. Umbrellas of Cherbourg - Michel Legrand
96. Singin’ in the Rain - Nacio Herb Brown
97. Cabaret - John Kander & Fred Ebb
98. Lawrence of Arabia - Maurice Jarre
99. Fargo - Carter Burwell
100. Fantasia - Various Composers [featured music]
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