Many titles sung together act about how men and women exchange lines about love and heartache. But only a few have enough sound, intent, content and chemistry, to really retain. Here are 20 most unforgettable.
This list originally appeared on April 7, 2014.
20-17 place
20. Mashonda feat. Jadakiss – “Can’t Leave the Block Alone”
Pathos of the “Thug Love”: On this mixtape hit from New York from 2005, Mashonda and Jadakiss embody the pain of drug dealers and the women they love. The R&B singer fears that her husband could arrest or worse things fear that an almost eerie beat, reminiscent of an ice cream car in summer. Jadakiss raps: “As long as love is not stronger than trust/and you understand that I am out there for us.”
19. Rihanna feat. Ne-yo-“hate that i love you”
“Feelings like love can be expressed best by stories,” said NE-YO 2007. This is exactly what this piece of Rihanna’s breakthrough salbum does Good girl Gone Bad. The voices of the two float, cross and merge in this bitter sweet confession to the madness of love – in the bad sense.
18. The Human League – “Don’t you want me”
One of the biggest New Wave Lovesongs. Philip Oakey opens with “You Were Were Workin ‘as a Waitress at a cocktail bar …”, whereupon Susan Ann Sulley counters. At 17 she sang her answer: “That much is true, but Even then then i knew …”-a feminist counterpart in pop song format.
17. Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne – “Close My Eyes Forever”
Pure drama: The rock goddess Ford and Osbourne created a dark, emotional duet that oscillates between ballad and death vocals during a nightly session.
16–13 place
16. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z-“Drunk in Love”
A moment-insight into the love of two stars-blurred, exuberant, wild. Despite Jay’s unfortunate references, the song has become a hymn moment for parties.
15. Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot – “Bonnie & Clyde”
A French counterpart to romantic downfall. Gainsbourg’s rough speech singing and Bardot’s breaths let poetry and eroticism flow into each other.
14. Method man feat. Mary J. Blige – “i’ll be there for you/you’re all i need to get by”
The first really successful crossover from hip-hop and R&B. Mary J. Blige and Method Man created a new genre foundation in 1995.
13. Aretha Franklin & George Michael – “I knew you were Were Waiting”
In 1987 the Queen of Soul and George Michael smashed this radiant duet to the top of the charts. A triumph for both voices, a liberation for Michael.
12-9 place
12. George Jones & Tammy Wynette – “Golden Ring”
A ring as a symbol of love – and its failure. The ex-couple sang with painful honesty about love, argument and loss.
11. Peter Gabriel feat. Kate Bush – “Don’t Give Up”
An intimate hug in song form. Gabriel and Bush are so interwoven in dialogue that the song looks like a consolation tanker.
10. Teen Marie & Rick James – “Fire & Desire”
A seven-minute R&B epic about ex-loving. Funk, passion and pain united.
9. Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond – “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”
Two separate versions became a world -famous duet. A song about broken love that rose to the top of the charts in 1978.
8th place-5
8. Patti Austin & James Ingram – “Baby Come to Me”
A gentle jazz-r & b duett that proves chemistry between two very different artists.
7. Ashford & Simpson – “Solid”
A triumphal pop song about constant love. Thanks to fine details and the couple’s chemistry.
6. Peaches & Herb – “Reunited”
An all-time love song of reunification. Wedding soundtrack, radiohite and seduction song at the same time.
5. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – “I’m your puppet”
Two voices that merge together. Gaye and Terrell prove gentle dedication with incomparable harmony.
4th place-1
4. Cherrelle feat. Alexander O’Neal – “Saturday Love”
A weekend flirt as a longing memory, perfectly staged by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
3. Stevie Nicks & Don Henley – “Leather & Lace”
Fleetwood Mac and Eagles votes combined: a song about difficult love, full of brittle truths and silent intensity.
2. Diana Ross & Lionel Richie – “Endless Love”
For two months number one in 1981. A universal love song that has been covered to this day.
1. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton – “Islands in the Stream”
Written by the Bee Gees, recorded in 1983, it became the greatest hit of the year. Rogers and Parton transformed the song into a piece of music history – pure chemistry, forever valid.