So, a few weeks ago, I stumbled across this site, where Jen was sharing some of her favorite music in the theme of 2000-2013.
It was fun to read, and so when I saw her list of future themes, I thought maybe I would play along.
The theme for today is “Duets” and in Jen’s words “this can be duets or duos like Hall & Oats or Loggins & Messina you decide.”
So, I’m thinking about some of my lifelong favorite duets and sharing them with you today.
It may be painful, but let me just begin by telling you that if my Dad were making this list, you’d be listening to a lot of duets by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville, so YOU’RE WELCOME.
A Friend of Mine
This could be one of the cheesiest songs ever, and the addition of Darryl Hannah just makes it more so, but it falls into the categories of, “When I Hear This Song, I am Instantly Transported to 1985 and I Love It.” Just a nice, friendly song, even though I never really believed that Jackson Browne and Clarence Clemons were friends, at all. This duet always makes me tap my toes.
Islands in the Stream
Love this song. I just love it. Maybe it’s because Dolly Parton is just so darn cute. I don’t know, but I love this song. I play it on Spotify. Often.
Friends and Lovers
Maybe it’s because, in 1986, I was a freshman in high school and there were many boys who were my friends that I would like to have moved into boyfriend territory. I don’t know. What I do know is that I I have always loved this duet, from the very first time I heard it.
Dancing in the Street
I do not love this song. I do not even remotely love this song. I have just always thought it was the most ridiculous pairing that somehow made sense, and the video was absolutely the craziest thing I had ever seen. It was like a car accident on the side of the road that causes rubbernecking for miles because no one…NO ONE can tear their eyes away.
Endless Love
So pretty. I love this one. More importantly, I love to sing this one. I think it is an absolutely beautiful song.
You Don’t Bring me Flowers
Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand are two of my all-time favorite singers. Ever. In the history of the world. I love the album “The Jazz Singer” by Neil Diamond (and the movie) and I can’t think of a single song Barbra Streisand sings that isn’t absolutely amazing. Call me a nerd, but there it is. I think Barbra’s voice is almost unnatural. I get chills.
Speaking of Barbra…
What Kind of Fool
Close my Eyes Forever
With all of these sweet, sweet love songs, how could I possibly leave out Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne??? It’s the baddest love song duet ever. Although, I was never clear on if it was a love song at all because the lyrics are so strange. “Like a dagger you stick me in the heart and taste the blood from my blade.” Love? Hmmm…
Next Time I Fall
From Lita Ford and Ozzy to, quite possibly, the sweetest woman ever to walk the earth, I love “Next Time I Fall” with Amy Grant and Peter Cetera. Just love it. Always have. Always will. From 1986 to now. Hmmm…another 1986 song. I’m noticing a trend. Apparently high school was big for me and duets. Anyway, I just loved this one, back in the day. I would listen to Amy Grant sing the alphabet and be smitten.
Always
This one is purely personal. Mark (my brother from another mother) and I sang this one together at a recording studio and it is forever branded on my heart. Real Man and I even played the version Mark and I made at our wedding.
I’ll stop here, because as I was on YouTube getting these videos, I came across a thousand more. Harry Connick, Jr. duets, Andrea Boccelli, Josh Groban, Charlotte Church…the list goes on and on.
(edited to add: Just saw Jen’s list for today…cannot BELIEVE I forgot Mockingbird!!!)
AWESOME! Great mix, I chose Endless Love from Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey, but I like the Diana/Lionel one too! 🙂 And Dancing in the Street, now that song will be stuck in my head for the whole day! 😉
Comment by Darla @ Mom's World — August 13, 2013 @ 11:31 am |
The Luther/Mariah version is beautiful…no doubt!
Comment by Amy — August 13, 2013 @ 12:17 pm |
OK do not even apologize for this mix! I love it and it could have been my own. These songs all transport me to a happy time! And Barbara and Barry! Priceless. I wanted to put Guilty on mine, but mostly I just love the chorus 🙂
This is fabulous, and I am so glad that you played along with us! I love new friends! Also I add everyone’s choices to a YouTube playlists. So there’s one already started for Duets, all you have to do is follow me on youtube, or go to my youtube page and check it out!
Come back next week!
Oh yeah, totally agree with the Bowie/Jagger thing!
Comment by Jen — August 13, 2013 @ 11:34 am |
LOVE Guilty! Thought about including it but thought it might be Barbra overkill. 🙂
Comment by Amy — August 13, 2013 @ 12:16 pm |
1) Spot ON assessment of “Dancing In The Streets!”
2) When I die, my kids will go through my dresser, and once all the pajamas are bagged, they will find a secret note (because all secret notes are kept in the pajama drawer, that’s why!) which will read, “I actually always loved ‘Islands In The Streams’ by Dolly and Kenny.”
Comment by troy P. — August 13, 2013 @ 12:10 pm |
YES! I KNEW I wasn’t alone in “Islands in the Stream!!!”
Comment by Amy — August 13, 2013 @ 12:16 pm |
Your note also being in the pajama drawer, yes?
Comment by troy P. — August 13, 2013 @ 12:32 pm
Unfortunately, Troy…my pajama drawer note is already on the internet for anyone to see. My children will have to live with the shame while I’m already alive.
Comment by Amy — August 13, 2013 @ 12:47 pm
Ah yes, one of the many joys of parenthood – embarrassing the young apples that fell (and then try to run away) from our tree!
Comment by troy P. — August 13, 2013 @ 12:49 pm
I love how varied your mix is. David Bowie and Mick Jagger are AWESOME and I love that Barbara made the list more than once. Also? That Lita/Ozzy song was played more than anything else back when it frist came out. So good.
Comment by Kristi Campbell — August 13, 2013 @ 2:19 pm |
I agree. What great variety. Plus, you included my favorite duet (“Islands in the Stream”) so your post gets an automatic “WIN!” in my book.
Comment by cynkingfeeling — August 19, 2013 @ 2:29 pm |
really liked the Lita/Ozzy it was one of the songs that is appearing on multiple Posts this week (one of the cool things that happen around here on Tuesdays). I suspect that there is much more to a successful duet than simply bringing together 2 talented musicians, but with these two there is a feeling of chemistry that adds to the song.
(Maybe just because I like both individually, but cool nonetheless)
Comment by Clark Scottroger — August 13, 2013 @ 4:23 pm |
See, now I LOVE the song (Dancing in the street) but could not agree more about that particular mix/video being an utter train wreck! I hope they got well paid – all I’m sayin’!
Comment by Lizzi, Considerer (@LRConsiderer) — August 14, 2013 @ 3:14 am |
Welcome to the crazy train. I hope you plan on staying a while! 🙂
Comment by Tracy@CrazyAsNormal — August 14, 2013 @ 2:26 pm |
I am just getting around to this post, but let me understand what I just read. You are saying that you are more moved by Ozzy Osbourne and Lita Ford than Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt singing ANYTHING together????? And have you ever heard Aaron and Tricia Yearwood sing “I Fall to Pieces?” Where did I go wrong?
Comment by Dad — September 24, 2013 @ 5:28 pm |