ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

‘Duets’: Elton John Sings With Little Richard, Tammy Wynette, And More

The world-famous singer-songwriter had already taken part in many vocal pairings on disc by the time the ‘Duets’ album arrived in 1993.

Published on

Elton John 'Duets' artwork - Courtesy: UMG
Elton John 'Duets' artwork - Courtesy: UMG

The duets album is one of those status symbols bestowed on artists who have reached an exalted level in the industry. It gives them the right, and the opportunity, to call on their famous friends for a collection of often never-to-be-repeated collaborations. So it was for the superstar who landed on the UK chart with his Duets collection on December 4, 1993: none other than Elton John.

The world-famous singer-songwriter, always game for an interesting artistic combination, had already taken part in many vocal pairings on disc by the time the album arrived. Aside from his studio and live records featuring his friend John Lennon, he registered one of the biggest hits of his career with Kiki Dee in 1976’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”; had lesser chart duets with Millie Jackson, Cliff Richard, Jennifer Rush, Aretha Franklin, and others; and had a major hit with Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, and Gladys Knight on “That’s What Friends Are For.”

Buy or stream Duets.

The Duets album was largely comprised of stellar interpretations of songs Elton hadn’t taped before, although RuPaul did join him on an update of “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” The collection also included his chart-topping 1991 duet with George Michael, of Elton’s “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.”

Listen to the best of Elton John on Apple Music and Spotify.

But for the most part, the record was a chance to hear him working with artists from both sides of the Atlantic that he either knew or of whom he was a longtime admirer. Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang, Leonard Cohen, Don Henley and fellow Brits Chris Rea, Nik Kershaw, and Paul Young were all part of the mix, as was Knight on “Go On And On” and Dee on a reading of “True Love,” best known by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly.

Click to load video

Duets also featured Elton’s voice up against Tammy Wynette, some five years before her death, on “A Woman’s Needs,” and placed him with one of his original rock’n’roll heroes, Little Richard, on “The Power.” The album reached No.5 in an 18-week UK chart run, and although it only reached No.25 in America, it became yet another Elton million-seller there.

Buy or stream Elton: Jewel Box, his 148-track treasure trove of rarities and hidden gems.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Telegram Sam

    December 4, 2022 at 1:52 pm

    what was unusual about “Duets” was that it had the only really successful disco song he ever did (“True Love”) while his records with disco kings Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte were just awful.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Billy Idol - Rebel Yell LP
Rebel Yell (40th Expanded Edition) (Marbled Limited Edition) 2LP
ORDER NOW
Def Leppard - Pyromania 2LP
Def Leppard
Pyromania 2LP
ORDER NOW
The Who - Live At Shea Stadium 1982 3LP
The Who
Live At Shea Stadium 1982 3LP
ORDER NOW
Keane - Hopes And Fears 20th Limited Edition 2LP
Keane
Hopes And Fears 20th Limited Edition 2LP
ORDER NOW
Abba - Waterloo 50th Anniversary
Abba - Waterloo 50th Anniversary (Limited Edition 3 x 7" Box Set)
ORDER NOW
Bob Marley - Songs Of Freedom Limited Edition 6LP Box Set
Bob Marley - Songs Of Freedom Limited Edition 6LP Box Set
ORDER NOW
uDiscover Music - Back To Top
uDiscover Music - Back To Top