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The 100 Best Duets of All Time
The best duets of all time. Open your ears, and enjoy the company of two voices, very often singing as one, and always singing brilliantly.
What is it about duet songs that make them so appealing? Perhaps it is as simple as the fact that they are very often a love song, and everyone loves a love song. It’s also because the blending of two voices is a magical thing, whether singing in harmony, unison or as call and response. The best duets move us in ways that other music may not.
We have come up with what we consider to be the best duets of all time. We’ve gone back to the 30s with Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan, included some wonderful 40s and 50s jazz and R&B duets, as well as some of the most famous duets from the 60s, featuring Motown artists who raised the art of singing together to a whole new level.
While you’re reading, listen to our Greatest Duets playlist here.
We’ve country classics from the likes of Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Kenny Rogers, Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell. At the other end of the musical spectrum, we have soul divas like Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Diana Ross, Janet Jackson with their respective male, and sometimes female, partners.
The best duets aren’t always sung by a man and a woman. The Everly Brothers, The Righteous Brothers, and Paul Young and Zucchero are just some of the men-only duets on our list, while Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand fly the flag for all-female duos.
And let’s not forget that rock stars are just as happy doing a duet; just check out Queen and David Bowie, or Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty, or Ozzy Osbourne and Lita Ford. At the opposite end of the musical spectrum, we have Louis Armstrong and Ella, Billy Eckstine and Sarah Vaughan, or Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.
In fact, whatever music you like, we are sure there are lots here that will appeal. Many will be familiar; some you’ll never have heard before. Open your ears and enjoy the company of two voices, very often singing as one, and always singing brilliantly.
Don’t forget to let us know your best duets of all time…
UK English
PATRICIO DONOSO
October 21, 2014 at 7:50 pm
Another of my Favorites is:
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) George Michael & Aretha Franklin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuU0cJ_iW8w
Greetings from Chile.
Betty Joblin
October 29, 2016 at 6:29 pm
You listed the Pet Shop Boys for What Have I Done to Deserve This. However, you left out Dusty Springfield who contributed in a magnificent way to the song. In fact the song was written for her. Please make a correction!
Kenny Croughan
October 21, 2014 at 8:50 pm
I cannot believe that ‘Don’t Give Up’ by Peter Gabriel with Kate Bush is not on the list. I would have thought top 5 at least.
Steve
October 22, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Was it not with Paula Cole?
VIV
August 28, 2015 at 11:27 am
only when he was touring
the recorded version was with KB
gozamite
December 8, 2015 at 4:40 pm
No, the original version is with Kate Bush
ck
October 23, 2014 at 5:50 am
so agreed!
Jor Barrie
May 22, 2016 at 11:05 am
Yeah, definitely my favourite duet too!
gejah
October 21, 2014 at 9:35 pm
barbara Dickson and Elaine page. I knew him so well. And Barry Gibb with barbara Streisand quilty.
gejah
October 21, 2014 at 9:37 pm
Barbara dickson and elaine paige. I knew him so well.
Barry Gibb and Barbera Streisand. Quilty.
George michael and Aritha Franklin i knew you were waiting
Jeff Bushnell
October 21, 2014 at 9:55 pm
My favorite duet is Laura Branigan and John Farnham, singing I want to know what love is!
Krek.
October 21, 2014 at 10:11 pm
Tom Waits and Bette Middler I never talk to strangers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lu51WVRfmE
precioushis
October 21, 2014 at 11:54 pm
One of my favorites is Mated by David Grant and Jaki Graham
Mihaela Jukic
October 22, 2014 at 12:03 am
well my favourite is 10000% Agnetha Faltskog and Gary Barlow “I Shoud Have Followed You Home” , (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes , Dilemma Nelly & Kelly Rowland,…….and moooore 😀
Gabriel
October 22, 2014 at 12:11 am
I think Guilty or What Kind Of Fool by Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb should be there.
Girl from the North Country by Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash.
ELO and Olivia Newton-John’s Xanadu or Suddenly by OIivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard.
Guy Heyne
October 22, 2014 at 10:28 am
I would include as “oldie but goody” : “Besame Mucho” in theEydie Gormé-Steve Lawrence-version and a more recent :”Bach Aire” or another Musica Nuda !! NO???
joern
October 22, 2014 at 10:47 am
Eros Ramazotti & Tina Turner “Cose della vita”, Tina Turner & Bryan Adams “It’s only love”, David Bowie &TT “Tonight”…..
Music Lover
October 22, 2014 at 5:25 pm
There’s a gorgeous duet by Diane Schuur and José Feliciano, By Design, that never got the attention it deserved. I can think of a few songs on the list that don’t hold a candle to By Design.
uDiscover
October 22, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Music Lover, we agree, that’s why we included in our playlist from the very start 🙂
Marc
January 7, 2016 at 6:15 pm
Agree, That by Jose Feliciano and Diane Schuur is one of the best duet recorded for me
Tendr
October 9, 2016 at 6:58 pm
I love that duet by Schuur and Feliciano and I totally agree.
ronny whitebear
October 22, 2014 at 5:59 pm
My fav.is JERRY LEE LEWIS and Mickey Gilly.
Matt
October 22, 2014 at 6:16 pm
You know this is garbage because the fourth best duet “ever” is “Empire State of Mind”.
uDiscover
October 22, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Matt, it’s not in order, that would cause even more arguments! 🙂
Pluschap
October 22, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Ridiculously pretentious!!
4 million years of global human history, and somehow the “greatest duets of all time” all happened in the last 80 years, and all happened in the USA or the UK.. It’s amazing that somehow you got a nod in there to the Spanish speaking world.
Right!
Kipp
October 22, 2014 at 8:24 pm
I’m guessing this list is only radio play because one of the absolute greatest duets of all time was Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland singing “happy days are here again” and “get happy” on the Judy garland show.
Alex
October 22, 2014 at 9:30 pm
I also really like these two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_OnFHJou4o (Manic Street Preachers & Nina Persson – “Your Love Alone”) & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEg7TJ3nkT4 (The All-American Rejects feat The Pierces – “Another Heart Calls”)
Cindy Blessing Stevens
October 22, 2014 at 9:57 pm
#9 !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had the pleasure of having Bill Medley on 1 knee, sing this to me, at his restaurant Medley’s, in 1979. He and my NEW husband had gone to school together, so he knew him. My husband tried to put his arm around me while Bill was singing. I was like “who are you?” “Get away!, can’t you see I have Bill Freakin Medley singing to ME!” It was funny, you had to be there!
Fortunato
October 22, 2014 at 10:02 pm
What about Tom Jones & Mark Knopfler in “I feel like going home!?
John
October 22, 2014 at 11:04 pm
Dwight Yoakum and KD Lang “Sin City”, Jane Siberry and KD Lang “Calling all Angels”, Mark Knopfler and Emmy Lou Harris ..anything, Rosanne Cash and Bobby Bare “Don’t Need No Memories”, Linda Rondstat and Ann Savoy :Cant Get Over You”…many others I cant think of right now
Jenny
October 23, 2014 at 12:57 am
Steve Earle and Iris De Ment…I’m Still In Love With You, best song ever!!
Peter Michael Ward
October 23, 2014 at 8:42 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G4jnaznUoQ
David Bowie, Mick Jagger: Dancing in the Street. One of the most unlikely pairings and songs but it works beautifully!
stefano
October 23, 2014 at 9:03 am
George Michael and Elton John – Don’t let the sun go down on me
Queen and David Bowie – Under pressure
Bob Jones
October 23, 2014 at 1:06 pm
Nice list!
Paul J.
October 23, 2014 at 1:16 pm
Emmylou Harris & Mark Knopfler – This Is Us (Letterman)
A great duet. Will Lee (The Fab Faux) perfectly framed by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris
in the camera on bass truly has the song a rock’en ! ! !
Martin Cooper
October 23, 2014 at 3:35 pm
Judy Garland and a very young Barbara Streisand, singing Happy Days/ Get Happy. It’s on YouTube. It is extraordinary!
Tony delacey
October 23, 2014 at 4:47 pm
What about that brilliant song …’On my own’….Fabulous performance by both of em.
John Fowler
October 23, 2014 at 6:43 pm
My favourite duets: 1( Sarkodie and Efya, I’m in love with you now 2)Tiffany and Fuse ODG Spanner and 3) Mampi and Jose Chaemelon Nimakwanesa and 4) DrCRyme and Cyann I do
Steve Wilson
October 24, 2014 at 12:33 am
James Taylor and Carly Simon singing Close Your Eyes
uDiscover
October 24, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Nice shout!
Robert Hiller
October 24, 2014 at 12:51 am
This & La Vien rose by these two are fav’s of mine…
http://youtu.be/o9sesopGFqA
Robert Hiller
October 24, 2014 at 12:54 am
This & La Vien rose by these two are fav’s of mine…
http://youtu.be/o9sesopGFqA
http://youtu.be/Rmla2el35gQ
Robert Hiller
October 24, 2014 at 12:55 am
This is La Vien Rose by Tony Bennett & K D Lang.. Love it..
http://youtu.be/Rmla2el35gQ
Robert Hiller
October 24, 2014 at 12:59 am
Here is La Vien Rose with Tony Bennett ^ K D Lang…..
http://youtu.be/Rmla2el35gQ
w chelton
October 24, 2014 at 2:28 pm
any song by vince gill and alison krauss
uDiscover
October 24, 2014 at 6:51 pm
Great choice!
Thomas Drake
October 24, 2014 at 9:04 pm
Mark Knopfler & Sting – Money for Nothing is another good one, as is Sting & Eric Clapton – It’s Probably Me. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUYI7kIR0S4)
Tigran
October 25, 2014 at 2:07 am
FREDDIE MERCURY & MONTSERRAT CABALLE!!!
Bill Alger
December 2, 2014 at 11:20 am
A very recent duet which is absolutely AMAZING is Mary J Blige and Andrea Bocelli!
“Bridge over Trouble Water” WOW WOW WOW
carlos
January 8, 2015 at 9:21 am
Interlude – Morrissey & Siouxsie
Tarryn
January 15, 2015 at 12:09 am
Brandy & Monica – The Boy Is Mine. A fun song and great vocals from both girls.
LINO TERLATI
January 30, 2015 at 5:58 am
Todd Rundgren and Bonnie Tyler
loving you is a dirty job but somebody’s gotta do it
Virginia
February 9, 2015 at 10:01 pm
Please help! In the late 70’s or early 80’s I had a cassette with popular duets that I bought. Barbra Streisand and Lily Tomlin did one together, it was a spoof about love song duets. Very very funny. Can anyone remember this? It’s not listed on either of their bios.
uDiscover
March 21, 2015 at 10:08 pm
Virginia, you sure you don’t mean this…
https://open.spotify.com/track/3rcvehJKLNBZStJGM0PzrK
carolyn
March 31, 2015 at 7:18 pm
The great Simon and Garfunkel should be at the top of the list. Sounds of Silence, or Mrs. Robertson.
Barry Dale
May 3, 2015 at 9:24 pm
Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline singing “Have you ever been lonely?”
Tom
August 16, 2015 at 9:58 pm
beauty and the beast ( celine Dione. Aaron Neville ft Linda Ronstadt..Dont know much. George Michael ft Elton John..Dont let the sun go down on me
Joni
September 21, 2015 at 8:33 pm
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell or Willie Nelson or Linda Rondstadt or anyone! Sweetest harmony ever.
Buck
September 22, 2015 at 12:34 pm
Not nearly enough country duets on here. How can you omit Porter & Dolly? Conway & Loretta? And all those many hits the Everly Brothers recorded?
Madel smith
September 23, 2015 at 6:06 am
nelson eddy and Jeannette McDonald an springtime
SamToocan
October 11, 2015 at 2:09 am
Here are some of my favourite duets:
Mockingbird – James Taylor & Carly Simon
Almost Paradise – Ann Wilson & Mike Reno
Tonight – David Bowie & Tina Turner
Whenever I call you friend – Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks
Where is the love – Rick Price & Margaret Ulrich
You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling – Long John Baldry & Kathy McDonald
Michael
October 26, 2015 at 12:53 pm
“When love comes to town” Bono + BB King
“Riding with the King” Clapton + BB King
“Don’t let the sun go down” George Michael + Elton John
Dennis
November 15, 2015 at 4:09 pm
Judy Garland And Barbra Streisand – Happy Days are Here Again
David Reardon
November 28, 2015 at 3:29 am
My personal favourite (I am Canadian, it gets a U) was ranked 71???????????
Notable absence, The Walker Brothers Without You!!!!!!!!
Sam
January 5, 2016 at 7:06 am
LUCKY STARS by Dean Friedman and Denise Marsa
Sam
January 5, 2016 at 7:09 am
OTHER FAVOURITE DUETS OF MINE:
1. Run to Me – Dionne Warwick and Barry Manilow
2. Nobody loves me like you do – Whitney Houston & Jermaine Jackson
3. You are everything – Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye
4. Almost Paradise – Ann Wilson & Mike Reno
5. Whenever I call you friend – Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks
mike b.
February 21, 2016 at 8:18 pm
Elvis presley and ann Margaret “the lady loves me”
Mike
March 6, 2016 at 12:29 pm
One of the best duets ever is Al Green and Lyle Lovett … Funny How Time Slips Away
Jerry Avery
March 20, 2016 at 12:39 am
This may be the WORST “All-Time” list ever published. Get the wax out of your ears and try it again . . .
Celine
April 24, 2016 at 2:23 am
Lovely to hear songs I haven’t heard in a while, and to discover some new ones! Another great duet is Jason Mraz with Colbie Caillat – ‘Lucky’. Such a happy song! 🙂
Henk Scheerooren
May 22, 2016 at 12:03 pm
Yello featuring Shirley Bassey, The Rhythm Divine
Kevin
May 23, 2016 at 1:00 am
B.B. King and Bono…..When Love Comes To Town. How did this one not get picked?
Ali Briwn
May 26, 2016 at 9:54 pm
These are all great, especially no.1! I also love Frank S and Sammy D Jr’ Me and My Shadow and Robbie W sang many really entertaining duets on his Swing When You’re Winning album and the piercing harmonies of Pie Jesu. If I ever took up singing to be recorded, I’d love to sing with someone else – so great to sing and hear voices in harmony and so much more fun!
william Hope
July 25, 2016 at 12:19 am
Some nice songs,but when I saw Andrea Bocelli and anyone and Frank and Nancy but not one Simon and Garfunkel you lost me right there
Hugh
August 14, 2016 at 5:04 am
Where is Atlantic Starr’s Always, which should be at the top 10. Where is Sheena Easton and Kenny Roger’s We’ve Got Tonight?
TexasOlw
September 8, 2016 at 7:05 am
The best duet ever is not even listed: Eric Andersen and Joni Mitchel singing Blue River.
Lorrainne Wilson
September 12, 2016 at 11:02 am
The brilliant Slim Whitman and his son, Byron Whitman…
Knut Olav Halseth
October 16, 2016 at 2:47 am
“Love Hurts” – Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris – In my opinion, the best duet ever.
Tee Staffel
October 29, 2016 at 8:25 pm
Lot missing here —
for starters — instead of one of the ones listed below Number 100 on this list of Top DUETS is “You Don’t Send Me Flowers Anymore” Neil Diamonds SOLO version?? At least add the Barbara Striesand duet version.
But how about at least ONE song from CONWAY TWITTY and LORETTA LYNN? I’m sure you could find at least ONE from DOLLY PARTON and PORTER WAGNONER — none listed. One of the acknowledged all time greats which actually introduced a whole new timeless concept of music videos is HANK & HANK Jr. “There’s a Tear in My Beer” — this led to one you have on the list that should be ranked higher : Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole breathtaking duet which was such a sensation (and deservedly so) when it came out. “Poncho & Lefty” Willie and Merle — when Merle comes in on this song to join Willie -it’s one of the best recording segments on duet of all time perhaps only eclipsed by when JUNE CARTER CASH comes in on “JACKSON” with Johnny Cash (another song NOT on this list). I would also add any of the tunes from a Tony Bennett/ KD Lang album perhaps ‘Unplugged’ but there are others — some of their earliest duets are just show stopping — two incredible talents. And to go back in the vault a bit — I liked the Kris Kristofferson / Rita Coolidge duets of earlier years and way back there’s LORRETTA LYNN’s original duet partner – ERNEST TUBB – “Thanks, Thanks a LOT” and “Mr. & Mrs. Used to Be”
Stuart Stockdale
October 31, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Play-on!
Charles
October 31, 2016 at 8:49 pm
How come Richard Max and Donna Lewis’ “At the Beginning” (Anastasia OST) didn’t make it here? @__@
Anton Korf
December 6, 2016 at 9:32 am
I know him so wel from Barbara Diksons and Elaine Page
David
December 6, 2016 at 7:32 pm
No contest. ‘Islands in the stream’ closely followed by ‘up where we belong’
JimD
December 23, 2016 at 8:04 pm
Edie Brickell, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson singing Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,,,,,on YouTube….for Willie’s Birthday Bash
Viviana M
December 26, 2016 at 4:22 am
With you I’m born again. Vanessa Williams & George Benson and Billy Preston & Syreeta!!!
Larry
January 17, 2017 at 12:09 am
Women, I go to Pieces several others by Peter & Gordon also Chad & Jeremy willow weep for me. Righteous Brothers should have more
Roger
February 16, 2017 at 2:44 pm
Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn, God Bless America Again! One of the greatest duets of all times.
Bob Loving
April 2, 2018 at 2:50 pm
Didn`t see it on here but one very unusual one is Bing Crosby and David Bowie” Little Drummer Boy” also anything by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell.
Zintle Nyembe
November 18, 2018 at 12:10 am
Roberta Flack with Donny Hathaway,Marvin Gaye with Dianna Ross/Mary Wells/Tammi Terrel
Michael McDonald with Kenny Logginns
Mick Jagger with Peter Tosh
zunelander
April 30, 2020 at 12:23 am
Where’s the list? The one with Donna Summer’s “Love To Love You, Baby” at number one? That wasn’t a duet?