Stop, Collaborate and Listen, #15 - 11

#20 - 16

#15. CRAWL HOME

by PJ Harvey and Josh Homme

When rock is dark, powerful and thick like molasses, yet composed, taught and direct like a cross bow I’m drawn in. I’m gripped by fear and that messy emotional ball of spiteful anguish that I’ve been pushing deep down inside for endless years is pierced. A forceful stream of aggressive motion is forced through my blood, injected into my muscles and releases as a furious flailing of limbs, pointing, clenching and thrusting the air with vigorous bile. This is the effect that the mastery of the entire Desert Sessions Vol 9/10 has on me, and one of my fave tracks is one of the several duets by a couple of insanely talented musicians.

‘Crawl Home’ is quite simply an amazing piece of rock gold that has been birthed from the brains, fingers and mouths of two of the most respected denizens of the rockosphere, PJ Harvey and Josh Homme. That bass line is a long rough road and the rhythm guitar is driving with purpose over the top through the gravel while PJ lays a sharp, howling tongue lashing on JH and JH whimpers like a cowering child. It’s epic. It’s amazing. I must be excused as I can feel a bout of flailing about to bubble out. (Nayt Housman)

#14. ENDLESS LOVE

by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie

And your eyes (your eyes, your eyes), they tell me how much you caaaaare. You think you're totally cool for not liking this duet, don't cha? Well, buddy... old pal... I'm here to tell you that you ain't cool unless you like 'Endless Love'. And if liking 'Endless Love' makes you cool, consider me Miles Davis! Alright, so my (endless) love for one of the most successful duets of all time comes back to the movie Happy Gilmore. If you've seen it, you probably mouth along to both Lionel Richie and Diana Ross' vocals, just like the poor old zamboni driver standing in the darkness. In all seriousness though, there's a reason why 'Endless Love' came in at #1 on US Billboard's list of greatest duets. Actually, there's plenty of reasons why. Two superstars combining their talents and silky smooth voices to create one super fine love ballad that still gets busted out at weddings and karoke (there's a rumour that our own Lou partakes in this) to this day. Yes, it comes served with extra cheese, but Ross and Richie sell that cheese like there's no tomorrow. It speaks to the romantic side in all of us, no matter how cool we think we might be.


Considering her past as the front for The Supremes, it comes as a surprise that 'Endless Love' was the most successful song of her illustrious career... and her 18th #1 single to boot! Richie wrote the song. Which means he's responsible for lyrics like, "two hearts, two hearts that beat as one, our lives have just begun," that can both warm your heart and leave a little scunched up look on your face. At the same time. The track would spend nine weeks at #1 in the USA, kicking off a decade of hits for a man that would go on to be known as Nicole's dad or that dude that sings inside your fridge. Despite my digs, you can't take away from Richie's voice, which harmonises so well with Ross that your heart could actually start melting from the heat their chemistry generates. Something that I didn't know, was that 'Endless Love' was the theme to the film of the same name, which starred Brooke Shields. If you ever get a chance, I strongly encourage you to read the Wikipedia plot section and attempt to explain how 'Endless Love' the song could possibly work with Endless Love the movie. (Matt Bond)

#13. I'LL BE MISSING YOU

by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans

Look, I need to be honest here - I’ve never really been a big fan of Puff Daddy, P Diddy, or whatever it is he’s calling himself these days, but this song is the exception to the rule. The sampling used from The Police’s ‘Every Breath You Take’ may have something to do with it. Faith Evans super smooth vocals may have something to do with it. Watching ole mate Diddy/Daddy/whatever writhe around on the floor during the film clip in one of the worst attempts at acting ever may have something to do with it. All of these things and more make it a song I love and would happily belt out at karaoke. And as a fan of all things daggy, it just so appeals to me. This song makes me want to teleport back to 1997 wearing a furry white hat. Or puffy pants. Or both. This song is a totally worthy contender on our duets countdown. Don’t just take my word for it though (like you ever would). Worldwide sales show that many peeps have a soft spot in their hearts for it. The fact that it was a tribute for Notorious B.I.G. may have been an influencing factor (if you need the 411, here it is – Notorious B.I.G. was an American rapper shot dead in a drive-by). But hey, it even won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. (Katie Langley)

#12. LEATHER AND LACE

by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley

Let's start with my most recent reason for loving 'Leather and Lace'. I was talking to my sister Sam about this little duets countdown we've got going and how Stevie Nicks and Don Henley would be making an appearance. In turn, Sam told me that if she ever renews her vows, has a second wedding to her husband or whatever you'd call it... anyway, she would wear lace, her husband would wear leather and this song would get played on repeat. I practically begged her to make this happen as soon as possible. It's like some sort of magical Stevie Nicks themed wedding. It's just too much. Sam, if you're reading, you really need to do this!


Moving right along, let's talk about 'Leather and Lace'. The breakout star of Fleetwood Mac teaming with her counterpart from The Eagles. Sparks flew when two of rock music's most celebrated performers joined up for Nicks' second solo single. Its released followed another of Nicks' duets, 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around', which featured Tom Petty. While the latter climbed higher on the charts, it's the more complex 'Leather and Lace' I'd give the nod to as the favoured Nicks collaboration. Which is why you're reading about it here. Duh. Nicks has always been a fantastic storyteller, one of the greatest the music industry has ever seen, and 'Leather and Lace' treads in the bittersweet territory that so many of her other great works have. Presented as an honest conversation between two lovers (urgh, just pretend that word was preceded by meat and followed by pizza), we witness the ups and downs of a relationship expected to stand the test of time.


"Lovers forever, face to face, my city or mountain, stay with me stay, I need you to love me, I need you to today, give to me your leather, take from me my lace."


I think the lines, "I need you to love me, I need you today," hold a reserved desperation from Nicks that can make you rethink the entire relationship between her and Henley's 'characters'. But given Nicks' relationship to Henley (read, more than friends), it could be more than just playing roles, particularly given that Henley offered a lot of input into the writing. And since Nicks likes to throw much of her own private life into her music, it's believed that the song is about two rock stars. So it could be her and Henley. Or it could be about former Fleetwood Mac flame, Lindsey Buckingham. Whoever it's about, it makes for good drama and even better music. Nicks' voice is perfect, as always, and Henley matches her every step of the way. This is a duet packed full of real tension, a healthy dose of rock and roll charm and, at the end of the day, it's got Stevie Nicks in it. That's more than enough for it to get some love from me. (Matt Bond)

#11. I’VE SEEN IT ALL 

by Bjork and Thom Yorke

Bjork has for a very long time been a mainstay in my musiverse and when it was announced she was to star in a movie called Dancer In The Dark, a great amount of excitement filled my teenage brain that was overcome with a bilious wave of joy and anticipation. The movie and soundtrack were given to me on my 18th birthday from my mumma and the love affair with its lead single ‘I've Seen It All’ was quite instant.


"I've seen it all, I've seen the trees, I've seen the willow leaves dancing in the breeze." Such simple sentiments fill this song with a rebellious longing against an inevitable tragedy of the films main character dealing with losing her sight. It's the too and fro of her convincing her loved one that everything is going to be okay while also giving herself the kind of pep talk we as humans give when coming to terms with the heavy weight of our own fragility and mortality. Adding to the gravity of the track is the call and response between Bjork's projected innocence and Thom Yorke's effortless ethereal sensitivity, both dripping with heart, mourning and deviance.


It remains a song that is simultaneously uplifting and completely devastating. I ache completely at the force created by the combination of Bjork and Thom Yorke and fall helplessly at the feet of ‘I've Seen It All’. Helpless in its divine power and humanity. (Nayt Housman)



And that's it for part two... we'll be back with five more fantastic duets each Friday in May. Whoever could be next....?

Stop, Collaborate and Listen, #20 - 16

It has been far too long since the It's My Kind of Scene team came together, let their powers combine and take you on another exciting musical journey. You know what this means right? It means we're doing another countdown! And while the title could have made you thinks we're looking at the best Vanilla Ice songs (aka the shortest countdown of all-time), we'll have to apologise to the four of you wanting that and instead direct you to this countdown which is comprised of our favourite duets. Now, to avoid total chaos and potentially triggering a choice meltdown from the contributors, we've limited these duets to two acts. So soz, 'Lady Marmalade' fans... Xtina, P!nk, Lil' Kim and the other one won't be showing up. At least not as a foursome. S'ok... welcome to the Top 20 Duets countdown. Get ready to stop, collaborate and listen and maybe you'll even get to stop, drop and roll. Because these songs are hot... or something. From Jo, Nayt, Katie, Matt and Lou... enjoy!

#20. SISTERS ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES

by Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox

Mid 80s, two vocal giants joined forces to create this girl power anthem. Pop songstress and Eurythmics front woman, Annie Lennox in tandem with queen of soul, Aretha Franklin. They sung with power and grace and much eighties grunt in the duet 'Sisters are Doing it For Themselves'. Although the song was penned by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart under their band The Eurythmics, Aretha also released it on her own album.


I have to admit, the first time I heard this song it was on Australian TV show Young Talent Time. The cover version I first heard was sung by Dannii Minogue and her sister Kylie. I was immediately won over by the groove and the words (and probably entranced by the sparkles and the ridiculously larger than life hair dos the 80s – and Young Talent Time - were famous for). It wasn’t long after though that I heard the original, which was by far superior in delivery and soul. It was the birth for me of 80s power dance moves (which I still use today on the dance floor thank you very much). My own sister and I used to dance around the house singing this song and pretending we were big pop stars. Power moves aside, this song was also good signpost as an impressionable youngster to feel like as a female I had a future ahead of me that I was very capable of directing just as I please.


I have always been fascinated by Annie Lennox. Her white blonde hair, big voice and her somewhat androgynous appearance bowed to no preconceived feminine mould and instead put her into a class all of her own. Lennox had (and still does) the talent to make a pop song stick in your head. Add Aretha Franklin to this already tower house of power and poptastic music and you have one dynamite song. Being the original deliver of the 'Respect' message in the song of the same title, Aretha not only stood tall for racial equality but for us chicky babes too. (Lou Endicott)

#19. WHEN YOU'RE GONE

by Melanie C and Bryan Adams

Well well well, the fact that this song was brought up numerous times by numerous and very different people when I mentioned in passing conversation that we were doing a duets countdown on this here blog did make me giggle. I mean, it’s by Bryan Adams and the Spice Girl no one ever mentions as their favourite (except probably me. Well, she was the one who could sing), but the fact that people (my friends) remember it also made me ponder. Why? What is it about this song that people remember as a great duet? 

We could get all philosophical and speak of the beginnings of a new romance, that bouncy feeling in your belly when you are not with that said person you like, the thoughts of none other than the one who has captured your imagination, the inability to function on a normal level because of all the freakin good hormones coursing through your veins (I don’t know where hormones actually go, I’m a blogger, not a doctor) and the fact that when one is obsessing about another it’s true; “even food don’t taste that good” or on the other hand we could speak of the upbeat tempo of said song, major v minor keys, blah blah blah, but you know what? It’s just a goddamn good pop song, sung by the Spice Girl with the best voice and an old man who I don’t love but who certainly knows how to write a hit song. Combine the two averages and you got yourself some magical pop music. (Jo Michelmore)

#18. SOMEWHERE OUT THERE

by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram

And the childhood memories just come flooding back. Le sigh. Anyone that's seen the 80s animated classic, An American Tail will have a lot of love for 'Somewhere Out There'. In the movie, two Russian-Jewish mice siblings sing this song about a loved one being oh so far away to each other. They're far away from each other because Fievel got lost or something Finding Nemo-ish. It's not as weird as it sounds... not even a little, not even a lot. Now, back in the day, before the wonders of the internet made it easy for us all to plunder movies and music like the thieving cyber pirates we are, songs were used to promote moofies. Bring in a couple of 'hot' music stars, slap together a dodge music video with cuts to scenes from the film you're promoting, corporate synergy blah blah blah... you've gone to see the movie. How many people saw Titanic because of Celine Dion? More than you'd think... because Celine Dion is amazing. Anyway, Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram were tasked with taking over vocal duties from Fievel Mousekewitz and his older sister Tanya, to create a poptacular vocal duet that will be loved until the end of time. And get people's butts into movie theatres.


'Somewhere Out There' has a special place in the hearts of many 80s and 90s kids, but it won't just go down in history for its association to An American Tail. Get this... it won Song of the Year at The Grammys in 1988. Amazing! In your face, Suzanne Vega's 'Luka' and U2's 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'! Of course, it helps that Ronstadt and Ingram's voices fit together so smoothly. Like, this is some sappy/wanky material  right here, but these two sing the shit out of it, so you can't hate on it. How could you hate on it? The Grammy voters couldn't. So how can you? Don't answer that. And just in case you forgot this was an 80s number, you just wait for that guitar solo to kick in. It's ridiculous and brilliant and you'll be left wondering why there isn't a saxophone solo to really sell that this is the 80s! The person I've grown into might hear a track like this today and say something along the lines of, "what a total wank-fest," but when it comes to tracks like this from my childhood, I can't help but love them. This is one duet I'll always love and seriously... everytime there's a full moon and I look up at it, the tune is like BAM! right in my head. Anyone else? (Matt Bond)

#17. JACKSON

by Ali Barter and Steven Clifford

I had two trains of thought when it came to deciding on my favourite duets. One involved some of the silliest songs and combinations of artists, you know the types, which songs always made me sing along manically and made me laugh because they were so absurdly duet-ey. The other thought process was a little less silly and a little more ‘sigh’. While some combinations of artists bring about the most fun music can offer, some combinations of incredibly talented artists bring about the most emotional and heart wrenching sounds music can offer. This brings me to one of my favourite covers and also one of my favourite duets, ever.


Ali Barter is a Melbourne based singer/songwriter who is quite a talent all on her own, with an incredible ability to convey all sort of thoughts with her delicate voice. Steven Clifford is one part of one of my favourite Australian bands, The Hello Morning, with a voice that transcends time creates the most intense goosebumps with his husky tones. Last year they came together and recorded ‘Jackson’; an up-tempo song originally by June and Johnny Cash. What Ali and Steven managed to do was turn what was once a kind of cute little tale into the most touching, tear-jerking heartbreaker I’ve heard in a long, long time. When Ali almost coldly takes Johnny’s line “all them women gonna make me, teach them what they don’t know how” and Steven replies later with the husky “goodbye was all she wrote”; that’s when it hits hard, that’s when describing music in simple words becomes almost impossible. It creates the same spine-tingling-stop-everything feeling now as it did when I first heard it and when I wrote about this song for the first time last year, I said something that deserves repeating, because in my world, there’s not a better way to describe it and, well, it’s true; “this is what beautiful, honest music sounds like.” (Jo Michelmore)

#16. BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

by Ray Charles and Betty Carter

During my teenage years an elderly gentlemen who lived across the street from me gave me a cassette with a jazz program he had taped off the radio. I popped it into my pink ghetto blaster (that’s what we used to call iPods), and was immediately entranced by this bygone era. The smoothness and sentimentality of jazz hit me right in the heart. The tape had a scratchy version of Ray Charles and Betty Carter singing this duet, 'Baby It’s Cold Outside'. Apart from being entranced by the smooth voice of Ray Charles and Betty Carter’s whispery girly tone, I was also entertained by the theatrical dialogue in the song. I enjoyed the song so much that by the time I had replaced my pink ghetto blaster with a sleek black five CD stacker stereo (yes the 90s) I had another copy of the song - this time digitally remastered on disc.


The song itself is quite hilarious in a modern day take. A man and woman share an evening together at his house. The girl decides it’s time to go because who knows what “the neighbours might think” and her “mother will start to worry” and of course “there’s bound to be talk tomorrow…” It paints a picture of an era where the politics of sex and romance were strictly governed by keeping up appearances and following a well worn path of chastity (particularly for women). The song is a gentle call and response with the girl giving reasons to go and the boy giving all kinds of suggestive body warming techniques because “it’s cold outside.” Perhaps the creepiest/funniest part of the song (in a modern day take) is the lyric Betty sings. “Say, what’s in this drink?” For its kitsch factor (and lovely delivery of instrumentation and vocals) 'Baby It’s Cold Outside' is still a staple in my jazz playlist. (Lou Endicott)


And that's it for this week... We'll be back with five more fantastic duets each Friday in May. Stay tuned! 
 

Countdown: Duets

DUETS

Twenty years ago, a duet between two superstars would be a pretty big deal in the eyes of the people. In today's musical climate it would seem that in order to make a song a hit it has to be a collaboration between two or more music stars. Ok, I might be over exaggerating a little but there are a lot of duets in the market right now. Currently Usher and Will.I.Am are at the top of the worldwide chart, followed closely by Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg, B.o.B and Hayley Williams, Lady Gaga and Beyonce and Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber. OHMYGOD JUSTIN BIEBER!!! She's awesome. Anyway, from a record companies perspective a duet makes a lot of sense. Get two artists, preferably from differing genres (which would mean differing fan bases) in the studio and cash in on the extra exposure the song will receive. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Let's look at twenty of the best... Oh and I'm not counting covers, so sorry to any Bowie/Jagger enthusiasts out there.

20 - Telephone

Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce

Premature? Maybe. Amazing? Yes! It's ok, you're allowed to admit that you love it. The 9 minute mini-movie only helped, with fantastic lines like, "if you kill a cow you've got to make a burger." Beyonce chowing down on a dirty burrito is something I never thought I'd have the pleasure of seeing.

19 - Touch It (Mega Mix)

Busta Rhymes ft. Mary J Blige, Missy Elliott, Rah Digga, DMX, Lloyd Banks, Ne-Yo & Papoose

Segments from some of the biggest names in rap, hip-hop and R&B that are broken up by a sample of Daft Punk's 'Technologic' = collaboration win!

18 - Request + Line

Black Eyed Peas ft. Macy Gray

Remember when the B.E.P used to be cool? No? Then check out their first commercial single 'Request + Line.' The success they achieved with Macy Gray likely led to the addition of Fergie to the group. That turned out alright. What would we do without classics like 'My Humps,' and 'I Gotta Feeling?'

17 - 9 Crimes

Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan

One of Rice's greatest achievements. It's a fantastic duet that only loses points because Hannigan was part of the 'band' Damien Rice for the albums O and 9, which took away a lot of the wow factor. It wasn't the first time the two had worked together and it wouldn't be the last. Still, fantastic song.

16 - You Don't Know Me

Ben Folds ft. Regina Spektor

'You Don't Know Me' brings together two of the most criminally underrated singer/songwriters of the last decade. Luckily the two have almost cult like followings so the song proved popular on alternative and independent radio.

15 - Empire State of Mind

Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' ode to NYC became one of the biggest songs of 2009/2010 and had everyone putting their lighters in the air screaming, "YEAAAAAHHHHH." Let's hear it for New York!

14 - Get It Up

Santigold, M.I.A & Gorilla Zoe

Ever since Santigold stumbled into the mainstream in 2008 fans were salivating at the prospect of her working with the innovative (and apparently ranga hating) M.I.A. Fans got their wish granted last year in the form of 'Get It Up' which co-starred Gorilla Zoe.

13. Cop That Shit

Timbaland & Magoo ft. Missy Elliott

You can't blame Timbaland from moving in a more commercial direction and making a ton of money for himself in the process. You just need to remember that if he wanted to he could keep dropping tracks like 'Cop That Shit' that are a nice little reminder he's one of the coolest dudes in hip-hop. Add in regular guest stars Missy Elliott and the kind of weird Magoo and you've got one of the best rap songs... ever.

12. Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves

Aretha Franklin & Eurythmics

Two vocal powerhouses rocking a feminist anthem. This one gets bonus points for how unlikely it should have been for Aretha Franklin to sing alongside Annie Lennox.

11. Millionaire

Kelis ft. Andre 3000

One of popular music's true gems from 2004 saw the untouchable hit maker Andre 3000 (of OutKast) team with the girl with the milkshakes bringing all the boys to her yard. As expected, their styles worked perfectly together. Unfortunately the song didn't even see a US release, but it would go Top 5 in the UK.

10. Gold Digger

Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx

Foxx was coming off the success of his Academy Award winning portrayal of the legendary Ray Charles and Kanye was in need of a hit, so he was all like, "Jamie bro, sing a couple of lines for me in your Ray Charles voice because you're so hot right now." Foxx was like, "yeah, Ok." I'm sure there was a much better discussion about the two working together. Or was there? Yeah, probably. Anyway, 'Gold Digger' would go on to become the biggest song of West's career, placing at #9 on US Billboards biggest songs of the 2000s so far.

9. Be Faithful

Fatman Scoop ft. Crooklyn Clan

"Engine, engine number 9, on the New York transit line, if my train goes off the track, pick it up, pick it up, PICK IT UP!" A song designed to get people on the D-Floor with their hands in the air. I'd say they achieved what they set out to do.

8. Duet

Rachael Yamagata & Ray Lamontagne

If less is supposedly more, a perfect example would be the amazing duet by indie darling, Rachael Yamagata and rising folk star, Ray Lamontagne, aptly titled, 'Duet.' Just the two singing a quiet song as Lamontagne strums his acoustic guitar. It's like chicken soup for the ears. Or the soul. I'm not good with metaphors or analogies or anything really. I'm just trying to say the song's amazingly beautiful.

7. Son of a Gun

Janet Jackson ft. Carly Simon & Missy Elliott

Before the world was exposed during "Nipplegate" at the Super Bowl, Janet was one of the hottest acts in town. In 2001 she was able to get Carly Simon to sing parts from her hit single 'You're So Vain,' alongside the biggest female rapper in the world, Missy Elliott.

6. Breathe

Blu Cantrell ft. Sean Paul

'Breathe' was able to go to #1 in the UK for four weeks and reach the top tier of charts worldwide (except for the USA who must not have appreciated good music in 2003) with very little promotion from Blu's record company, Arista. It was the demand from fans to see the song added to radio, to have it released and to have a music video produced that makes it one of the coolest duets in recent memory. While you wouldn't exactly call Cantrell or Paul 'popular' anymore, if you do happen to be a fan of either of them, you can listen to 'Breathe' and smile.

5. Stan

Eminem ft. Dido

The song would introduce the world to the sweet vocal stylings of Dido and seemingly overnight made her into one of the biggest stars in the world. It's also regarded by many critics to be the best song in Eminem's catalogue, proving that he can be so much more that a comedy rap act.

4. This Mess We're In

PJ Harvey & Thom Yorke

It's PJ Harvey and the voice of Radiohead. What more do you want?

3. Where the Wild Roses Grow

Nick Cave ft. Kylie Minogue

Nick Cave's writing has always been his greatest strength and he wrote a masterpiece in 'Where the Wild Roses Grow,' the first single from 1996s Murder Ballads. Minogue happened to be moving in a more alternative direction throughout the mid-90s and fitted in perfectly as the murdered beauty Elisa Day. This would be Cave's biggest commercial hit and Minogue's most critically acclaimed, making this the best example of a beneficial duet for each artist involved.

2. Falling Slowly

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

If you haven't heard this, or if you haven't seen the film Once, I strongly encourage you to do so. 'Falling Slowly' won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for Once which stars Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova. The two have since gone on to form The Swell Season, currently one of the more popular folk groups in the world. This song is amazing. It's simple, but epic; sad, but sweet.

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1. Walk This Way

Aerosmith & Run DMC

After the huge success of 'Walk This Way,' the music industry started looking at collaborations a little differently. It showed that you could get two groups from very different genres and still make something memorable, fun and a commercial success. Another mutually beneficial duet, the music of Run DMC would rise to prominence throughout the world and take the rap genre to previously unseen levels of popularity, and Aerosmith would once again be considered cool. I can't even remember the last time Aerosmith were considered cool.

....download....