Top 10 Pop Duets With the Best Chemistry

“When You Believe”

This track was originally recorded for DreamWorks’ movie, “The Prince of Egypt”. At the time, both Houston and Carey were at the peak of their vocal prowess. It’s a soaring, inspirational ballad, where each singer shines brilliantly. They sing the verses in turn, and then join together for the song’s final crescendo. Their chemistry shines magnificently at this point, making for an elegant yet fiery climax. It was also historic because, for some reason, the media was convinced the pair hated each other. This was a complete fabrication however, and they had a blast working together. Apparently, they had to record their parts separately, but this was entirely false and the pair only had nice things to say about each other when interviewed.

“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”

Originally, this was intended to be the theme song for the sitcom “All That Glitters”. When the show’s creator decided to settle for something else, Diamond released it on his 1977 album. It was initially just a solo performance, and was covered by Barbra Streisand the next year. Radio stations seemed fond of turning it into a duet between the two, as they mixed both versions together. It was so popular that the duet became a reality, and it dominated the billboards. From the opening lines, the chemistry is undeniable, making it one of the most poignant duets in pop history.

“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”

Long before collaborating, Michael was a massive fan of Franklin’s work. The Queen of Soul was such a favorite of his that he found the idea of a duet together terrifying. When Franklin was finally approached, it took little effort to convince her. The final result is one of the most joyous and triumphant-sounding duets ever. It’s simultaneously an 80s classic, and a timeless anthem. Beyond the vocal chemistry, this track was culturally significant for having a young pop star sing alongside soul’s greatest legend. To Michael, it was a dream come true.

“Endless Love”

According to Billboard in 2013, this is the best duet in history. While we also love the song, it doesn’t top our list. Still, there’s a plethora of ways to praise this song. Ross & Richie’s vocals blend in perfect harmony, achieving a level of intimacy few duets come close to reaching. It became Ross’ best-selling release, and was even nominated for an Oscar. For three entire weeks, it topped three separate Billboard charts. In the decades since, there have been countless covers, but none can match the intensity and chemistry that seeps from the original.

“Beautiful Liar”

This duet brought together two of the biggest global superstars of their era. In uniting Beyoncé and Shakira, the song resulted in a mesmerizing display of their talents. Their vocal chemistry is effortless, with a seamless intertwining of their distinct voices. Beyond the vocals, it’s stylistically interesting, combining the R&B of Beyoncé with the Latin beats of Shakira. The lyrics are exceptionally unique for a duet, with both singers being interested in the same dude, but ultimately deciding not to bother. Its video was also iconic, with choreography that was created pretty much on the spot. The duo only had 40 minutes to practice, with Shakira coming up with the bulk of it.

“Shallow”

While Lady Gaga is primarily a musician, she’s also a skilled actress, as shown by her performance in “A Star Is Born”. The movie’s most pivotal track was “Shallow”, which was released alongside it as its lead single. It became an instant classic, getting nominated for seven Grammy Awards, and winning the Oscar for best song. It’s more than deserving of these accolades, being arguably the most emotional duet in cinema history. A major factor is the genuine chemistry you can feel between the performers. Their voices complement each other wonderfully, with Cooper’s rough delivery contrasting heavily with Gaga’s powerful vocals. Their on-screen performance is so convincing that their chemistry feels completely real.

“Islands in the Stream”

Originally, this track was written with Diana Ross in mind, but it was eventually adapted to a soft rock style, closer to Parton & Rogers’ typical style. The result was a brilliant display of seamless chemistry. From the song's opening lines, their voices blend effortlessly, with Kenny’s smooth tones magnificently complimenting Parton’s bright voice. Since the original recording, Parton & Rogers maintained a strong friendship. They’ve performed the song countless times in the past few decades, with a final performance in 2017 before Rogers’ retirement. Its timeless melody and upbeat energy makes it an easy pick for our top 10.

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”

When you think of romantic duets, this tune is probably one of the first that comes to mind. This Motown classic is not just a love song, but also an anthem of resilience. From the very first verse, you can hear the infectious energy between the vocalists. A fascinating fact about the original recording is that Terrell didn’t rehearse the lyrics beforehand, although this didn’t seem to be much of an issue. The two also recorded their parts entirely separately, though you can barely tell. It quickly became one of Motown’s most defining hits, and while it’s been covered multiple times, no version tops the original in our estimations.

“I Got You Babe”

Back in the 60s, Sonny & Cher were one of the most famous pop duos, and remain as one of music’s most iconic couples. The pair divorced in 1975, but became musical giants during the 60s. One of the biggest factors for their success was “I Got You Babe”. At the time, the pair were head over heels for each other, with their romance seeping through into their performance. Interestingly, Cher initially hated the song, yet it became their most successful. It was released in 1965, and sold over 1 million copies in the same year. It has since become one of music’s most beloved duets, and its timeless charm will keep it cherished for decades to come.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

This Collab Between Giants Has Since Gone Quintuple Platinum

This Duet Was a Highlight of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”

Doesn’t Everybody Remember This Duet?

A Fake Rivalry Made This a Bestseller

There Was So Much Chemistry, Robbie Insisted It Became a Duet

“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”

Topping off our list is one of the most infectiously upbeat duets in history. It was massively inspired by Motown classics, like the previously discussed “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. Ironically, it received mixed reviews at release, with NME wishing they’d written a “more memorable song than this”. Almost 50 years later, it’s considered one of the greatest duets ever. It was the duo’s first ever number 1 and a staple of the 70s. No matter what you’re doing, or how you’re feeling, it’s a challenge to listen to this song without smiling.



Which pop duet do you think clicked the hardest? Drop them down in the comments below!





[a]TAM-ee tuh-RELL