Top 10 Songs with Famous Backing Singers You Never Noticed

Chappell Roan for Olivia Rodrigo

Everybody needs to start somewhere in order to get experience for a job, right? That experience within the music industry is often either behind the scenes in production and songwriting or recording some backing vocals for an established artist. Chappell Roan did just that on several songs for Olivia Rodrigo prior to achieving chart success of her own. The “HOT TO GO!” singer assisted Rodrigo on “get him back!,” “lacy” and “Can't Catch Me Now” before joining Rodrigo’s tour. Call it a case of musical kismet that brought both artists together, while also creating a bit of trivia for the fans.

Robyn for Britney Spears


It sort of makes sense that fans can hear Robyn’s original backing vocals on the final version of “Piece of Me” that was performed by Britney Spears. The song was composed by a pair of Swedish composers named Bloodshy and Avant. Robyn hails from that same county, and “Piece of Me” was actually intended to be recorded by the “Show Me Love” singer. She recorded a demo version of the song that eventually made its way to Britney Spears. The latter’s re-recording actually retained Robyn’s vocals on the chorus. They’re not particularly prominent in the final mix, but fans can definitely locate them with a bit of aural detective work.

Jennifer Love Hewitt & Stacy Ferguson [aka Fergie] for Martika[a]

It was a show that ran for nearly a decade, with “Kids Incorporated” eventually becoming something of a proving ground for future stars. Mario Lopez and Jennifer Love Hewitt both spent time on the show, as did Martika, who earned a hit in 1988 with her song, “Toy Soldiers.” Hewitt actually sang backing vocals on the tune, as did one Stacy Ferguson, better known as Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas. The pair are among a group of young singers who join in with Martika on the pre-chorus and chorus for “Toy Soldiers,” adding a somewhat haunting element to what’s already a gorgeous-sounding song.

Kate Bush for Peter Gabriel


The former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel must’ve appreciated the work art rocker Kate Bush put into the studio when she recorded backing vocals for his single, “Games Without Frontiers.” That’s because the “Wuthering Heights” and “Running Up That Hill” songstress would rejoin Gabriel, this time in a duet capacity, on the song “Don’t Give Up.” It sort of makes sense, really, since both Bush and Gabriel rose up during an era where progressive-minded music was flourishing in their native Britain. The end results, meanwhile, are both beautiful and successful, as the pair’s voices perfectly complement each other.

Michael McDonald for Christopher Cross

We don’t know about you guys, but Michael McDonald could sing us the alphabet, and we’d be okay with it. This former Doobie Brother just possesses a voice that’s smooth as molasses and almost as thick. McDonald assisted songwriter Christopher Cross on his debut album, singing backup vocals on the hit single, “Ride Like the Wind.” Sure, it sounds like a bit of hyperbole, but we don’t care: never has the phrase “such a long way to go” sounded so good as it does when McDonald comes in on this song. Meanwhile, the harmony vocals on the vocalized bridge section offer up the perfect extra bit of sauce to this tasty, tasty tune.

Rick Astley for Elton John

Sir Elton was certainly not getting Rick Rolled when “Never Gonna Give You Up” singer Rick Astley joined John on “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” This tune for Disney’s “The Lion King” was just one of several times Elton John asked for some assistance on backing vocals. The piano man collaborated with George Michael on “Nikita” in 1985 and Dusty Springfield in 1974 for “The Bitch Is Back.” Meanwhile, Astley is joined by Take That singer Gary Barlow, with both lending their talents to Elton John’s lead vocal for results that are simply splendid.

Cher for The Righteous Brothers

Phil Spector may have possessed a controversial and mercurial reputation as a studio maestro, but that didn’t mean that he also didn’t have an eye for talent. This is evidenced by Spector’s decision to include a very young Cher as a member of the backing vocalist crew for “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by The Righteous Brothers. The “Wall of Sound” technique pioneered and made famous by Spector sounds great here, with the backing vocals peaking out before the chorus and reappearing around the bridge section. Granted, it’s Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield who are the clear stars of the show here, but Cher’s work in the background is subtle, but definitely welcomed.

John Lennon for David Bowie


Sometimes, it just sort of makes sense for two famous celebrities to work together and collaborate. It’s not as common for one of those celebrities to take a back seat, however, such as when The Beatles’ John Lennon helped out buddy David Bowie on his 1975 track “Fame.” The song, perhaps obviously, would go on to become a hit, but “Fame” isn’t primarily remembered today for Lennon’s vocal contributions. This speaks to the subtlety of the latter’s performance, who doesn’t step all over the song’s toes. Instead, Bowie remains the star, as “Fame” struts its sexy groove all over the place.

Mick Jagger for Carly Simon

So much has been made over the subject matter of “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon over the years., with rumors and conjecture over who, exactly, could Simon be referring to within her lyrics. The latter has confirmed a partial bit of truth over the years since its 1972 release, revealing actor Warren Beatty to be the subject of one of the song’s verses. Simon has also gone on record stating that the song’s background vocalist, Mick Jagger, is NOT one of the men sung about in the song. The legendary Rolling Stones frontman was invited by Simon to perform on the track, and the end results are similar to John Lennon’s work for David Bowie, in that they’re subtle and unobtrusive.

Michael Jackson for Rockwell

We’ve covered a lot of examples on this list thus far of backing vocalists who have worked in harmony with the lead performers. This one, however, is a bit different, since it’s such a clear case of the background singer stealing ALL of the spotlight from the alleged “star” of the show. Because, c’mon, has anybody, then OR now, rocked “Somebody’s Watching Me” because of Rockwell’s half-spoken/half-sung verses? Absolutely not. The only reason this song became a hit, other than its gloriously spooky video, was the fact that Michael Jackson sang the chorus. And what a chorus, right? It single handedly took what was essentially a novelty single and turned it into a Halloween tradition.


What are some other examples of backing vocalists stealing the show? Let us know in the comments!




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