Top 10 Surprisingly Incredible Live Music Duets

“Moth into Flame” (2017)

Over the years, Gaga has delved into a lot of different genres. Heavy metal was not necessarily one we would’ve expected to see. But by the way she blended right in with genre legends Metallica at the 2017 Grammys, we would’ve thought it was the style she felt most at home in. She gives a full-throated assist on this song and Metallica lead vocalist James Hetfield looks genuinely happy to perform with her. What’s more, her harmonies give the song’s melodic, hard-driving choruses an extra boost. Unfortunately, on the night of, sound issues plagued the performance. Luckily, we have a pristine dress rehearsal to listen to.

“Need You Now” (2010)

The 2010 “CMT Artists of the Year” gala was a celebration of country music crossing over into the pop charts. Saluting Lady A’s ubiquitous hit, “Need You Now,” former Hootie & the Blowfish singer Darius Rucker joined Adele, who had already achieved acclaim for her debut album. They drove home the theme of the evening. As the band watched, the two delivered the song like it was their own. Rucker’s gruff voice and Adele’s soulful rasp brought new life to a song that was all over the radio. It’s also a fun little snapshot of Adele’s career just before she blew up with the release of “21.”

“Barcelona” (1987)

A duet between the Queen frontman and an opera megastar might not seem like the no-brainer it turned out to be. Freddie Mercury was a longtime admirer of Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé’s work, and the two had met a few years before they ended up collaborating on a song for the 1992 Olympics. But the first live performance of the song took place in 1987, when the duo wowed the crowds of Ibiza. It all suddenly made sense. Mercury’s flexible range and Caballé’s thrilling high notes are two sides of the same coin. The best part about it though is how clear it is they love singing together.

“Lady Marmalade” / “Time After Time” (1985)

At first listen, these two pop divas might sound like polar opposites. Cyndi Lauper was the high-pitched, high-energy pop sensation of the 1980s. Patti LaBelle started in a 60s girl group and became an icon of soul and R&B with gospel inspirations. But both of them put their big voices to good use on LaBelle’s infectious signature song and Lauper’s hit track. Harmonizing and vocalizing, their voices are a surprising fit, layering over each other so naturally it’s like they’ve been singing together forever. The two legendary singers are actually friends in real life. LaBelle is even godmother to Lauper’s son.

“It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” (2002)

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, famed vocalist Luciano Pavarotti performed a series of charity concerts featuring him and some of the biggest stars of popular music. The operatic tenor’s soaring, technically precise talent was paired with artists as varied as Sheryl Crow, Grace Jones, Barry White, and Mariah Carey. But the most surprising duet, and the most transcendent, may have been with the King of Soul, James Brown. Pavarotti was the real surprise. He kept up with Brown, and tailored his own pristine operatic style to assist on a soul classic. The two giants of their respective genres seem delighted to showcase their greatness together.

“Take Me to Church” / “I Put a Spell On You” (2015)

The Irish singer-songwriter and the former Eurythmics vocalist were both nominated at the 2015 Grammys, but their joint performance was the master stroke no one saw coming. It was a fantastic and epic intergenerational crossover. Hozier and Annie Lennox performed a mash-up of their nominated work that completely stopped the show. Scintillating and powerful, the duet became an immediate sensation. Many declared it the best performance of the night, and that’s a tall order when a show also includes appearances by Paul McCartney, Madonna, and Beyoncé. Even Lennox was flabbergasted by the response on social media.

“Redemption Song” (2015)

A lot of unexpected pairings in pop music come about because of charity. There’s nothing like a common cause to bring two very different artists together. Case in point, this performance from the 2015 Global Citizen Festival. Beyoncé joined Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder for a stripped-down, low-key duet of Bob Marley’s protest track, “Redemption Song.” The performance is just the two of them, sitting in front of microphones, pouring their hearts out. There were no pyrotechnics, no dancers, and no distractions. All that was on display was Vedder’s raw vocal and Beyoncé’s angelic crooning, and they complemented each other beautifully.

“M.A.A.D. City/Radioactive” (2014)

Lauded rapper Kendrick Lamar was nominated for seven awards at the 2014 Grammys. Rock group Imagine Dragons was nominated for two. Together, they pooled their talents and presented two of their nominated works in one glorious mash-up. Performing Lamar’s autobiographical “m.A.A.d city” and Imagine Dragons’ hit, “Radioactive,” the unlikely duet stole the entire night. The mashup was released as a single, which was credited with boosting album sales and streams for both artists. It was such a magical collaboration that they were invited to recreate their performance on “Saturday Night Live” the next week.

“Stan” (2001)

The rapper behind the Slim Shady alter ego was at the height of his fame when he dropped “Stan,” a song about an obsessive fan that became a total culture shift. Eminem’s aggressive and vulgar style was already at odds with the song’s original collaborator, the angel-voiced Dido. But facing allegations of homophobia for his lyrics, Eminem surprised everyone with a duet with Elton John at the 2001 Grammy Awards. Two artists with very distinct styles, their pairing was somehow a pitch perfect match. That chemistry carried over off-stage as well. The two have remained friends for years.


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

Genres Clashed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert

The King & Princess of Pop’s Talents Complemented Each Other Well

Two Pop Icons Just Having a Great Time, Super Casual

Country Met R&B On This Ballad at the Academy of Country Music Awards

“Fast Car” (2024)

On paper, it doesn’t sound too surprising. You’d assume two artists who record the same song have a similar musical style. But that’s not the case with Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs. Chapman is a folk, R&B, and soul artist with many years of experience in different genres, while Combs was an up-and-coming country star exploding onto the charts with his cover of her song. If the cover’s success didn’t already prove it, their performance at the Grammys is a testament to how the right song transcends genre. The two seamlessly blend their own styles in this touching performance of Chapman’s timeless folk rock ballad.


What’s a surprisingly good live duet that you’ll never forget? Tell us in the comments.