Duet To It

Here at "Sound Effects" we believe in the power of two. In tomorrow's Globe and right now over at Boston.com we take a look at how the hip-hop shift in the pop world transformed the traditional duet. Where two singers once came together we now have rappers and vocalists teaming up for the ever-popular "featuring" format that rules the charts. (Think "Yeah!' by Usher featuring Ludacris or "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce featuring Jay-Z, or pretty much half the songs in the current top 40).

Tons of great songs have come out in this format over the last ten years but hearing "No Air" by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown got us to thinking about all those great old duets from the '60s-'90s.

As a sidebar to the story we could only fit in 20 of our faves. (Click here for a look at that list, pictures, and videos). But here on the blog we wanted to stretch out and include even more, because once we started compiling the list, we had friends, family, and everyone within shouting distance of our cubicle offering up suggestions of treasured classics- and not so classics- and songs that didn't fit the nitpicky rules of the main story which focused on big pop chart hits, not deep cuts or one-offs like some of those listed below. (Some of those rules still apply here like no songs by groups that were established as duos- sorry Sonny & Cher, Simon & Garfunkel, and Peaches & Herb- or had male/female lead singers like Human League.)

So we've added about 30 more and wanted to single out a few for special praise either for the quirkiness of the pairing, the sweet video that made the song seem better than it was, or the moment in time that it captured. Please feel free to add your choices in the comments because with hundreds of great options there's no way we could list them all.

"Baby, It's Cold Outside," Ricardo Montalban & Esther Williams. This song has been done by dozens of terrfic pairs but we're partial to this sweet and sassy version from the movie "Neptune's Daughter.' Check out Mr. Rourke's pipes!

"Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth," David Bowie & Bing Crosby. Hands down our favorite Christmas duet. Whoever thought to put these two unlikely partners together is a genius.

"Hate That I Love You," Ne-Yo & Rihanna. Of the few recent bona fide duets we like this easy, breezy one because it captures that feeling of being attracted to a person who drives you crazy and knows all the right buttons to push.

"Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy," Judy Garland & Barbara Streisand. We remain amazed at the skill displayed by these two divas.

"The Weight," The Band & The Staples Singers. Do two groups count as duet? We don't care. This clip from "The Last Waltz" is the definition of soul-stirring.

"There's Nothing Better Than Love," Luther Vandross & Gregory Hines. They may both be gone now but this sweet little tune lives on to remind us of how smooth they both were.

And in no particular order:

"I Never Talk To Strangers," Bette Midler & Tom Waits
"U Got the Look," Prince & Sheena Easton
"What Have I Done to Deserve This," Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
"The Heart Won't Lie," Reba McEntire & Vince Gill
"I Knew You Were Waiting For Me," George Michael & Aretha Franklin
"Fairytale of New York," The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl
"When Love Comes to Town," U2 & B.B. King
"Dancing in the Streets," David Bowie & Mick Jagger
"Say, Say, Say," and "The Girl is Mine," Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney
"Does He Love You," Reba McEntire & Linda Davis
"Whenever I Call You Friend," Stevie Nicks & Kenny Loggins
"Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
"The Closer I Get To You," Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
"Did You Evah," Iggy Pop & Debbie Harry
"Don't Give Up," Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush
"Tiny Dancer," Elton John & Ryan Adams (From CMT's excellent duet series "Crossroads")
"On My Own," Patti Labelle & Michael McDonald
"Devoted to You," Carly Simon & James Taylor
"Tramp," Otis Redding & Carla Thomas
"Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves," Annie Lennox & Aretha Franklin
"The Next Time I Fall," Peter Cetera & Amy Grant
"Mendocino County Line," Willie Nelson & Leann Womack
"Easy Lover," Phil Collins & Phillip Bailey