Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Best Collaboration?

Yesterday I was listening to 80s on 8 on the satellite radio in my car. I heard Walk This Way by Run DMC and Aerosmith. "This has to be the best musical collaboration of all time." OK. So I am prone to hyperbole when feeling nostalgic for the 80s, but it is pretty cool--at least I think so.

Usually when I write a music post or pose a question about, for example, the best album title or all-time coolest re-make I've secretly already made up my mind and will never be persuaded. But this time I'm really asking. What do you think? Let's decide this once and for all.

You might think, Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. But I thought Paul McCartney's duets with Michael Jackson were a lot more fun. Who doesn't love Say Say Say?(Communists.)

For a collaboration to be the good, there has to be something really satisfying in the pairing. The best is when former enemies come together. The worst is when has-been desperately embraces up-and-comer. The song also has to be good. The quality of the song can outweigh, in my opinion, a lackluster pairing.

Don't Go Breaking My Heart
by Elton John and Kiki Dee is pretty quintessential. And what about Moby? Do we need to distinguish between a duet and a collaboration? I don't know. You tell me.

21 comments:

b. said...

Elvis/Celine Dion
Prince/Sheena Easton
Jack White/Loretta Lynn
The KLF/Tammy Wynnette

b. said...

ps. I'm not sayin' those are the best collabos, just unusual ones.
(especially the last two, loved 'em)

Jenna said...

I'm sticking with the Robert Plant/Allison Kraus collaboration album. It's way up there among my favorites of all time.

La Yen said...

I second the Jack White/Loretta Lynn.

Also, didn't Shatner do a cover album or something? Because I am sure that would be GOLD.

Also, I have "Say Say Say" in my head.

Sparklebot said...

I love the Run DMC/Aerosmith collaberation. It's one of my favorite songs, definitely.

One of the creepiest collaberations, though, is that David Bowie/Bing Crosby Christmas song.

Elisa said...

"Fast Car" by Wyclef John and Paul Simon. I also remember hearing a rumor years ago about a Phil Collins/Wu-Tang Clan collaboration, but that could just have been a rumor...

Emily said...

Frank Sinatra and Bono: I've Got You Under My Skin

Emily said...

I'm also a huge sucker for this, although Rufus' mic is too loud.

Alison said...

Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow - Picture! Don't know what it is about that song - but I really like it!

The Amazing Spider-Fan said...

How about Bono and The Edge for "Spider-Man Turn off the Dark"?

The Amazing Spider-Fan said...

Whoops, I probably should have waited until the comments got out of hand till I posted that.

Jenna said...

I've had a change of heart- and I think I'm right. The evidence is here-

http://littlebirddesigndigitals.blogspot.com/2009/08/greatest-collaboration-ever.html

Karen said...

I think I like Jenna's taste! But agree with Kacy - Walk this way is one of my all time favorites!

theresa basso said...

The Lemonheads and Julianna Hatfield....
Johnny Cash and anybody...
Matthew Sweet and Suzanne Vega...
Elvis Costello and Dianna Krall...
Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey...
and my very favorite....
The Hindu Love Gods featuring Warren Zevon, Bill Berry, Mike Mills and Peter Buck.

theresa said...

Crap! I meant Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs!

Anonymous said...

Personally offended at the pointing of the creepy finger at Bing Crosby and David Bowie! Come on, it is BING CROSBY! Like he could do wrong. David Bowie, creepy. David Bowie with Bing Crosby? Christmas magic!

Alex Morrise said...

I am a huge fan of "Say Say Say", actually...

And speaking of "Johnny Cash and anybody", how about Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer covering Bob Marley? A great combination if ever there was one.

theresa said...

How could I forget Ben Folds and Regina Spector?!

Jeanne said...

How about Bare Naked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings? It's become one of my fav Christmas songs!

Another vote for Run DMC and Aerosmith! Plus, although I'm slightly embarassed to admit it, I love Lady Marmalade by Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya and Lil Kim. Now that's a good collaboration and an awesome remake to boot!

Mrs JP Chaos said...

I kinda can't believe no one mentioned Eminem and Sir Elton John.

Or should that be Sir Elton John and Eminem.

theresa said...

I heard another cool collaboration last night: The Indigo Girls and Pink! Loved it!!!