80's Duets: Yello feat. Shirley Bassey- The Rhythm Divine

Back in 1987, Yello approached Shirley Bassey for a possible collaboration on one of their song which written specially with her voice in mind. She agreed to do the duet and so "The Rhythm Divine" was released during the same year and it also appeared on Yello's album One Second. Billy MacKenzie, lead singer of The Associates, who had previously worked with Yello on several occasions, also contributed on this song and he provided the backing vocals. 

 

80's Duets: Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush- Don't Give Up (version 2)

"Don't Give Up" was written by Peter Gabriel and recorded as a duet with Kate Bush for Gabriel's album 'So'. The single was released in 1986, peaking at number nine in the UK charts. It describes the despair of a man who feels isolated and defeated by the economic system, and the support and wise counsel sung in the refrain. There were two videos for this song directed by Godley & Creme. The first consisted of a single take of the singers in an embrace, as the sun enters total eclipse and re-emerges. The second featured Gabriel and Bush's faces superimposed over film of a town and its people in disrepair.

 

80's Duets: Dusty Springfiled and Pet Shop Boys- Nothing Has Been Proved

Pet shop Boys had two collaborations with the female singer Dusty Springfiled. Their first hit "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" was released in 1987 and became a huge hit in the UK and USA as well as Springfield's biggest hit in the US. The song's success helped revive Springfield's career and led to a resurgence of interest in her music. Following the duet the Pet Shop Boys wrote and produced the singles "Nothing Has Been Proved" and "In Private" for Springfield, both included on her 1990 album 'Reputation'. The song prominently features an orchestral arrangement by Angelo Badalamenti and a tenor saxophone solo by Courtney Pine.

 "Nothing Has Been Proved" was composed specifically for the 1989 film 'Scandal' and the music video shows Springfield in the studio along with a Christine Keeler lookalike being interviewed with camera flash bulbs going off. Along with these come short reels from the film Scandal starring Joanne Whalley, John Hurt, Sir Ian McKellen, Britt Ekland, and Bridget Fonda as well as original news footage from 1963. The Pet Shop Boys play journalists interviewing Christine.

 

80's Duets: Robert Görl & Annie Lennox- Darling Don't Leave Me

Robert Görl released his second single “Darling Don’t Leave Me” in 1983. The song featured Annie Lennox as guest vocalist at the time she already enjoyed some success with her original band Eurythmics. The song was written by Robert Görl, produced by Mike Hedges and released on Mute.

80's Duets: Bronski Beat & Marc Almond

Bronski Beat who had huge international success with "Smalltown Boy" in 1984 were joined by Marc Almond, a year later and released their own version of Donna Summer's classic "I Feel Love". The full version of the song also featured parts of "Love to Love You Baby" and John Leyton's "Johnny Remember Me". It was a success and reached #3 in the UK.

 

80's Duets: Midge Ure & Mick Karn- After Fashion

In 1983, just after Japan split, Mick Karn teamed up with Midge Ure to record a single "After Fashion" which was released in the same year and which entered the UK top 40. During 2010 has been diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer and died in January this year. Midge Ure was among the artists planning another fund raising concert for the old friend. Here is a rare video for the single "After Fashion"(poor quality).

80's Duets: David Sylvian & Sakamoto Ryuichi- Forbidden Colours

"Forbidden Colours" was the second collaborative single release for David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The song composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto with lyrics by David Sylvian was released in 1983 and it was the vocal version of the theme from the Nagisa Oshima's film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence". Both artists have recorded several interpretations of the song, both instrumental and vocal and it appeared as a B-side to David Sylvian's release "Red Guitar".

80's Duets: Sparks & Jane Wiedlin- Cool Places

As a big fan of Sparks in the early 80's Jane Wiedlin recorded a duet with Ron and Russel in 1983. The song "Cool Places" was taken form Sparks' album "In Outer Space" which remained their biggest hit in the USA. Wiedlin also helped promote the album on tour and appeared at a few gigs to perform the duets.

80' Duets: The The & Sinead O'Connor- Kingdom of Rain

The English group The The was involved in many various musical projects and have recorded many duets during their existence. Collaborators and contributors list includes among others: Thomas Leer, Neneh Cherry, Marc Almond, Anna Domino, Lloyd Cole and many more. Their song "Kingdom of Rain" which features Sinead O' Connor on vocals was taken from the album 'Mind Bomb' and it was released in 1989.

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80's Duets: Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder- "Good-Bye Bad Times"

In 1985 Philip Oakey took a break from the Human League and teamed up with Giorogio Moroder to record a collaborative album. The album is most notable for containing the song "Together in Electric Dreams", which was the title track for the movie Electric Dreams and a major hit single. "Good-Bye Bad Times" was released during the same year, never reached the success of the first single, but the video for the song was quite a high budget production filmed in black and white, directed by Steve Barron set in 19th century London.

 

80's Duets: Bananarama & Fun Boy Three- "Really Saying Something"

During the 1982, early Bananarama and Fun Boy Three recorded two duets. The three women provided credited chorus vocals on the hit "T'ain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)" and the Fun Boy Three later sang on the Bananarama song "Really Saying Something". Both songs were released as singles during the same year and also appeared on both bands' albums.

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80's Duets: Barbara Gaskin & Dave Stewart- "It's My Party"

After the successful 'Nude Wave' series which was featured last year we will serve you the best duets from the 80's decade during this year. Every month will feature one special video and we will start things of with with Barbara Gaskin & Dave Stewart and their 30 years anniversary cover "It's My Party".