Last week I jotted down a list of good-recall duet songs, all released during the ‘80s when ballads were created through the warmth of sophisticated-for-its-time analogue recording and formulaic, yet hook-laden pop songwriting.
While it may have been enough tackling 10 of them to prove that the era was exceptionally strong for duet recordings, there were certain songs that I and Kaye (my wife/duet singing partner at home) thought should have been on the list for the sake of emphasis.
While basically a random listing because ranking them is too tall, and debatable, an order, one may notice that this second batch is as strong as the first one, reflective in a way of just how those ‘80s love songs, the upbeat danceables not even included, were a class of their own.
Hearts Never Lie (Tiffany and Chris Farren, 1988): This song came from the same album that yielded “All This Time,” “Radio Romance,” and “It’s The Lover (Not The Love).” Yes, Tiffany had hits.
I Will Take You Forever (Christopher Cross and France Rupelle, 1988): This track about a man “who always played around” and a girl “who trusted no one” is a cut from Cross’ fourth album Back of My Mind.
Somewhere Out There (Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram, 1986): Used as theme song for an animation titled American Tail, this one won a Grammy for Song of the Year.
On My Own (Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald, 1986): A number recorded by its singers separately became the biggest hit single for both of them.
Next Time I Fall (Peter Cetera and Amy Grant, 1986): Cetera going solo resulted in two classic duet songs. This recording made it in the Top 25 Love Song Duets listed by Billboard in February 2020.
Separate Lives (Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin, 1985): A Stephen Bishop composition used in a forgotten movie received an Oscar nomination. Collins played drums on the track.
Never Gonna Let You Go (Joe Pizzulo and Leeza Miller, 1983): Brazilian legend Sergio Mendes was credited for a hit he didn’t actually sing. He didn’t even write it. Lyricist Cynthia Weil and melodist Barry Mann did. Pizzulo, also the male voice behind the other Mendes-credited ‘80s hit, certainly deserved more mention.
Up Where We Belong (Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, 1982): It’s a theme song that reached the top of US Billboard Hot 100, while the duo’s performance won a Grammy. It is heard in the closing credits of the Richard Gere film An Officer and A Gentleman.
How Do You Keep The Music Playing? (James Ingram and Patti Austin, 1982): Some songs outlived movies they were used in, like this tune that became a popular standard. The fairly fine film Best Friends starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn.
Endless Love (Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, 1981): Penned by Richie and inserted as theme for the movie adaptation of Scott Spencer’s novel of the same name, this gem became the most successful duet in the rock era and the second biggest-selling single of that year.