Sir Jiggsalot and the Cassette Playa
4 Likes
Next up in 9th place is CanadaMatt3004 with
Queen - Under Pressure
A well-known and widely played song, this one was difficult to rank at first. Despite not being credited on the video version, itās definitely a duet between Mercury and Bowie, although Iām not sure that having them both sing is essential since youād be forgiven for not noticing two different voices. Love the opening lick and intensity of this song but I also noticed that Iāve basically never listened to it on my own volition in the 20+ years Iāve known it, even after my wife and I watched the Freddie Mercury movies and listened to Queen for several days straight. I think my conclusion was that I donāt actually love this song as much as I expected, so this is where it ended up after deliberation.
Also had a hard time determining whether to award or detract bonus points for Vanilla Ice stealing the riff.
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Absolutely fucking love this song, now gutted it didnāt occur to me.
Iām with The Jigginator on this one. The song should feel under pressure to not be such a shitty song.
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Or maybe you should stop turning away from it like a blind man.
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Next up in 8th place is microbet with what I assume is the oldest song submitted for this category and probably the entire Walrus (1957):
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Letās Call the Whole Thing Off
The first time I saw this was submitted and listened to it, I was like āWow I canāt believe someone submitted this relic with its corny lyrics and outdated sensibilities. Do some of these even sound different? Also why did they rhyme pajamas with itself twice?ā But after listening to about half the entries, I noticed that this was the song I was humming and bouncing along to while I did work around the house. Not something that will make it into my regular playlists but definitely something I grew to appreciate more after repeated listens.
4 Likes
In 7th place we have lawnmowermanās submission of:
Iām Real - Jennifer Lopez ft. Ja Rule
This was a nifty choice for the category as I would have a blind spot for songs like this, although if Iām going to listen to Ja Rule I prefer his collaborations with Ashanti (to be fair, those might not qualify as duets upon relistening). Am I the only one who thinks Ja Ruleās music has held up fairly well and, in many cases, better than his contemporaries, despite turning into something of a joke during his heyday? He even managed to bail on Fyre Fest before things went wrong! Maybe Iām remembering things incorrectly but in any case I am usually happy when this or one of his other songs comes on the radio. Iām going to award Ja a few negative bonus points for missing out on being a bigger part of the Fast and Furious franchise.
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I listened to this and Always On Time quite a few times and finally determined, like you said, that there isnāt enough Ashanti. She just sings the hook whereas this one has them weaving in and out throughout. I eliminated some others like Under Pressure for that reason as well because a true duet is supposed to have equal emphasis on the performers. Thereās also this one to contend for best J-Lo / Ja collab:
In a way, the Ja / [J-Lo, Ashanti] pairing reminds me of Louis and Ella.
Note: One of the weird things I picked up that I canāt unhear now is how both of these songs have a prominent synthesized boing similar to a jaw harp in the left channel.
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Quite surprised Iām getting in the top half for this category.
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Maybe thereās just no method to my madness
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If hunger strike was not submitted and victorious this is completely rigged.
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I for one am enjoying your method
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Actually, it looks like youāre in luck my friend!
OK we are back up and running. Next up for 6th place and 7 points is Chuckleslovakian with
Donāt Dream Itās Over - Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande
A great original song, Iām not sure that this version adds much but itās certainly pleasant enough. You get a nice contrast between their voices, and Miley sounds especially great here with her lower register. Ultimately I think this is more about the goofy experience than being a great everyday listening choice, but as far as duets go this is pretty good since they both play off each other so well.
4 Likes
In 5th place we have SwankyWilder submitting the platonic ideal of a duet:
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton - Island in the Stream
Wow this is fast becoming an in memorium walrus, with Bill Withers, John Prine, and now Kenny Rogers. Is this song a little corny? Sure. But honestly itās great, the rhythm is catchy and the lyrics are good. I like listening to it! Mega bonus points for inspiring Ghetto Superstar as well.
(rip ODB)
2 Likes
I know itās cheese, but I do love it
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I canāt imagine listening to this song at the Crowded House final performance and not gushing water from my eyeballs.
Alright trying to knock as many of these out as possible. In fourth place we have our big climber of the round from TheDuker
Willie Nelson and Ray Charles - Seven Spanish Angels
The first time I listened to this I dismissed it as being boring and unmemorable, just another āstar-powered cash inā. However, on repeat listens I found that I enjoyed it more and more; who knows, maybe it would have won if I listened to each song 5+ times? I donāt have much else to say about this song except I was shocked that it had over 50 million views, I guess it pays to be popular in a Jiggy walrus. Give it a listen!
2 Likes