Late Night Music Part 131........."More Odd Duet Couples"

It's been 117 entries since my "Odd Couples" list a few years ago, so I figured I'd follow it up with another tribute to some of the oddest duet couples of all time. Besides cover songs, I think weird duets are my favorite thing in music. It's the unicorn of music, they are rare, but when you see them, you NEVER forget them.

In a rare "Late Night Music" feat, all songs receiving votes in this category were included.

"Peaceful World"- John Mellencamp and India Arie. This theme song for the 2001 IRL season actually premiered during the 2001 Indianapolis 500 on ABC, also heavily promoting the Mellencamp album Cuttin' Heads. I absolutely love this song and discovered it by accident, as for some reason it was on my iTunes, even though I don't remember downloading it. I love India Arie paired with anyone because she is just so talented as a musician. I think this song shows that she can rock, and it shows that John Mellencamp has a little more soul than we give him credit for. Pretty good video here, but I wish it wasn't so dark. This song did well on some minor charts, but only peaked at #104 on the Billboard Hot 100.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL28-RVO0_E

"Don't You Want To Stay"- Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson. This awesome song from Aldean's 2010 album My Kinda Party and Clarkson's 2011 album Stronger. Every time I hear this song, I think Kelly Clarkson should ditch her pop and go full time to country because this is a strange combo because of their styles, but their voices blend perfectly. I've seen them do this song together a few times, and they have such an amazing chemistry- how do artists do that? This song peaked at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Country Charts. Really good performance here from the CMA Awards, maybe even a little bit better than their memorable Grammy Performance this past year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyUZQodw_wY

"The Prayer"- Angie Stone and Josh Groban. I've ALWAYS loved this version. Josh Groban sounds like a freaking opera singer, and Angie Stone is one of the most underrated neo soul artists of all time, but can hang with this song. I'm also gonna say that she does this song better than Celine Dion, who recorded it with Groban in 2008. By the way, I HATE Celine Dion! Despite the fact the original version was actually Dion and Andrea Bocelli in 1999 (a version which was nominated an Oscar for the film The Quest For Camelot), but this one from Josh Groban's DVD Josh Groban in Concert is SO much better. I love how people say neo soul artists aren't good musicians. This duet is perfect proof of a neo soul artist who can sing choral music, and sing in Italian no less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaU-kvuD-so

"Bridge Over Troubled Water"- Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli. Speaking of Andrea Bocelli, he's featured here my all time favorite off-genre duet artist ever. This unreal performance from 2010 Grammy Awards was given to raise awareness for Haiti Relief after the earthquake of 2010. This version was also released as a single that actually went to #75 on the Billboard Hot 100. I love the contrasting styles of this song, and I'm telling you, this version is better than the original. I don't know who thought of pairing these two, but it was absolutely genius. This will always be one of my favorite live performances ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXixMFACWfw

"Don't Go Breaking My Heart"- Elton John and Kiki Dee. Elton John may have been just trying to get Kiki Dee's career started with this very random duet from 1976. Surprisingly, despite reaching #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and British Singles Charts, Elton would not have another #1 single in the UK until 1990's "Sacrifice", which was his first ever as a solo artist. However, this video always cracks me up because even though Elton was not officially "out of the closet" yet, only a gay man could get away with this much groping of a woman during a song and get away with it. I guess Kiki knew his secret already. Despite not being included on any album, this duet was recorded during the Blue Moves sessions, which was widely known as Elton's first "concept album". As a "concept" single, this single was supposedly written to match the flavor of a Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell duet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kS6-kWxPvk

"Broken"- Seether and Amy Lee. This duet by surprising couple Amy Lee and Shaun Morgan was recorded for the soundtrack for the 2004 movie The Punisher and peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is much different from the original version which does not feature Lee on Seether's album Disclaimer. I guess Evanescence and Seether are similar bands, but Amy Lee is just so weird, she's an odd couple when she's paired up with anyone. She's so hot though!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPC2Fp7IT7o

"Airplanes"- B.o.B. and Hayley Williams. B.O.B. made a splash with this second single from his debut album B.O.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray when he pulled Hayley Williams of Paramore to team up on this song. Needless to say, Paramore music sounds NOTHING like this song, but was a genius match, as the song shot to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced Hayley Williams to a whole new audience. My favorite fact about this song is that Williams and B.O.B. never met in person until the day they first performed it live together at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Their studio and video pieces were filmed and recorded completely separate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn6-c223DUU

"Maybe I'm Amazed"- Dave Grohl and Nora Jones. Dave Grohl and Nora Jones are so freaking awesome, that only they could pull off a McCartney classic like this. Even though this was featured during the Kennedy Center Honors Paul McCartney concert, this is a interesting duo nonetheless. I love Norah Jones look here- I wish she'd keep it. I also love how Dave Grohl adds his guitar licks on a very piano prominent song. I love when artists cover songs and keep it a lot like the original, but add their own flavor to it, like these two did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB9RgYcte_A

"Chances Are"- Bob Seger and Martina McBride. I may be reaching on this one, but Bob Seger has never struck me as a country singer. This song from the soundtrack of Hope Floats has always been a favorite of mine. Despite the success of the movie and the heavy push of the video, the song only peaked at #23 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. Martina McBride is so awesome though- she's one of the most under appreciated hot women in music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl7LdevJ71c

"Princess Of China"- Rihanna and Coldplay. OMG this song is amazing.This song from Coldplay's 2011 album Mylo Xyloto. Was written by Chris Martin with him hoping all along that Rihanna would perform with the band, and he admittedly was shocked when she agreed. Coldplay is one of the best bands in the world, but Rihanna is gonna make anybody more awesome just by her voice and her body. Wow, I love this woman! I also love how Coldplay's music is so pulsating that it stands out probably more than any other band I can think of. This song peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, and led to a great performance at this year's Grammys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k12kmlVJ3i4

"California King Bed"- Jennifer Nettles and Rihanna. Speaking of Rihanna, she can be rock and she can obviously be country. This performance from the 2011 ACM Awards with Sugarland lead singer Jennifer Nettles was a very strange duet combo and was actually the first ever live performance of the song which was featured on Rihanna's 2011 album Loud. Why they chose to do it like this is very confusing, but at least we got this great video out of it. Despite this, this was a great mix and these two singers complement each other throughout the entire song, with a great build up throughout the entire song. This song would go on to peak at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100. I am seriously not digging Rihanna's dress here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcmhlT-j6jw

"Irreplaceable"- Sugarland and Beyonce. Wow, Sugarland is getting some face time here tonight. This performance from the 2007 American Music Awards is a rare cover song with the original artist singing along. Very clever idea to do a country version of this song, and great addition of Beyonce (I mean seriously, when is adding Beyonce ever a bad idea?), but she still stays with the theme of the song. I love Beyonce, but I'm gonna go ahead and say I like this song better as a country song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XTXHvae10o

"You And I"- Lady Gaga and Sugarland. Wow Sugarland has broken a "Late Night Music" record by appearing 3 times, but could you really leave this one out from the Grammy Nomination Concert? This an awesome song, and Lady Gaga despite her unreal weirdness is an unreal performer. This song from her 2011 album Born This Way. Went on to peak at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwlIdI_nr2E

"Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"- George Michael and Aretha Franklin. If anyone can find this video, you'll get bonus points. This duet was featured on Aretha Franklin's 1987 album Aretha, and went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Aretha is another one of those artists who can sing anything with anyone, and while I've never been a huge fan, her diversity and talent is undeniable. George Michael has always been great in his own right and these two great voices made a really good song here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZBdoYdzwyg

"Undo It/Walk This Way"- Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler. Great performance here from the 2010 ACM Awards with Steven Tyler literally coming out of nowhere- where did he come from? I love how he carries the whole mic stand out. This song from Carrie Underwood's album Play On peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country Charts and #23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Steven Tyler never struck me as a country guy, but I don't really think this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbbIvGVQqKk

"Cryin"- Aerosmith and Christina Milian. Ok, so this is my favorite song on this list. My question is why this song was never released as a single. This unreal duet of Aerosmith's 1993 smash hit from Get A Grip is featured here with the Christina Milian character Linda Moon in the 2005 movie Be Cool. I don't know why Christinia Milian hasn't had more of a career, because she's unreal singer, and is SUPER HOT. Anything to keep us from having to focus on Steven Tyler. I have no idea where or when they filmed this song, but what an amazing concert surprise to get to see this song done live.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVqi1n7wX-U

BONUS VIDEOS- "Cryin'"- Aerosmith. Original version from 1993

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfNmyxV2Ncw

"You And I"- Lady Gaga. Original version from Gaga.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9YMU0WeBwU

"Irreplaceable"- Beyonce. R & B or country song? You be the judge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ

Wow 3 times on here tonight!

Rihanna

really wish I could find this video