5 Unexpected Duets Of The ’70s and ’80s

During the height of the ‘70s and ‘80s, musical collaborations were not just common—they were chart-topping phenomena. These decades saw a surge of superstar duets that dominated radio airwaves and pop culture alike. Pairings like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton or Diana Ross and Lionel Richie felt inevitable, as if the stars themselves aligned to bring together the biggest voices of the moment.

With so many high-profile artists teaming up, audiences grew accustomed to seeing familiar names side by side. Duets became a reliable formula for success, blending fan bases and showcasing vocal chemistry. Some were deeply personal, others purely commercial, but all of them played a part in defining the sound of their era. Still, even in a time when collaborations were everywhere, certain pairings stood out—not for their harmony, but for their sheer unpredictability.

These unexpected duets didn’t just surprise listeners; they made people pause and wonder how such combinations ever came to be. Unlikely though they were, these musical experiments often yielded impressive results—sometimes even becoming hits. The five duets highlighted here didn’t just break the mold—they rewrote the rules of who could sing with whom.

1. Olivia Newton-John and The Tubes for “Dancin’”

This one still turns heads. Featured on the Xanadu soundtrack in 1980, “Dancin’” brought together pop sensation Olivia Newton-John and the far edgier, lesser-known band The Tubes. While the movie already included unexpected collaborations—like Newton-John singing with Electric Light Orchestra and even Gene Kelly—none seemed as bizarre as this. At the time, The Tubes hadn’t cracked the Top 40 and were known more for their art-punk and theatrical rock antics than for anything resembling mainstream success.

The song leaned into their differences instead of smoothing them over. Newton-John’s vocals arrive first, surrounded by a swing-inspired big band arrangement, evoking the sound of a bygone era. Then The Tubes crash in with electric guitars and punchy vocals, representing the rock half of this genre clash. The song plays out like a musical duel between two worlds.

Despite the odds, it works. Toward the song’s end, the two sides come together for a finale that’s surprisingly cohesive. It’s more than just a quirky moment in Xanadu—it’s a strange but satisfying example of musical risk-taking that shouldn’t have worked but did.

2. Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer for “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)”

At first glance, Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer seemed like musical opposites. One was a Broadway-trained balladeer known for emotional torch songs, and the other was the reigning queen of disco. While Streisand had dipped a toe into disco with “The Main Event/Fight,” this collaboration in 1979 took her even further into unfamiliar territory. But both artists liked the track, and once in the studio, they recorded it in just a few hours.

The result is a powerhouse vocal performance from both singers. Rather than trying to blend their styles too much, the song gives each woman room to dominate the spotlight, then brings them together for a bold, dramatic chorus. It’s a rare instance where the star power doesn’t cancel itself out but instead amplifies the energy.

It could have been a one-off novelty, but instead, it became a massive hit. “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a defining moment for both singers. It proved that opposites don’t just attract—they sometimes deliver anthems.

3. Run-DMC and Aerosmith for “Walk This Way”

When Run-DMC and Aerosmith joined forces in 1986, no one knew they were about to bridge a genre gap and reshape pop music. The idea came from producer Rick Rubin, who overheard Run-DMC rapping over the original version of “Walk This Way.” He suggested a reimagined version—complete with Aerosmith’s involvement. Run-DMC initially resisted, worried it would seem gimmicky.

They eventually gave in, and the result was explosive. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry appeared in the song and the now-iconic video, and the new version exploded onto both the rap and rock charts. It climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, gave Run-DMC their biggest mainstream hit, and brought Aerosmith back from the brink of irrelevance.

More than a hit, the duet marked a turning point. It opened the door for future rap-rock fusions and cross-genre collaborations. What started as an experiment became a cultural milestone—one that neither act could have predicted when they first stepped into the studio.

4. Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield by “What Have I Done to Deserve This?”

For the Pet Shop Boys, choosing Dusty Springfield as a duet partner in 1987 was both a personal and artistic decision. Their label had suggested a bigger name—Barbra Streisand—but Neil Tennant, a longtime admirer of Springfield, insisted on her. Springfield hadn’t had a major hit in nearly two decades, but the Pet Shop Boys saw something others had forgotten.

The gamble paid off. “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” was a slick synth-pop track, but Springfield’s rich, emotive voice grounded it in something warmer and more human. Allee Willis, known for her work with Earth, Wind & Fire, co-wrote the track and gave it lyrical depth. Springfield’s delivery—especially in the final lines—turned a catchy tune into something quietly devastating.

The song soared to No. 2 on the charts and gave Springfield her first Top 10 hit since the ’60s. For her, it was a comeback; for the Pet Shop Boys, it was proof that blending old and new could create something timeless. Their partnership wasn’t just unexpected—it was unforgettable.

5. Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin by “Separate Lives”

By the time “Separate Lives” was released in 1985, Phil Collins was everywhere. His album No Jacket Required was dominating charts, and his solo hits had made him one of the most recognizable voices of the decade. Marilyn Martin, by contrast, was a virtual unknown. She had recorded a single for another movie soundtrack, but it had barely made a ripple.

Despite the difference in star power, the duet became a hit. Written by Stephen Bishop and featured in the film White Nights, the song gave Martin the perfect platform. Her vocals held their own next to Collins’ emotional delivery, and the balance between them gave the song its haunting quality. Their voices met at just the right place—vulnerable, weary, but still clinging to hope.

“Separate Lives” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Martin’s biggest hit. While she would never achieve the same level of fame again, the song remains a highlight in both their catalogs. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the right song can make an unlikely pairing feel inevitable.