10 Best Male-Female duets of the last 20 years (1993-2013)

It's always interesting when two artists, particularly a male and female, join forces to give the world musical masterpieces that stand the test of time.

We have had many great duets in the past decades and it's impossible for me to know every single one of them. However, I do know several great ones growing up, being a music fan since I was in grade school, to make this particular list.

First, let me define what I consider a duet. Nowadays, when rappers give cameo appearances in many female-led tracks, it becomes increasingly difficult to separate a real duet from what is not. For me, a duet is when a male and female actually sing together in harmony, when they trade verses, not just a female singing the verses with a rapper on the bridge.

This is a strictly male-female duet list. I will be listing down a separate post enumerating my fave female-female duets soon. (Update: I have, as promised, listed down a separate list for the best female-female duets of all time. Click here to see the list.) Songs from a female artist and an all-male group (or vice versa) such as "One Sweet Day" are not included.

This list also pertains to studio recordings only, original or remixed versions. Live performances are excluded. And as always, I have not included any Mariah Carey duet in the list because you already know she'll be on top by default. :)

As the title of this post says, this list covers only the past 20 years (1993 to 2013). This list would have included "Endless love" by Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross, but that duet was released in 1992.

Lastly, let me state the obvious--that this list is based solely on my personal taste. These are the songs I grew up loving, the ones I still remember and listen to up to today, the ones that I will sing still for years to come. 

Without further ado, here are TWIST's 10 favorite male-female duets of the last 20 years. Enjoy! :)

10. Rihanna and Ne-Yo - "Hate that I love you" (2007)
      
          This sassy song has a great premise and slick lyrics. The duet partners delivered with smooth and sexy vocals which blended very well together. The song is a playful, modern R&B track that is easily the anthem for lovers in a relationship but have feelings for someone else.

9. Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown - "No air" (2008)

          It's essentially a love song but is perhaps more suited for young lovers. Clever lyrics combined with just the right tempo to allow Jordin and Chris enough room to wow us with their vocals, it's a song that proves that love songs need not be sappy.

8. Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J - "All I have" (2002) 

          I didn't realize this song would figure into this list until I was shortlisting the dozen duets that I've loved over the years. When J-lo released this song she was on top of her game--and it shows. The track is sexy, heartfelt. It doesn't hurt that the beat is sick (in the cutest way).

7. Marc Anthony and Tina Arena - "I want to spend my lifetime loving you" (1998)

          This is one of the most challenging duets to do vocally speaking. Tina has crazy good vocals and Marc is no slouch. To me, it's such a classic song which we all would still be listening to long before we have forgotten the movie it was made for.

6. Whitney Houston and Enrique Iglesias - "Could I have this kiss forever?" (2000)

          I distinctly remember seeing the song's music video on MTV back in the day. Back then, I liked the song. But I've rediscovered the song in recent years and have gone to truly love it. How could I not? Enrique is sexy. Whitney's vocals are insane. It's a duet we'd remember, well, forever, yes?

5. Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson - "Scream" (1995)

          I was only 10 when this song came out so, no, I wasn't able to enjoy it during its heyday. But thanks to music becoming more easily accessible, I have enjoyed this track in the last couple of years. Michael and Janet, while known to the world as siblings, have very distinct successful careers. It's a match up that would be very hard to replicate--no two people could even come close.

4. Elton John and LeAnn Rimes - "Written in the stars" (1999)

          Again, this is one of those songs that was introduced to me during the MTV days, when people actually tune in to the television to wait for music videos (not go to YouTube and look for the material they want). I thought it was a decent duet then, but today, I think it's one of the best duets ever. Elton and LeAnn have great voices, but singing together just make them more magical.

3. Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera - "Nobody wants to be lonely" (2001)

          Both Ricky and Christina were on their prime when they released this song twelve years ago so their paring was welcome to millions of their fans, me included. I love the lyrics and, again, Christina's vocals are tasteful, Ricky's sexy. I'm crossing fingers hoping they re-team one of these days just to see what else they can offer us.

2. Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow - "Picture" (2001)

          This song isn't just one of my favorite duets--it's one of my most favorite songs ever.  From the first to the last note, it's a song that has a power to transport me somewhere as if I was Kids Rock in the first verse and I was Sheryl on the second verse. It moves you. It's a shame it didn't become as big a hit as I think it should have been, but it nevertheless is a lovely love song.

1. Pink and Nate Reuss - "Just give me a reason" (2013)

          Even before Pink released this song, I have been in love with it the moment I heard it as part of her album. I was recommending it to friends, saying that it's going to be a huge hit soon. I was proven right when the song shot to #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 and became a global hit. Chart statistics aside, many people don't realize how great Pink's singing ability is--and she showcases those pipes in this track. Nate provided an equally impressive vocals, which gave us this wonderful duet.

Runners up: Alicia Keys and Usher with "If I ain't got you;" Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams with "I finally found someone;" Nelly and Kelly Rowland with "Dillema;"Celine Dion and R. Kelly with "I'm your angel."

What are your favorite duets? Sound off on the comments section below! :)

RELATED BLOG POSTS:
- 10 Best male-male duets of all time
- 10 Best female-female duets of all time 

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- TWIST's Top 10 favorite songs of 2012
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- TWIST's 10 Fave Songs of 2011