One of the things I realized while I was compiling this list was how rare two distinct female artists come together for a properly recorded and promoted duet. Last month, I compiled a list of my most favorite male-female duets, and there were definitely more choices.
Of course, there are the seemingly more frequent occasion of two female artists singing a duet live. But this list only counts, like I mentioned above, the duets that these female artists have recorded together--whether they were released or not. Both original and remixed versions were considered.
When I make these kinds of compilations, I usually exclude Mariah Carey's musical output, mainly because I'm so biased towards her fabulousness. But she has a duet with another music royalty, Whitney Houston, which I just couldn't ignore. Whitney appears on this list thrice; Beyonce and Barbra Streisand both appear twice.
Another parameter I used in creating this list is the inclusion only of tracks by two female artists. Songs such as "Lady Marmalade" (Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, and Lil Kim) are excluded. Songs by all-girl groups are not included.
The same applies to the "Girl on fire" remix (Alicia Keys & Nicki Minaj)--it has to be a duet of two female artists, trading verses and singing together, not a female artist with rap verses from a female rapper.
This list in my opinion is the 10 best female-female duets of all time (not just in the last 20 years, like what I did with the male-female duets list). Without further ado, here are my choices. If your favorites aren't here, sound off in the comments section please. Enjoy! :)
1. Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston - "When you believe" (1998)
When this song came out for the soundtrack of "The Prince of Egypt," the world received a musical gift which, sadly, with Whitney's passing away, will never happen again. Nevertheless, we have this gem to enjoy for the rest of our lives. Mariah and Whitney's voice never fails to lift my spirits. It's not even about who hit the highest and most powerful notes--they both did. It's about being inspired and having faith. Believe, dahhhlings!
2. Beyonce & Shakira - "Beautiful Liar" (2007)
I'd do a thousand rosaries if these two singers promise to record a duet again. This song takes Shakira's Latin influences and Beyonce's R&B tendencies to create a musical treasure that I could sing and groove to anytime of the day. And yes, the video is epic! Which did you like better--Shakira's vertebrate-less belly dancing or Beyonce's butt-protruding gyrating? :)
3. Brandy & Monica - "The boy is mine" (1998)
There are many "he's mine; no he's mine" songs out there, but this duet takes the crown without doubt. Brandy and Monica are both capable songstress, with promising careers ahead of them when this song came out. They delivered with a beautiful song that is an instant classic. We'll be singing this one for years to come.
4. Barbra Streisand & Celine Dion - "Tell him" (1997)
When Barbra and Celine came together for this duet, they were already diva extraordinaire in their own rights. But far from singing about owning a particular boy, the song deals with a more mature woman giving an advice to a fellow, less experienced lady. It's a heartwarming duet with lots of explosive vocals (which we love!) :D
5. Rihanna & Britney Spears - "S&M (Remix)" (2011)
When I compiled my favorite songs for the whole of 2011, this song came out on top. So, naturally, it would appear in this list as well. I just love the feisty attitude of these ladies. I like it, like it! PS: This, by no means, reflects my preferences in bed. Ha!
6. Whitney Houston & Deborah Cox - "Same script, different cast" (2000)
Clever lyrics and presentation of the "he's mine; no he's mine" genre that female artists love to sing about. But the ladies aren't fighting here--one is merely warning the other of the heartbreak that she is sure to experience in the hands of her former lover. Do we even need to mention the vocal performance of these women here? Fantastic!
7. Jewel & Kelly Clarkson - "Foolish games" (2013)
It was a nice surprise to see Jewel reworking her '90s track for her "Greatest Hits" album that came out earlier this year. And she couldn't have chosen a better collaborator than Kelly. Their voices blended very well together to a spine-tingling climax. They succeeded in updating the song without losing its essence.
8. Aretha Franklin & Whitney Houston - "It wasn't, it isn't, it ain't never gonna be" (1989)
This is perhaps the song that inspired the many "he's mine; no he's mine" female duets we have today. I couldn't understand how a duet of two of the most powerful vocalists in the world didn't become a major hit for either of them. Nevertheless, enjoy Whitney's still fresh and youthful voice and Aretha's commanding presence.
9. Lady Gaga & Beyonce - "Telephone" (2009)
Okay, so this isn't your typical duet in the strictest terms. But the two did trade verses, and neither of them is a rapper, so this counts. I love how these two innovative and adventurous women came together to give us pop genius. And the video is pretty wicked, too.
10. Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer - "No more tears (Enough is enough)" (1979)
I'm pretty sure I would have been dancing like crazy to this song had I been a young adult in the '70s. But I'm not. So I'm dancing to it today. Yet again, it's a partnership we won't ever see again with the passing away of Donna Summers. God bless her fabulous soul!
Runners-up: "Count on me" by Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans; "I'm his only woman" by Jennifer Hudson & Fantasia; "Because of you" by Reba & Kelly Clarkson; "Put it in a love song" by Alicia Keys & Beyonce; "Me against the music" by Britney Spears & Madonna.
RELATED BLOG ENTRIES:
- 10 Best male-male duets of all time
- 10 Best Male-Female duets of the last 20 years (1993-2013)
- TWIST's Top 10 favorite albums of 2012
- TWIST's Top 10 favorite songs of 2012
- TWIST's 10 Fave albums of 2011
- TWIST's 10 Fave Songs of 2011
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