Ebony + Ivory: What Are The Most Memorable Interracial Duets Of The `80s?
These days, it’s no big deal for two artists from different races to collaborate on tracks. From hits like Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” with Juicy J, to the somewhat tone-deaf “Accidental Racist” from LL Cool J and Brad Paisley, we barely notice the difference in complexions when music stars team up.
But as we know, that wasn’t always the case. So to celebrate the anniversary of the cheesy classic, “Ebony And Ivory,” what were some of the interracial duets from the `80s that are still with us to this day? Get ready for power ballads, funky love songs, and a hit from a once-burgeoning genre in our ranking of songs that crossed color lines. Hop into our gallery to find out who made the cut!
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"Ebony and Ivory" is a song that was released in 1982 as a single by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. It was issued on 29 March that year as the lead single from McCartney's album Tug of War. Written by McCartney, the song aligns the black and white keys of a piano keyboard with the theme of racial harmony. The single reached number one on both the UK and the US charts and was among the top-selling singles of 1982 in the US. During the apartheid era, the South African Broadcasting Corporation banned the song after Wonder dedicated his 1984 Academy Award for Best Original Song to Nelson Mandela.
"Yah Mo B There" is an R&B song recorded as a duet by American singers James Ingram and Michael McDonald. It was written by Ingram, McDonald, Rod Temperton and producer Quincy Jones. The song originally appeared on Ingram's 1983 album It's Your Night, released on Jones's Qwest Records label. It was released as a single in late 1983, peaking in 1984 at No. 19 on the U.S. chart and No. 44 on the UK Singles Chart (a remixed version by Jellybean Benitez hit No. 12 in the UK in spring 1985). The performance earned the duo a 1985 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. It was one of a series of very successful duets involving Ingram. It also received a nomination for Best R&B Song, losing to "I Feel for You" (Prince).
"Say Say Say" is a song written and performed by English musician Paul McCartney and American singer Michael Jackson, released in October 1983 as the lead single to McCartney's 1983 album Pipes of Peace. Produced by George Martin, the song was recorded during production of McCartney's 1982 Tug of War album.
After its release in October 1983, "Say Say Say" became Jackson's seventh top-ten hit inside a year. It was a number one hit in the United States (his sixth number-one single there), Canada, Norway, Sweden and several other countries, reached number two in the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top ten in Australia, Austria, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Switzerland and over 20 other nations. In 2013, Billboard magazine listed the song as the 41st biggest hit of all time on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.[1] It has also been voted the ninth best collaboration of all time in a Rolling Stone readers poll.
The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in December 1983, representing sales of one million copies.
"Easy Lover" is a song performed by Philip Bailey, of Earth, Wind & Fire, and Phil Collins, of Genesis, and jointly written and composed by Bailey, Collins, and Nathan East. The song appeared on Bailey's solo album, Chinese Wall. Collins has performed the song in his live concerts, and it appears on both his 1990 album, Serious Hits... Live!, and his 1998 compilation album, ...Hits. It is Bailey's only US Top 40 hit as a solo artist. The song was a No. 1 hit in several countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 2 February 1985, behind the chart-topping "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner. In the UK Singles Chart, it reached No. 1, staying there for four weeks.[2] The single sold over a million copies in the U.S. and was certified gold, "Easy Lover" won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Overall Performance in a Video in 1985 and was Grammy Award nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals in 1986.
"On My Own" is a duet by American singers Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. It was written and produced by Burt Bacharach and his former wife Carole Bayer Sager and originally recorded by singer Dionne Warwick for inclusion on her album Friends (1985). Eventually recorded by LaBelle and McDonald for her eighth studio album Winner in You (1986). It was released as the album's lead single on March 22, 1986 by MCA Records. The song became the biggest hit single ever for both singers as it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks. "On My Own" also reached the number-one spot on the then-Black Singles chart (for four weeks).
"I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" is a song released by American singer Aretha Franklin and English singer George Michael as a duet in 1987.[1] The song was a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.[2] Billboard listed "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" as Franklin's all-time biggest Hot 100 single.[3] The song was Franklin's biggest hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number two.[4][5] The song was written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan and produced by Narada Michael Walden.[6] Franklin and Michael won a 1987 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"
"Put a Little Love in Your Heart" is a song originally performed in 1969 by Jackie DeShannon, who composed it with her brother Randy Myers and Jimmy Holiday.In 1988, Annie Lennox and Al Green recorded a version that was released as the ending theme song to the 1988 film Scrooged.[3] The song reached number 9 in the US on the Hot 100 in January 1989 and climbed all the way to number 2 on the US Adult Contemporary chart, as well as becoming a top 40 hit in several countries worldwide - including number 28 in the UK charts for the festive season of 1988-1989.
"You're a Friend of Mine" is a 1985 hit song, written by Narada Michael Walden and Jeffrey Cohen, with lead vocals by Clarence Clemons and Jackson Browne in a duet. At the time of the song's release, Clemons was already well known nationally as the saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. The song was released on Clemons' solo album Hero of that year. Bolstered by the enormous popularity of Springsteen at the time, the song was a success commercially, reaching the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 (#18), Mainstream Rock (#16), and the top 40 on the Adult Contemporary (#21) charts in the U.S.
"Baby Grand" is the fourth and final single released off Billy Joel's album The Bridge. A duet with Joel and Ray Charles, the song is a ballad dedicated to the baby grand piano, and the relationship it can share with its players. The two originally got together when Joel contacted Charles about the naming of his daughter, Alexa Ray, after Charles. Charles then suggested they create a song together.
Joel originally sang the song in his thick New York accent, but decided to do a Charles impression instead when he noticed Charles was trying to imitate his style. The song was positively received by critics. The single peaked at #75 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and at #3 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.
"It's Only Love" is a song by Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams, featuring American singer Tina Turner. Released as a single in 1985,[1] the song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and the accompanying video won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance. It reached number 15 in January 1986 on the Billboard Hot 100[3] in the United States and number 29 in the United Kingdom. The 12" single included the 1985 live version that would later appear on the album Tina Live in Europe (1988).
"When the Rain Begins to Fall" is a 1984 song written and composed by Peggy March, Michael Bradley, and Steve Wittmack, recorded by singers Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora, and released as a US single at the beginning of 1985 (In Europe in October, 1984). The song was performed in the movie Voyage of the Rock Aliens,[1] in which Zadora played a lead role. Before being released in the US, this track went to number one in several European countries. The song failed to capitalize its European success in America, but did better on the US dance charts (at #22).
These days, it’s no big deal for two artists from different races to collaborate on tracks. From hits like Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” with Juicy J, to the somewhat tone-deaf “Accidental Racist” from LL Cool J and Brad Paisley, we barely notice the difference in complexions when music stars team up.
But as we know, that wasn’t always the case. So to celebrate the anniversary of the cheesy classic, “Ebony And Ivory,” what were some of the interracial duets from the `80s that are still with us to this day? Get ready for power ballads, funky love songs, and a hit from a once-burgeoning genre in our ranking of songs that crossed color lines. Hop into our gallery to find out who made the cut!
Ebony + Ivory: What Are The Most Memorable Interracial Duets Of The `80s?
Which songs paved the way for music artists wanting to cross color lines?
"Ebony and Ivory" is a song that was released in 1982 as a single by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. It was issued on 29 March that year as the lead single from McCartney's album Tug of War. Written by McCartney, the song aligns the black and white keys of a piano keyboard with the theme of racial harmony. The single reached number one on both the UK and the US charts and was among the top-selling singles of 1982 in the US. During the apartheid era, the South African Broadcasting Corporation banned the song after Wonder dedicated his 1984 Academy Award for Best Original Song to Nelson Mandela.
"Yah Mo B There" is an R&B song recorded as a duet by American singers James Ingram and Michael McDonald. It was written by Ingram, McDonald, Rod Temperton and producer Quincy Jones. The song originally appeared on Ingram's 1983 album It's Your Night, released on Jones's Qwest Records label. It was released as a single in late 1983, peaking in 1984 at No. 19 on the U.S. chart and No. 44 on the UK Singles Chart (a remixed version by Jellybean Benitez hit No. 12 in the UK in spring 1985). The performance earned the duo a 1985 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. It was one of a series of very successful duets involving Ingram. It also received a nomination for Best R&B Song, losing to "I Feel for You" (Prince).
"Say Say Say" is a song written and performed by English musician Paul McCartney and American singer Michael Jackson, released in October 1983 as the lead single to McCartney's 1983 album Pipes of Peace. Produced by George Martin, the song was recorded during production of McCartney's 1982 Tug of War album.
After its release in October 1983, "Say Say Say" became Jackson's seventh top-ten hit inside a year. It was a number one hit in the United States (his sixth number-one single there), Canada, Norway, Sweden and several other countries, reached number two in the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top ten in Australia, Austria, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Switzerland and over 20 other nations. In 2013, Billboard magazine listed the song as the 41st biggest hit of all time on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.[1] It has also been voted the ninth best collaboration of all time in a Rolling Stone readers poll.
The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in December 1983, representing sales of one million copies.
"Easy Lover" is a song performed by Philip Bailey, of Earth, Wind & Fire, and Phil Collins, of Genesis, and jointly written and composed by Bailey, Collins, and Nathan East. The song appeared on Bailey's solo album, Chinese Wall. Collins has performed the song in his live concerts, and it appears on both his 1990 album, Serious Hits... Live!, and his 1998 compilation album, ...Hits. It is Bailey's only US Top 40 hit as a solo artist. The song was a No. 1 hit in several countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 2 February 1985, behind the chart-topping "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner. In the UK Singles Chart, it reached No. 1, staying there for four weeks.[2] The single sold over a million copies in the U.S. and was certified gold, "Easy Lover" won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Overall Performance in a Video in 1985 and was Grammy Award nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals in 1986.
"On My Own" is a duet by American singers Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. It was written and produced by Burt Bacharach and his former wife Carole Bayer Sager and originally recorded by singer Dionne Warwick for inclusion on her album Friends (1985). Eventually recorded by LaBelle and McDonald for her eighth studio album Winner in You (1986). It was released as the album's lead single on March 22, 1986 by MCA Records. The song became the biggest hit single ever for both singers as it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks. "On My Own" also reached the number-one spot on the then-Black Singles chart (for four weeks).
"I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" is a song released by American singer Aretha Franklin and English singer George Michael as a duet in 1987.[1] The song was a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.[2] Billboard listed "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" as Franklin's all-time biggest Hot 100 single.[3] The song was Franklin's biggest hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number two.[4][5] The song was written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan and produced by Narada Michael Walden.[6] Franklin and Michael won a 1987 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"
"Put a Little Love in Your Heart" is a song originally performed in 1969 by Jackie DeShannon, who composed it with her brother Randy Myers and Jimmy Holiday.In 1988, Annie Lennox and Al Green recorded a version that was released as the ending theme song to the 1988 film Scrooged.[3] The song reached number 9 in the US on the Hot 100 in January 1989 and climbed all the way to number 2 on the US Adult Contemporary chart, as well as becoming a top 40 hit in several countries worldwide - including number 28 in the UK charts for the festive season of 1988-1989.
"You're a Friend of Mine" is a 1985 hit song, written by Narada Michael Walden and Jeffrey Cohen, with lead vocals by Clarence Clemons and Jackson Browne in a duet. At the time of the song's release, Clemons was already well known nationally as the saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. The song was released on Clemons' solo album Hero of that year. Bolstered by the enormous popularity of Springsteen at the time, the song was a success commercially, reaching the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 (#18), Mainstream Rock (#16), and the top 40 on the Adult Contemporary (#21) charts in the U.S.
"Baby Grand" is the fourth and final single released off Billy Joel's album The Bridge. A duet with Joel and Ray Charles, the song is a ballad dedicated to the baby grand piano, and the relationship it can share with its players. The two originally got together when Joel contacted Charles about the naming of his daughter, Alexa Ray, after Charles. Charles then suggested they create a song together.
Joel originally sang the song in his thick New York accent, but decided to do a Charles impression instead when he noticed Charles was trying to imitate his style. The song was positively received by critics. The single peaked at #75 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and at #3 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.
"It's Only Love" is a song by Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams, featuring American singer Tina Turner. Released as a single in 1985,[1] the song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and the accompanying video won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance. It reached number 15 in January 1986 on the Billboard Hot 100[3] in the United States and number 29 in the United Kingdom. The 12" single included the 1985 live version that would later appear on the album Tina Live in Europe (1988).
"When the Rain Begins to Fall" is a 1984 song written and composed by Peggy March, Michael Bradley, and Steve Wittmack, recorded by singers Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora, and released as a US single at the beginning of 1985 (In Europe in October, 1984). The song was performed in the movie Voyage of the Rock Aliens,[1] in which Zadora played a lead role. Before being released in the US, this track went to number one in several European countries. The song failed to capitalize its European success in America, but did better on the US dance charts (at #22).
