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A close-up of a vinyl record spinning on a turntable. The record’s label features the Progress Pride Flag, showing rainbow stripes, chevron, and trans colors. The turntable brand “Technics” is visible in the lower left corner.
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Chuck Small’s Record Relays:

Volume 8: The Pride Edition

July 7, 2025
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It’s “Record Relays:” The series that features rare superstar collabs and hits from vinyl, cassette, and CD, and honoring the uncredited artists.


June may have come and gone.

But Pride is perpetual.

Not all of the tracks in this round of “Record Relays” feature artists from the LGBTQ+ community… but many do.

If you’re interested in learning more, I recommend Chris Molanphy’s recent Hit Parade look at LGBTQ+ hitmakers and the charts:

Screenshot of the Slate websites Hit Parade podcast page, showing the title, a brief description about queer artists in pop music, and an embedded audio player for Mighty Real Edition Part 1.

Which you can find over at Slate Magazine.


Johnny Mathis & Jane Olivor

A woman and a man, both holding microphones, sing together on stage under colorful lighting. The woman has short, curly blonde hair and wears a dark outfit; the man has curly dark hair and wears a light suit.

The Last Time I Felt Like This”

This duet was as glossy and middle-of-the-road as 1979 got, and I loved it.

From the film Same Time, Next Year, the song peaked at No. 15 on the Adult Contemporary chart and was Oscar-nominated for Best Original Song.


Johnny Mathis & Take 6

A vinyl record label showing Columbia at the top and details for Johnny Mathiss song In the Still of the Night (Featuring Take 6). The text is red and yellow with black lettering.

It’s All in the Game

The smooth gospel-pop fusion here is pure Sunday afternoon vibes.

Take 6 brings rich harmonies to Mathis’ velvet vocals in this charming update from 1992’s Better Together.


Stevie Wonder & Take 6

Stevie Wonder and Take 6

Love’s in Need of Love Today

Wonder’s intro is still heartbreakingly timely – and spiritually urgent.

From the America: A Tribute to Heroes benefit album (2001), this remake of his 1976 classic hits even harder now. Watch on YouTube


Jermaine Jackson & Stevie Wonder

Let’s Get Serious

Wonder hijacks the bridge, and honestly? Thank God.

Jermaine’s biggest ‘80s hit topped the R&B charts and snuck into the pop Top 10—thanks largely to Stevie’s unmistakable production swagger.


Whitney Houston & Jermaine Jackson

Whitney Houston & Jermaine Jackson

Nobody Loves Me Like You Do

A country-to-pop crossover that feels way more electric than it should.

Originally a No. 1 country hit for Anne Murray & Dave Loggins, this Houston-Jackson version leans into R&B gloss.


Whitney Houston & George Michael

If I Told You That

Pop radio slept on this, but it still sounds like a bop in 2025.

This duet remix from Whitney’s greatest hits collection never quite charted, but deserves a second listen (and a better press agent).


George Michael & Elton John

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me

The single edit trims the drama—don’t settle for it.

Seek out the full-length version on Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael and let it take its sweet time.


Elton John & RuPaul

Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart

The camp level? A full rhinestone jumpsuit.

This revamp of Elton’s 1976 smash with Kiki Dee shines brightest in its music video glory. Watch it here.


Martha Wash & RuPaul

It’s Raining Men (the Sequel)

Justice for Martha Wash came with thunder and glitter.

Finally credited for her vocals, Wash storms through this 1990s update like a disco deity. See it here.


Luther Vandross & Martha Wash

I (Who Have Nothing)

A slow-burn soul duet that hits like a late-night confession.

Originally a hit for others, this Leiber-Stoller song becomes a heartwrenching torch song in their hands


Bruce Roberts, Elton John & Luther Vandross

The Man Who Loves You

A sleeper gem you’ll want to name-drop to impress friends.

Obscure? Yes. Forgettable? Never. Found on Roberts’ Intimacy (1995), this rare collab is a three-way harmony heaven.


Elton John & k.d. lang

Teardrops

A dance-pop cover with two queer icons and one criminally underrated vibe.

Originally by Womack & Womack, this version from Duets is ideal for any Pride playlist.


Tony Bennett & k.d. lang

Moonglow

Their chemistry on MTV Unplugged was smoky and sensational.

This classy collab predates Gaga/Bennett by over a decade and shows off k.d. lang’s jazz chops.


Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

The Lady Is a Tramp

Gaga wasn’t just playing at jazz—she owned it

Off their 2014 album Cheek to Cheek, this track helped redefine Gaga for the standard-singing set


Lady Gaga & Beyoncé

Telephone

The video may be chaos, but the song is certified club carnage.

Peaking at No. 3, this hit from The Fame Monster is as iconic as it is absurd (in the best way).


Destiny’s Child & Stevie Nicks

Bootylicious

When R&B met Fleetwood Mac, things got cheeky.

The riff from “Edge of Seventeen” is unmistakable—and so is that Nicks cameo in the vide


Robbie Patton & Stevie Nicks

Smiling Islands

A soft rock goodbye to this edition of Record Relays.

More Adult Contemporary than pop, but that Nicks fairy dust makes it sparkle.


Here’s the playlist:

Which is your favorite?

Share your thoughts in the comments!


Let the author know that you liked their article with a “Green Thumb” Upvote! 


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cstolliver

Chuck Small

Journalist-turned-high school counselor. Happily ensconced in Raleigh, N.C., with hubby of 32 years (10 legal).

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