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:
Which you can find over at Slate Magazine.
Johnny Mathis & Jane Olivor
“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 soundtrack of the movie “Same Time, Next Year,” it never made AT40, peaking at No. 15 adult contemporary. The composition did earn an Oscar nomination for best original song.
Johnny Mathis & Take 6
“It’s All in the Game“
The smooth vocal group plays background singers to Mathis on this track from Mathis’ 1992 “Better Together” collection.
It’s a pleasant update to the standard.
Stevie Wonder & Take 6
“Love’s in Need of Love Today“
From the 2001 charity collection “America: A Tribute to Heroes” comes this take on Wonder’s track from 1976’s “Songs in the Key of Life.”
Wonder’s opening declaration is of the time: “When you say you hate in the name of God or Allah, you are lying to God, for that is not of our father.” Here’s a YouTube link.
Jermaine Jackson & Stevie Wonder
“Let’s Get Serious“
This is formally billed as a Jermaine solo record.
But producer Wonder takes charge on the powerful bridge. This was a chart-topper on the R&B charts and his biggest hit of the ‘80s on the pop chart, going Top 10 in the summertime.
Whitney Houston & Jermaine Jackson
“Nobody Loves Me Like You Do “
One of a couple of Houston-Jackson duets on her debut album.
This was an R&B/pop take on a composition that went No. 1 country for Anne Murray and Dave Loggins.
Whitney Houston & George Michael
“If I Told You That “
Pop radio unjustly ignored this duet remix of a Whitney solo track in 2000, perhaps because both artists were tabloid fodder at the time.
You can find this on the collection “Whitney: The Greatest Hits.”
George Michael & Elton John
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me “
I didn’t care for the single edit of this 1992 superstar cover of John’s 1974 hit.
Part of the song’s appeal is its languor. Fortunately, we can find the full-length version of this chart-topper on several CDs, including the collection “Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael.”
Elton John & RuPaul
“Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart“
Elton’s 1976 smash with Kiki Dee gets a playfully kicky update via the “You Better Work” supermodel and Drag Race host.
This track is available on Elton’s “Duets” CD, but the video is the best way to enjoy it.
Martha Wash & RuPaul
“It’s Raining Men (the Sequel)”
Finished with anonymity after her voice was used without her name or permission on major hits, Wash took charge in the 1990s with this re-recording of her Weather Girls classic.
It’s not available on Spotify, but here’s a YouTube link.
Luther Vandross & Martha Wash
“I (Who Have Nothing)“
Wash was first a backup singer for disco singer Sylvester, whose final Top 40 hit was a remake of this Leiber-Stoller composition.
A decade and a half later, she recorded this slow-burn version with another former backup singer on his 1992 Power of Love CD.
Bruce Roberts, Elton John & Luther Vandross
“The Man Who Loves You“
Singer-songwriter Roberts released the CD “Intimacy” in 1995 with lots of superstar support.
On this track, both Vandross and John provide background vocals. It was not a hit, but I picked it up on a trip to New York’s (now late, lamented) Colony Records and loved it.
Elton John & k.d. lang
“Teardrops“
On the same CD as the RuPaul duet:
This track finds two icons of the LGBTQ+ community teaming for a dance-pop take on the Womack & Womack composition, a late ‘80s international hit that missed the U.S. pop charts.
Tony Bennett & k.d. lang
“Moonglow“
Predating the legendary crooner’s work with Lady Gaga by a decade and a half, genre chameleon lang performed this standard with Bennett on MTV Unplugged. .
They would later tour (I saw them, and they were terrific!) and do a full album
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
“The Lady Is a Tramp“
Before she had Top 5 ballad successes with “Million Reasons,” “Shallow” and her recent duet with Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile,” Gaga was a revelation as a standards singer on her first album with Bennett, 2014’s “Cheek to Cheek.”
Lady Gaga & Beyoncé
“Telephone“
One of Gaga’s hits from her monster 2009-10 streak of pop success, this went to No. 3 on the Hot 100 from “The Fame Monster.
Its video earned as much attention as the song.
Destiny’s Child & Stevie Nicks
“Bootylicious“
Speaking of videos that earned attention:
This chart-topper’s lyrics and groove had already commanded R&B and pop attention by the time the video came out, with a cameo from Nicks, reprising her riff from her 1982 hit “Edge of Seventeen.” The video makes the most of the track’s cheek.
Robbie Patton & Stevie Nicks
“Smiling Islands“
This set closes as it started, with a collaboration that did better AC than pop.
This track – labeled as a Patton solo – from his LP “Order from Headquarters” missed the Top 40 pop but went to No. 16 AC.
Here’s the playlist:
Which is your favorite?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
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{Layout editor’s note:
Due a bone-headed and completely unintentional production error, Chuck’s always-excellent writing was edited and changed, making it unrecognizable.
I pulled the piece in order to correct my mistake and have fully restored the article to its proper and original state.
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We all have our days.
Kind of comforting to know that even our fearless leader makes mistakes. And, as expected, no recriminations or name-calling in response. I love this place.
Love me some Tony Bennett, and these two tracks are cool. k.d. lang is awesome, too. Heck, this whole list rocks. Good work, Chuck!
Those Tony Bennett songs are good.
I don’t know too many of these. Not these versions anyway. Bootylicious and Telephone are welcomingly familiar. Along with the Elton / RuPaul combo.
The essential moment though is; “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Elton John…”
Absolutely. That moment is iconic.
I honestly didn’t know about a lot of these duets. Good list, I just wish there was room for some of our biggest allies on it as well, like Bette Midler, Cher, Dolly Parton and so on. But that maybe can lead to another playlist sometime, eh, Chuck?
Scrolling, scrolling, scrolling, oh, wait, no Roy Orbison and k.d. lang’s “Crying”?
I had no idea who Harry Styles was before he inducted Stevie Nicks into the RRHOF. I kind of like his “Sign of the Times” almost as much as Prince’s. It’s perfect for Bono.
Gonna give Robbie Patton a listen.