Unexpected music collaborations have taken place over the last several decades. These songs dismantled musical boundaries, mixing different sounds or pairing bands from different genres, from rock-and-rap to glam-crooner to indie-rock-soul; music has reached new highs with this partnership.
As with these unlikely musical collaborations, websites such as instacams allow you to meet your dream person through fortunate encounters. Now, follow us and discover five surprising but incredible music collaborations.
1. Bing Crosby, David Bowie (1977): “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy“
“Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” is the Christmas melody by David Bowie and Bing Crosby, recorded in 1977 for Crosby’s television special, Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas. In the clip you can see below in this article, Crosby plays “The Little Drummer Boy” (1941), and Bowie sings the “Peace on Earth” part.
By 1977, David Bowie was in the middle of his Berlin Trilogy and going through the darkest era of his life and career. Working with a “clean-cut” artist like Bing Crosby was an unanticipated but highly successful adventure.
This duet was one of Crosby’s final recordings before his death in October 1977 and one of Bowie’s best-selling singles. The Washington Post once called it “one of the most successful duets in Christmas music history.”
2. Aerosmith & Run-D.M.C. (1986): “Walk This Way“
Aerosmith and Run-DMC’s single “Walk This Way” was the song that brought hip-hop into the mainstream and revived one of the greatest rock bands of all time at the same time. This is how big “Walk This Way” was!
Written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, the song was originally released as the second single from the album Toys in the Attic (1975). Although it was successful then, Run-D.M.C.’s version recorded with Aerosmith for their Raising Hell (1986) was a tremendous hit. That amazing video clip helped a lot, too.
This collaboration urged the evolution of rap rock, blending rock and hip-hop, and achieved global success.
3. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds & Kylie Minogue (1995): “Where the Wild Roses Grow“
The collaboration between Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue (both Australian singers) is one of the most unexpected in pop music. Their paths crossed in the mid-1990s when Michael Hutchence (Kyle’s ex-boyfriend) said Cave wanted to work with her. Although she didn’t know him then, Cave already had a song written for her, “Where The Wild Roses Grow,” that he thought would be perfect for Minogue’s voice.
The song became a massive hit and was the lead single from the Bad Seeds’ album Murder Ballads (1996). This partnership changed how people saw Kylie as an artist at a time when a successful career was expected, which would be confirmed a few years later with the release of albums like Light Years and Fever.
Nick Cave once described Kylie Minogue as one of the most influential Australian music singers, pointing out the friendship that grew from this unlikely collaboration.
4. Jack White and Alicia Keys (2008): “Another Way to Die“
Jack White and Alicia Keys created one of the most peculiar James Bond song, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, many consider it to be the most underrated song in the history of the Bond series.
“Another Way to Die” is the kind of track that grows on you—the more you listen, the more it stands out. Written and produced by White for the 2008 film Quantum of Solace, the song features Jack White on vocals, guitar, piano, and drums, with Alicia Keys joining on vocals.
This collaboration marked the first duet ever used as a theme in the Bond film series.
5. Sir Elton John and Queens Of The Stone Age (2013): “Fairweather Friends“
When Queens of the Stone Age released their 6th studio album …Like Clockwork (2013), no one expected to see Elton John’s name on the album credits. …Like Clockwork was one of the band’s most successful albums and it debuted at No. 1 and climbed five Billboard lists.
And what a lineup on the song “Fairweather Friends”—featuring Dave Grohl, Trent Reznor, and co-written by Mark Lanegan. The addition of Elton John, who provided piano and additional vocals, was the most surprising inclusion on the song.
