There have been so many classic collaborations in music:
Louis Armstrong and Oscar Peterson.
And while watching an episode of Crossroads¹ yesterday which featured Maroon 5 and Sara Evans performing duets of each other’s songs, I watched this clip of She Will Be Loved:
It was cool. I actually like the timbre of Sara’s alto and that as you watch her and Adam stand there, the way we categorize genders of voice means your mind expects each of their voices to be coming from the other person’s face. But there are also a few places where it just didn’t work; not even miniature disasters or minor catastrophes, just blips.
But my mind started roaming. I don’t why I go to extremes. I wanted to know what the worst collaboration or duet in the history of time was. And as I opened my browser to see how deep the rabbit hole went for a few pairs I could think of, like anti-manna from hell, a gift and a curse fell into my lap:
“Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva are expecting a child, but that’s not their only collaboration.”
Annnnd… my search was done.
Billy Altman wrote my sentiments perfectly. Despite my love for Braveheart,
with everything that’s come and gone over the course of Mel Gibson’s career and life in the public eye, there did seem to be one area that was safe from Mel-dom, and that was music.
You want the lyrics Mel co-wrote? Of course you do.
I got no way back home/ And every time my heart beats, it’s one less that remains…The future contrives to draw me in its wake/ I’m not afraid of leaving, if I know why and when/ I’ll have to walk a few more miles before you say my name again/ My name again.
“Contrives to draw me in its wake.” That just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? And it gets better: this is all product of Mel’s label, Icon Records. He actually has a label, which means we’re at risk of him signing a max of 3-4 other confused souls and spreading their work around like some aural plague.
But maybe I’m overreacting. Tell me about a collaboration that makes you cringe more than the idea of one featuring Mel Gibson. Do it.
_______
¹In no way affiliated with the Britney Spears movie of the same name.
Not exactly a collaboration, but ABBA covering Leadbelly’s “Pick A Bale Of Cotton” was pretty much one of the most uncomfortable things I’ve ever experienced.
Also, Tim McGraw and Nelly singing that “Over and Over” song still makes me gag a little. Shudder.
You win. I couldn’t listen to that. Dribble.
The Captain and Tenille are my secret musical loves. It’s all that AM Radio I was forced to listen to as a child.
Bad collaboration? There was an AIDS benefit concert to commemorate Freddie Mercury (*sigh*) and one of the final numbers was a duet of Elton John and Axl Rose singing Bohemian Rhapsody.
Oh, the Horror.
Dear god.
one of my ABSOLUTE favorite collabs is btwn John Mayer & Brad Paisley.
So.So.SO.SO.Good.
Of what? Of what? I wanna hear…
Hmm…I can’t really think of any cringe-worthy collaborations off the top of my head, but I once heard Sugarland (country) cover a Beyonce song. Weird.
I like Sugarland. They’re heartfelt, but I wonder how much musicality they have. So, yeah: a Beyonce cover might not work for them.
Yeesh! I heard Mel Gibson’s wife singing on the radio today and she sounded whiney and sacchrin. The local stations in my area are mostly crap. The one station that I do listen to at work, does play mostly good music, but unfortunately also features some of the cheesiest, most annoying, mushiest duets ever!
So with that said-At the top of the cheese pile is the duet between Rod Stewart and Elton John called “Makin’ Whoopee”
Not only does it make me want to destroy my radio, it also gives me frightening visuals of Rod Stewart performing the song’s title and that just ain’t right!
Stop. This is getting radio play?!
1. I love Crossroads and which VH1 did more stuff like this like they used to do.
2. Mel Gibson has been on my shit list for so long that I can’t possibly think of a worse pairing. But anything involving Paris Hilton comes to mind.
I really liked the Joss Stone/LeAnn Rimes episode. Actually, it might still be saved on my DVR.
And at least with Paris, there’s so little doubt that even she takes it seriously.
i can’t watch vids at work, so i’ll have to take your word that the maroon 5 / sara evans duet is awesome.
i don’t need to take anyone’s word about mel and his child bride, though. jesus. i can’t even believe THEY think this is a good idea.
Haha. Even they should know better. I mean, is he a douche? Clearly. But I thought he had more industry sense.
Let me get right at the heart of this post, that Britney Spears’ movie was surprisingly good.
You know, I saw that it was written by Shonda Rhimes, the lady behind Grey’s Anatomy. So, maybe you’re right. I know I was surprised that Gigli wasn’t nearly as bad as the press insisted it was.
Oh gawd… all I can picture when I think of Mel Gibson singing is The Hoff… aka David Hasselhoff singing with.. uh… . anybody. he’s aweful. And tacky as hell.
The Hoff! Why would anyone buy that?!
All I have to say is, any duet with Billy Joel = the best duet ever. Even Mel Gibson. Billy could make it work.
Did you get Billy Joel/Elton John tickets?
Lesser known and totally awesome: Dimebag Darrell (Pantera) and David Allen Coe (country singer). The title, “Rebel Meets Rebel.”
Will check it out. Thanks for the rec.
Do you think Mel is the most self righteous person on earth or do you think he has legitimate competition?
I hear Kim Jong Il loves him some Kim Jong Il. Otherwise, he may just be untouchable.
I never thought I’d see the day when someone more ridiculous than Speidi and Joaquin Phoenix COMBINED would be trying to make music. For shame.
Yeah. Mel is just a bad person. I know that insult doesn’t get used a lot because it’s so simple. But it’s basic and true.
Uuuummm…I’m so disturbed by the whole Mel Gibson thing I am totally thrown and can’t think coherently enough for a response. Excuse me while I try and get my head together.
Be back later……
There is at least one good thing: at least Mel isn’t singing.
“Do it.”
Wow. Your fight swag *is* atrocious.
Mel is so hideous on so many levels that nothing can compete.
I’m glad someone finally noticed my swag.
I cannot let this post pass without noting a few exceptional duos you omitted…
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel
Ella & Duke’s Songbook
Cassandra Wilson & Courtney Pine (they only teamed for one album but their remake of Don’t Explain is worth the price of admission times five)
Sinatra’s 1993 album of duets with various artists
that is all.
Each worthy. I chose brevity over completeness, but the latter would’ve have certainly included your additions.
I’ll have to check out the Wilson and Pine album.
WTF!!!???? I can’t even comment on the worst ever duet- I’m too traumatized by MEL-FUCKING-GIBSON SINGING!!!
Please tell me you’re kidding- I’m too scared to google it.
Dear god: I don’t think he’s singing. But he’s definitely writing lyrics.