One of the best parts of the music industry is that it constantly keeps us on our toes! Otherwise, we would probably get bored. Unfortunately, sometimes it goes over the top to do that. Bonds are made and broken like they are nothing, the music itself is bent and moulded into something completely unexpected! Who would have even imagined these massive artists, so different in every way, even exchange a couple of words, let alone collaborate on such timeless songs!
1. Kylie Minogue and Nick Cave – Where The Wild Roses Grow – 1996
“On the second day, he came with a single red rose
He said: Give me your loss and your sorrow?”
“Where The Wild Roses Grow was written very much with Kylie in mind. I had a quiet obsession with her for about six years,” the singer admitted. “I wrote several songs for her, none of which I felt was appropriate to give her. It was only when I wrote this song, which is a dialogue between a killer and his victim, that I thought finally I’d written the right song for Kylie to sing.“
When you put it this way, the story that led to this iconic duet is a little bit creepy Itself. But even though the collaboration wasn’t unexpected for him, it was for the public… and Kylie.
2. Timbaland – One and Only (ft. Fall Out Boy) – 2007
“Smash the mirror and break the palm reader’s hand
I want to be better than I am”
It was hard to choose one surprising and awesome feature on Timbaland’s second studio album, 2007’s “Shock Value”. We all know he is a very chameleonic artist and has boosted many hits, but going from Keri Hilson and Justin Timberlake to Fall Out Boy and She Wants Revenge… just wow! So if you even wondered how R&B mixed with gothic and punk rock music sounds like, check out Timbaland’s “One and Only” and “Time”.
3. Eminem – Stan (ft. Elton John) – 2000
“The morning rain clouds up my window and I can’t see at all
And even if I could it’ll all be grey, but your picture on my wall
It reminds me, that it’s not so bad, it’s not so bad “
The 2001 Grammy Awards made it possible for us to witness a hug between Eminem and Elton John. Whether this was a publicity stunt, Eminem being quite disliked by the gay community at that time, or just a way to make the song’s chorus even more mesmerising, the two artists gave us goosebumps due to this performance! Moreover, they became close friends.
“I love him. We have such a laugh. We call each other cunts. I ask him how he’s doing and tell him how proud I am of him.” Elton John told Rolling Stone magazine.
4. Jack White & Alicia Keys – Another Way To Die – 2008
“Another one with the golden tongue
Poisoning your fantasy”
Also known as the “Quantum of Solace” theme. The songs that open James Bond movies are like extremely glossy book covers with compelling synopsis, upon which decide whether the book is worth buying. Well, this fantastic theme song has won several awards for both the video and the song itself, which put you in a mysterious, febrile mood. Jack White and Alicia Keys look like partners in crime. However, the song feels more like a battle than a duet.
5. Kanye West – Lost in the World (ft. Bon Iver) – 2010
“You’re my now, you’re my forever
You’re my freedom, you’re my jail”
“Emotionally it just fit the crescendo of everything that I was saying and what I wanted to say to this girl. I think it’s one of the greatest pieces of writing,” commented Kanye West on the song.
This dream-like tune started off as a poem, which West sent to Kim Kardashian, which then led to the rapper calling it a “serious rap”The instrumental was created along the structure of Bon Iver’s “Woods”, which is sampled on the track. The band’s vocalist, Justin Vernon also performed the chorus, after being invited by West to record in Hawaii. The two became friends after discussing music and basketball.
6. Korn – Get Up (ft. Skrillex) – 2011
“Times are looking grim these days”
This collaboration was not entirely unexpected, just peculiar. The song was included on Korn’s tenth album “The Path of Totality”, which marked a drastic change in style and introduced electronic music influences.
Actually, Skrillex produced and featured on two more songs, “Chaos Lives In Everything” and “Narcissistic Cannibal”, with Kill The Noise as well. Gotta say the result is intriguing. Still, when you go back to “Word Up” or “Freak on a Leash” it’s kind of hard to associate dubstep with Korn.
7. Daft Punk – Get Lucky (ft. Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers) – 2013
“So let’s raise the bar and our cups to the stars”
This song came out in the summer of 2013 and took over the radio stations and clubbing scene. It’s still popular after 4 years, due to the electronic duo’s ability to blend their uncanny sound with Nile Rodgers’ impeccable rhythm guitar technique and, most surprisingly, Williams’ vocals.
The rapper first heard an early version of “Get Lucky” at a party hosted by Madonna and joked about playing the tambourine for it. Little did he know we would end up providing vocals! Pharrell Williams referred to the song as a “peachy colour[ed] sunrise.“
8. Slash – Beautiful Dangerous (ft. Fergie) – 2010
“You like it smooth like brandy
Savour the flavour with delight
You can be Sid, I’ll be Nancy”
The legendary Guns N Roses guitarist chose pop band Black Eyed Peas’ Fergie as lead vocalist for this song and invited her to perform “Paradise City” and “Sweet Child o’ Mine” with him on stage, after hearing her cover of Heart’s “Barracuda”.
“I got hip to Fergie being probably as good or better a rock singer than she is a pop singer. I’m a guy and there’s nothing sexier than seeing a cute girl sing rock ‘n’ roll,” Slash declared and we couldn’t agree more. However, if it weren’t for him, let’s face it, we wouldn’t have pictured her on a rock song. The two synced immediately and the video’s concept was created by Fergie herself.
Photo Sources: Styleinsider, HuffingtonPost, TheComeupShow, Nme
Main Photo Source: TheIdleMan
