Many didn't even win the contest
Some duets are matches made in musical heaven, but others, not so much... Sometimes, when two music artists come together, things don't work out despite them being brilliant individually. This has happened on more than one occasion, either because the song was bad, the lyrics were poor, or simply because their voices just didn't go well together.
Whatever the reason, here are a few examples of some of the worst duet songs of all time. Click on and let us know if you agree.
This cheesy cover of Smokey Robinson's song from the 2000 film 'Duets' did pretty well in the charts, but it didn't do much for either Huey Lewis or Gwyneth Paltrow's careers.
The lyrics on this song leave a lot to be desired. Luckily, Kingston and Bieber grew out of it.
"Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony / Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh Lord, why don't we?" We get it, Paul and Stevie, but the song is so cheesy we forget how good you two are individually.
The duo's rendition of the AC/DC classic is as cringeworthy as it gets.
One of Ol' Blue Eyes' best-known songs doesn't sound as good when sung by U2's Bono. They're both great singers, but the 1993 duet just confirms that Bono lacks in the swing department.
'The View,' as well as any other song from the 2011 album 'Lulu,' alienated both Lou Reed and Metallica fans. Two legends in their own right, Lou Reed and Metallica just don't seem to mix well. In this song in particular, the lyrics and the music just sound out of sync.
'Changes' is originally a Black Sabbath song from 1972 inspired by drummer Billy Ward's break up with his wife. Ozzy rewrote the lyrics and sang it with his daughter, Kelly. The father-daughter duet is a far cry from the original.
This song came out in 2013, when John Mayer and Katy Perry were a couple. While they had the potential to make some great music together, they did this cheesy country-pop ballad instead.
One Direction wasn't known for its Latin club tunes. Liam Payne's attempt to make one didn't quite work either. Not to mention that there was no chemistry between him and Colombian singer J Balvin.
This 2021 dance tune was Britney's first release after the end of her conservatorship. It combines elements of three Elton John songs, but it's a bit all over the place.
The song is part of the soundtrack for the 1984 film 'Rhinestone.' 'Sweet Lovin' Friend' is so bad that it was nominated for a Razzie for 'Worst Original Song.'
The Rolling Stones and Dave Matthews' version of 'Memory Motel' is passable, but Dave—as great as he is—murdered 'Wild Horses' (not literally, of course!).
In 2007, the two British girl groups released their own version of Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C.'s 'Walk This Way.' We wish they didn't.
Indeed Bing Crosby and David Bowie were brilliant music artists, but the two singing together just sounds really weird.
This heavily autotuned song released in 2015 by Britney Spears and Aussie rapper Iggy Azalea had a mixed reception. Many fans, still don't get why this song was ever made.
This dancy country rap tune may have a good vibe, but it's basically a Nelly song with some touches of country music.
The idea of two music legends coming together was good, but their voices just don't work well as a duo.
This is one of the duet songs performed by the then-couple, and definitely not the best one.
The song had good intentions, touching on topics such as the Confederate flag and racism. Overall, the country rap tune was not very well received by the critics and the public.
Before being at each other's throats as judges on 'American Idol,' the two collaborated back in 2010. The song, believed to be about Eminem, is definitely not the best work of either Carey or Minaj.
Hilary and Haylie Duff's overproduced version of The Go-Go's 1981 song doesn't really do it justice.
Britney and her little sister Jamie Lynn Spears released this song in 2013. It had everything to be a good song about sisterly love, except, it's not. The chorus goes: "I'm chillin', I'm chillin' When I'm with you."
Shock rock veteran Alice Cooper teamed up with Kesha on this tune. While both their voices work well together, the lyrics are just a bit cringey, especially because of their age gap.
This is essentially a parody song. It takes a jab at party tunes in general, but Weezer and Lil Wayne's delivery is just subpar.
This song was released in 2003, so mixing rap and metal was certainly nothing new back then. 'Play Me' is, however, not the best example of the two genres mixing well together.
Apparently, Marie is a little bit country, and Donny is a little bit rock 'n' roll. This song though, doesn't quite rock.
This song is featured in Eddie Murphy's 1993 studio album 'Love's Alright.' The song's reflection on humankind's place on our planet is overshadowed by poor songwriting. The only thing that saves the song is the Harlem Boys' Choir.
Both Ingram and McDonald have great voices, but they sound a bit too much alike in this song, making it a rather bland, generic '80s tune.
'Dooo It' is pretty much an existential song for pot lovers.
Sources: (Watch Mojo) (BBC) (Houston Press)
Duets that didn't work well
Was it due to a lack of preparation, or was it merely incompatibility?
MUSIC Collabs
Some duets are matches made in musical heaven, but others, not so much... Sometimes, when two music artists come together, things don't work out despite them being brilliant individually. This has happened on more than one occasion, either because the song was bad, the lyrics were poor, or simply because their voices just didn't go well together.
Whatever the reason, here are a few examples of some of the worst duet songs of all time. Click on and let us know if you agree.