Some were released decades after they were first written
The Queen of Country, speaking to Knox News, revealed she set a "no cussing" condition to feature on the song, which Carpenter accepted by making the lyrics more family-friendly. Parton then described Carpenter as "so sweet" and shared her enjoyment of collaborating with pop stars like Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus.
Following his hit duet with Kelly Clarkson, Aldean ventured into another experimental partnership. Originally recorded as a solo track, the song truly took off after Aldean and Ludacris performed it at the Country Music Television (CMT) Awards, where the rapper added a new verse, turning it into an instant genre-bending success. Ludacris then joined Aldean for several other live performances.
Robert Plant, former Led Zeppelin frontman, originally recorded this powerful tune with bandmate Jimmy Page in 1998. However, his rendition with Alison Krauss on their Grammy-winning album 'Raising Sand' (2007) truly resonated with fans and critics.
Clarkson wrote and recorded this hit for her sophomore album 'Breakaway,' and it later became the lead single from Reba's 2007 platinum-selling 'Duets' album. McEntire and Clarkson had recorded another song for the album, but went with 'Because of You' instead. That proved to be a great choice, as the duet's success showed.
The country-pop ballad was released as the second single from Aldean's fourth studio album, 'My Kinda Party,' following his and Clarkson's performance at the 44th annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in November 2010. Due to strong demand from radio stations, it was also included on the deluxe edition of Clarkson's fifth studio album, 'Stronger' (2011).
Bon Jovi is known across genres, but this 2006 track introduced Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles to a broader pop and rock audience. Bon Jovi and his band featured both a solo and duet version of the track on the album 'Have a Nice Day' (2005).
Released over 40 years ago, this chart-topping hit united a country icon and a Latin superstar for what fans and critics alike consider one of the most beloved classic collaborations of all time. The song pays homage to the women in their respective pasts, including those "who now are someone else's wives."
Cyrus, Parton’s goddaughter, also famously covered 'Jolene' for the first time in 2012, and it has since become a staple in her live repertoire. In 2023, Cyrus re-recorded 'Wrecking Ball' with Parton for her 49th solo studio album, 'Rockstar,' which features a range of collaborations.
Nelly hand-picked Tim McGraw for a duet on his 2004 album 'Suit,' driven by his ambition to record a country-influenced track. He told McGraw the song was "truth or die," expecting either a massive hit or a flop. With four No. 1 chart placements, it clearly succeeded.
After the two musicians met at a 'Tonight Show' taping, Trisha Yearwood enlisted Eagles' Don Henley for her 'Hearts in Armor' (1992) debut single. The ballad, a story of young love lost, earned a Grammy nomination and helped the album achieve platinum status.
Jackson released his 'Greatest Hits Volume II' (2003) album by teasing this song as a surprise that kept fans glued to their radios. With its carefree lyrics, the song proved to be a perfect fit for the iconic 'Margaritaville' singer. It became a number one hit for an impressive eight straight weeks and is now a country classic.
Johnny Cash's rendition of U2's 'The Wanderer' struck a chord with country audiences. Bono revealed he felt the song's haunting narrative—"went out searching / looking for one good man ... with a Bible and a gun"—was tailor-made for Cash. The track was included in U2’s 1993 studio album, 'Zooropa.'
For this promotional single from her 2014 self-titled studio album, Shakira revealed she experimented with genres before landing on country. She then recruited Shelton for a collaboration featuring acoustic guitars and a narrative-focused song structure.
The idea for their duet reportedly came about when Aguilera began a performance with a snippet of one of Blake’s song, which left him "speechless," as he wrote on X. Aguilera then responded, "now we need to team up for a country duet Blake!! I'm down!!" The song was included in Aguilera's 2012 album 'Lotus.'
Released in March 2018 as the second single from Urban's 'Graffiti U' album, Urban told Billboard that he enlisted Michaels "to help [him] flesh out a few bits and pieces. Then she came up with this cool bridge idea and sang it (...)," which naturally allowed their collaboration to flourish.
There wasn’t an album, a single, or even an official music video, but for one night, the Backstreet Boys sang country, turning the collaboration into a fan favorite. The boy band joined country legend Shania Twain for a performance of her hit 'From This Moment On' at a show in Miami, part of a CBS special aired in 1999. The performance's recording was later included in Twain’s 'The Specials' DVD package.
Bentley teamed up with contemporary, alternative country artist Elle King for this collaboration. The song won 'Vocal Event of the Year' at the 2016 CMA Awards and was nominated for the 2017 Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The song became Bentley's 15th number-one hit on the US Billboard Country Airplay chart and his fifth Top 5 hit on the US charts.
The powerful collaboration debuted at number 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week of November 11, 2017. It later peaked at number two, becoming Rexha's third Top 10 hit and her first as a solo lead artist, as well as Florida Georgia Line's second. Until August 2024, it held the record for the most-streamed country song of all time on Spotify.
The country duo's first pop collaboration took place when they invited the boy band to join them on the third single from their 'Dig Your Roots' album, released in early 2017. The music video for the song features clips of each singer, recorded on cell phones and GoPros, surprising their wives with random acts of love and kindness. By August 2022, the video had surpassed 45 million views.
Former One Direction member Niall Horan teamed up with Grammy Award-winning country star Maren Morris for this song, featured on Horan's 2018 'Flicker' album. The country-pop jam captivated both fans and critics, earning Gold status in Australia and New Zealand.
Another former boy band member who embraced country, Timberlake collaborated with country icon Chris Stapleton on this song, released in January 2018, as the third single from his fifth studio album, 'Man of the Woods' (2018). Billboard critics ranked it among the best songs of the first half of 2018.
Former 'The Voice' judges-turned-husband and wife were bound to release another duet—their third—after their romance was confirmed in 2019. Fans said it felt like a natural progression, and the result was arguably their strongest collaboration yet.
Originally appearing as a solo track on Beyoncé's acclaimed 'Lemonade' album, the song quickly earned recognition as a country song from both fans and critics. A remix featuring Texas trio The Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks) was released in November 2016, following their joint performance at the CMA Awards, where it won "Collaboration of the Year."
Duo Dan + Shay, known for their heartthrob country sound, found a pop-fitting partner in Justin Bieber; their 2019 collaboration became the duo's first US top-10 success.
Initially a 2018 solo release, Lil Nas X's viral hit was re-released in 2019 with a Billy Ray Cyrus remix. This "country rap" collaboration earned a Grammy in 2020 for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Country fans have long known Keith Urban isn’t afraid to blend pop sounds into his music, so this 2020 collaboration with Pink quickly became a fan favorite. In an interview about the track, Urban admitted it’s far from his most genre-specific release, saying, “I can’t label what the song is. It’s not country. It’s just a great song about a very universal situation”—two people drinking alone who realize they’d be better off drinking together.
From Orville Peck's 2020 'Show Pony' EP, this collaboration with Shania Twain offered a surprising yet ideal musical match. The track, shifting from Peck's gothic sound to a campy '90s country ballad, champions individualism and resilience, perfectly suiting both artists.
Ballerini's 2020 pop collaboration with Halsey showcased a mesmerizing chemistry. Rolling Stone described the track, exploring the "other girl" narrative, as ethereal and moody.
Sources: (Collider) (The Boot) (Variety) (Rolling Stone) (Billboard) (Taste of Country)
See also: Musicians in both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Pop and country music have long been two of the most influential genres in American music, but every so often, their worlds collide in unforgettable ways. Recent collaborations, like Sabrina Carpenter’s surprise partnership with country icon Dolly Parton, prove that these seemingly separate worlds can merge into something truly magical. Carpenter’s release of the country version of her hit 'Please Please Please' even comes with a new black-and-white music video that captures the duo’s chemistry.
But this is far from the first time country and pop stars have joined forces, and it won’t be the last. From chart-topping duets to crossover hits that blend the best of both worlds, these collaborations have redefined what it means to create music without borders.
Click through this gallery to revisit some of the most iconic country-pop duets and collaborations in recent history.
Parton previously teamed up with Beyoncé on these two tracks for Queen B's eighth studio album, 'Cowboy Carter.' Beyoncé also recorded a rendition of Parton’s iconic 'Jolene.'
The best country-pop collaborations of all time
Unexpected musical partnerships that rocked the charts
MUSIC Songs
Pop and country music have long been two of the most influential genres in American music, but every so often, their worlds collide in unforgettable ways. Recent collaborations, like Sabrina Carpenter’s surprise partnership with country icon Dolly Parton, prove that these seemingly separate worlds can merge into something truly magical. Carpenter’s release of the country version of her hit 'Please Please Please' even comes with a new black-and-white music video that captures the duo’s chemistry.
But this is far from the first time country and pop stars have joined forces, and it won’t be the last. From chart-topping duets to crossover hits that blend the best of both worlds, these collaborations have redefined what it means to create music without borders.
Click through this gallery to revisit some of the most iconic country-pop duets and collaborations in recent history.