Doug: Today's post-gluttony conversation is on back-up vocalists in popular music -- sometimes surprising us! Think about it -- there have probably been many times when you've heard a song for the first time, and you're suddenly beset with a feeling of, "Hey, that sounds an awful lot like..." And, to be honest, sometimes you're flat-out wrong. Today we'd like to hear examples of favorite collaborations between the lead artist and their well-known back-up singer(s).
Doug: I'll start. Well, actually I'll start with a mistake I made for some time until I finally had the resources (i.e. the Internet) to look it up. I forever thought that Dolly Parton sang back-up on the Eric Clapton hit "Lay Down Sally". Fooled me! Actually, a somewhat famous artist did sing on that record -- Yvonne Elliman. Marcella Detroit also sang, and to be honest I'm not certain which lady fooled me, but I'm thinking it was the latter. As to collaborations I'm certain of, how about Phil Collins singing on the Howard Jones hit, "No One Is to Blame"? That tune, which I heard on the radio last week, actually serves as the inspiration for today's topic. I'll leave you with one more before I turn it over to my partner -- then it will fall to you.
John Stewart was a former member of The Kingston Trio when he became a one-hit wonder with 1979's "Gold". Stevie Nicks, then riding the high crest of popularity from Fleetwood Mac's success, sang back-up on that track. If you click the link on Stewart's name, you'll be taken to the Wikipedia page about him -- and how about that? I had no idea he wrote "Daydream Believer" for the Monkees!
Karen: Since I've been in a Stones mood lately, how about "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon, with Mick Jagger on backing vocals? Of course there was speculation that the song actually was about Jagger for many years, but it seems that it most likely was about Warren Beatty. Still, given the lyrics, one can see why people would draw that conclusion.
Karen: OK, it's your turn: let's hear about your favorite musical team-ups here.
