7 weirdest rock pairings that should never have worked but did

In the realm of rock and roll, there have always been unexpected duos. Artists who, on the surface, seemed to clash, yet managed to create harmonious music together. I won’t dwell on the Gallaghers, as they already receive plenty of attention. Musically, their pairing was plausible, but in every other aspect, they were like two different elements – matter and anti-matter. It appears that I have unintentionally mentioned them, even though I promised not to. This happened right from the start. That’s all. For real.

One intriguing contrast I’d like to highlight from the rock era doesn’t involve Roky Erickson and Tommy Hall of the 13th Floor Elevators, despite that being a common guess. Instead, it was Sonny & Cher, whose real names are Salvatore Phillip Bono and Cheryl Sarkisian, who stood out due to their striking difference in heights during the ’60s and ’70s. He was relatively short, while she towered over him.

She was quite young, while he was considerably older. In terms of politics, they held views that were as disparate as possible. As for their musical talents, Sonny shared a voice with your sibling who attempts to sing – it’s thin and somewhat whiny, but at least it’s usually in key. On the other hand, Cher possesses, and still maintains, one of the most remarkable voices from the past sixty years.

These seven odd rock and roll pairings should have never worked but found their way to do so

Initially, their collaboration proved effective, mainly due to Cher’s exceptional talent and Sonny’s knack for identifying the latest trends in production. However, it was inevitable that their partnership wouldn’t endure, given their contrasting personalities.

In more current times, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss might appear as unexpected collaborators, yet they’ve successfully maintained their partnership for quite some time now. Even an unusual incident like the 2023 Las Vegas show, where Krauss left the stage mid-song and didn’t return, seems to only enhance their enigmatic allure, wouldn’t you agree?

Today, I’d like to explore unique combinations for a few tunes – unusual pairings that defied logic yet somehow succeeded in the realm of rock and roll. While we might venture beyond these boundaries a bit, today’s discussion will primarily focus on this genre, excluding hip hop due to its prevalent use of guest performers, which could warrant an article of its own. Instead, let’s traverse the decades – and sometimes continents – to uncover fascinating collaborations that produced some truly surprising, awesome songs.

“State of Shock” by the Jacksons and Mick Jagger (1984)

The stories associated with this particular song are nothing short of epic. Michael Jackson had initially intended it as a duet with Freddie Mercury, but sadly, they never managed to complete the recording process. The specific reasons behind their inability to finish remain somewhat unclear. Officially, it was attributed to scheduling conflicts, a familiar excuse when a project falls through. It’s also important to note that other common reasons for project failure include a wish “to prioritize family time” and the more candid “creative disagreements.

Well, stepping into Freddie’s shoes certainly felt like a daunting task, but I gave it my all and managed to create a mind-blowing fusion of disco and rock. This track dropped right after Michael’s iconic “Thriller,” a time when his collaborations with his brothers were starting to wind down. The song was an international sensation, reaching the top ten charts worldwide, and even propelled the Jacksons’ “Victory” album into the top five in the US. Some critics weren’t quite sold on “State of Shock,” but I take it as a challenge to keep pushing boundaries!

In the ending, Mick’s request for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation feels somewhat overdramatic. However, history has proved it to be an enjoyable song. It provides a unique opportunity to listen to both Michael and Mick perform together. Definitely worth a listen!

“Put a Little Love in Your Heart” by Annie Lennox and Al Green (1988)

Speaking more casually, “The original ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart’ by Jackie DeShannon is an amazing tune. Her original rendition from the late ’60s was fantastic, and she sang it beautifully. However, this later cover had three elements that the original lacked. It featured Annie Lennox, one of the most multi-talented singers of her era. It showcased Al Green, one of the best singers across all generations. Moreover, Dave Stewart, a collaborator of Lennox in Eurythmics, produced it.

Stewart delivers a victorious tone that surpasses the original, while Green shines brightly with his sparkling performance. Lennox harmonizes well as she can adapt her singing style to suit any need. The audience was introduced to this song at the end of the movie “Scrooged,” starring Bill Murray, and it later became a top-ten hit in the United States.

“Burning Down the House” by Tom Jones and the Cardigans (1999)

A list of peculiar rock tunes wouldn’t feel whole without a track by the Welsh gentleman known for his extraordinary voice and fabulous hair, Tom Jones. This particular selection emerged when Jones was well past his peak in the ’60s and ’70s yet remained a compelling listen due to his daring experiments. He reimagined one of the finest songs from one of the most promising new wave groups, infusing it with his unique blend of big band and hard rock style.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel electrified when the Cardigans, those brilliant Swedish indie pop artists, lend their tunes to my gaming experience. Their “fighting fire with fire” tracks, filled with shimmering melodies, are irresistibly awesome. The raw emotion of Jones and the chilly charm of Nina Persson blend perfectly, taking turns with vocals, then harmonizing, and eventually layering their voices. If funk blanc were a genre, this is exactly what it would sound like.

”Dirty Love” by Kesha and Iggy Pop (2012)

In 2010, Kesha (formerly Ke$ha) dominated the global music scene with her first album, “Animal.” This success provided her with more creative freedom for her next project, “Warrior.” Although she was widely recognized as a dance-pop monarch, Kesha viewed herself as a rock musician. In 2012, there weren’t many better partners to collaborate with if you wanted to rock than James Osterberg, famously known as the pioneering punk icon Iggy Pop.

As a music enthusiast, I found myself captivated by a duet where age was just a number. Despite him being four decades her senior, they ignited a raw and unapologetic energy when they belted out their rock ‘n’ roll tunes. Lyrics like “You’re not my daddy, baby, I’m full grown” and “I just want your dirty love” didn’t elicit a cringe but instead resonated with a primal rhythm.

The song starts with the modern twist of having the singers introduce each other by name, yet it maintains an authentic old-school rock feel. Iggy, in his unique style, draws parallels between cockroaches, Afghan rug vendors, and Rick Santorum. If you’re someone who thinks champagne tastes like urine, then “Dirty Love” is your anthem.

“Stay” by Mikky Ekko and Rihanna (2012)

2012 found me, a gamer, captivated by the global phenomenon that was Rihanna, with a string of hit albums under her belt. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I came across Mikky Ekko, an unconventional singer-songwriter hailing from Nashville. His early tunes were a blend of expressive dream pop, both fragile and psychedelic in nature. As time went by, he started to incorporate more rock elements into his music, but back in 2012, Mikky wasn’t quite rock or pop yet.

Rihanna had the freedom to make her own choices, and her albums like “Good Girl Gone Bad”, “Rated R”, and “Loud” weren’t just successful records; they embodied her spirit and attitude. While she had previously sung tender love songs, she hadn’t yet explored a style similar to Mikky Ekko’s romantic ballads.

In their duet, she immediately adds authentic blues-pop feel to his unique minimalist style that strays from the typical path. Although his voice lacks her warmth, their contrasting tones complement each other beautifully. Essentially, they create an harmonious mix of two distinct tonal approaches, which perfectly enhances the charm of the song.

“Under Pressure” by Karen O and Willie Nelson (2020)

Iggy Pop is 40 years older than Kesha, while Willie Nelson is even older – 45 years older than Karen O. As far as I know, this still holds true. Karen O, who was born in Korea and grew up in the New Jersey/New York region, is an indie rocker. In contrast, Willie Nelson, hailing from Texas, has long been associated with the best of Austin’s music scene.

Or: Iggy Pop is 40 years older than Kesha, and Willie Nelson is 15 years older than that, being 45 years senior to Karen O. Both are musicians, but Karen was born in Korea and raised in New Jersey/New York, while Willie Nelson comes from Texas and has deep roots in Austin’s music scene.

It’s not clear why they decided to reinterpret the iconic 1981 duet between Queen and David Bowie, but it seems that Willie enjoys taking on such projects. They’ve given a disco-era classic a more leisurely tempo, and I can almost hear a hint of a country twang in Karen’s vocals at certain moments.

The pedal steel guitar subtly weaves in and out of the melody, giving the track a soothing, ethereal vibe that takes away the dance rhythm, making it a deeply engrossing listen. This song demonstrates, more effectively than many others, that intensity or speed are not essential for creating significant impact. In fact, deliberate restraint can be an incredibly powerful artistic decision.

“Shimi” by Maximum the Hormone and Atarashii Gakko! (2024)

So far, I’ve steered clear of remixes. However, if I had embraced them, tracks like the DNA remix of Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” would have been on the list. But here at the end, this exceptional track called “Shimi” by Maximum the Hormone is too captivating to overlook. I suspect – though it’s not confirmed – that Japanese metal trailblazers Maximum the Hormone worked with J-Pop stars Atarashii Gakko on a new version of “Shimi,” which was originally from their 2007 album Bu-ikikaesu.

I say “I think” because I must admit, I don’t know. To be honest, I can’t understand the lyrics since they’re in Japanese. Also, I don’t have much interest in metal music or J-Pop girl groups. On the surface, this song doesn’t seem like something I would enjoy. But then again, there might not be any particular reason for these two bands to collaborate, other than their own creative impulses.

Initially, it starts off slow and methodical, later transforming into fast-paced heavy metal, and eventually evolving into a grand melodic hymn. For the following four minutes, it blends together all these components. Interestingly, there’s even a touch of rap mixed in. This might be the epitome of an unusual combination that results in something more impressive than its individual pieces.

2025-03-01 14:00