It takes two: 25 of the best R&B duets

Deborah Cox put the world on notice with her hit single “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here,” but it was her follow-up that gave fans a heartbreakingly good duet with R.L. from the group Next. On “We Can’t Be Friends,” Cox and R.L. tell the story of being past lovers who run into each from time to time, but find it hard to be cordial because they’re still in love with each other.

Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack released a number of duets, but one of their standouts is “Where Is The Love.” The song is about foolish love with a potential partner saying they’re going to leave their relationship to be with someone else, but they never do, and that’s why Hathaway and Flack ask the question in the title. It’s one of those songs where people should learn not to play with matters of the heart.

While it was never released as a single, “Nothing Even Matters” with Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo is easily a top duet. Not only do their voices match perfectly, but the song highlights how one can be so in love with their partner that everything else in the world seems irrelevant.

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell made a number of songs together, but one of the standouts is “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” An iconic song written by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the track is all about not letting any obstacles or circumstances get in the way of being there for a loved one.

If there was ever a song that should be played at every wedding, it should be “Spend My Life With You.” Eric Benet and Tamia team up on this romantic ballad about what it means to find true love, even when one thought they would never find it. On the first verse they sing, “I never knew such a day could come / And I never knew such a love could be inside of one.”

Duets aren’t always love songs. Sometimes, they’re about dealing with loss. Mariah Carey teamed up with Boyz II Men on their hit song “One Sweet Day.” On the hook, they say, “And I know you’re shining down on me from heaven / Like so many friends we’ve lost along the way / And I know eventually we’ll be together / One sweet day.”

Brandy and Monica came on to the music scene around the same time, and it was a peak moment in their careers when they teamed up for their single “The Boy Is Mine.” The song tells the story about two women who are seemingly dating the same guy, and they both make a case for being the guy’s one and only.

In 2011, CeeLo Green teamed up with Melanie Fiona on their hit single “Fool For You.” At the time, Fiona was still a fairly new singer to the R&B scene. However, this collaboration with CeeLo helped her earn her first Grammy Award. "Fool For You" tells the story of being in love with a partner, no matter how crazy or foolish it may look to others.

The year 2004 was a peak time in Usher’s career, as he released his magnum opus Confessions. On the deluxe version, he joined Alicia Keys on “My Boo.” The lovey-dovey track shows Usher and Alicia storytelling about a past relationship, and though they've moved on, they still have feelings for their ex.

Sometimes, duets are songs about relationships that have gone wrong. Faith Evans and Carl Thomas sang about the ups and downs in a relationship on “Can’t Believe.” The song is all about how they thought their love would last forever but realize their lifetime love is long gone. 

Bobby Brown and the late Whitney Houston were once Hollywood's "it" couple, so it's a bit surprising they only released one song together. “Something In Common” is the perfect track of two people expressing their love for each other. 

Rene and Angela first released “My First Love” back in 1983, but almost two decades later, Avant and Keke Wyatt dropped their cover. The song showcases the two reflecting on the one person who first stole their heart.

Some duets make people feel like they’re living in a fantasy world. Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle know this all too well on their duet “A Whole New World.” The song was the main single from the Disney film Aladdin, and it reflects on how a potential partner can change one's life and show them things they have never seen.

Alicia Keys joined forces with Maxwell on their sensual single “Fire We Make.” The song is all about how their romance continues to sizzle every time they’re in each other’s presence.

In 1985, Cherrelle and Alexander O’Neal dropped their groovy tune “Saturday Love.” On the track, the two reflect on seeing a past lover and reminiscing about their relationship.

Sometimes people want their old love back. On “Fire and Desire,” Teena Marie and Rick James (who dated in real life) sing about how past lovers may be in other relationships, but realize they still have that mutual love for each other.

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell first released “If This World Were Mine” in 1967, but 15 years later, Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn dropped their version. Vandross and Lynn made it more popular, helping it reach No. 4 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

Some artists are musical soulmates, and that could very much be the case with Babyface and Toni Braxton. Not only was Babyface instrumental in Braxton’s career, but in the ‘90s, he was the one to call on when films needed a soundtrack. For the film Boomerang, the two teamed up on the upbeat track “Give U My Heart,” and it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. are just a couple of R&B artists making their mark with the new generation. Their duet “Best Part” is often played at weddings due to its theme of love and infatuation with a partner. On the hook they say, “If life is movie, know you’re the best part.”

In 1987, Keith Sweat and Jacci McGhee released their love jam “Make It Last Forever.” It’s the type of song to play when one wants to have a romantic night with their partner, but they also want to make sure that their love will never end. 

American Idol winner Jordin Sparks teamed up with Chris Brown on her second single “No Air.” They use the "air" to refer to their love, and if she happens to lose her partner, she feels she feels like her life would be incomplete. 

“Alone Together” is one of the most romantic ballads that has been released in the last 10 years. The tones between Daley and Marsha Ambrosius can make any listener fall in love with whatever they’re singing about. “Alone Together” is an ode to one’s lover about their infatuation and spending life with them. On the hook they sing, “You’re the desert sand, I’ll be your water / And you’re the perfect plan I never thought of.”

Nat King Cole always had a pristine voice, and the talent was passed down to his daughter, Natalie Cole. Nat originally released "Unforgettable" in the '50s, and nearly four decades later, Natalie reworked the song as a virtual duet with him. Natalie's version won Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

A duet between two male crooners doesn’t always come around often, which is why “Faded Pictures” is always a standout. The vocal tones between Case and Joe are perfect on the track as they sing about a woman reflecting on a past relationship. On the hook they sing, "Faded pictures in a broken glass / Like a mirror revealing / What the woman is feeling / Was it someone from a distant past / 'Cause it's breaking my heart to watch stare into the glass."

Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack first released “The Closer I Get To You” in 1978, and it was covered many times. However, one cover that stands out comes from Luther Vandross and Beyonce when they released their version in 2003. Beyonce and Vandross won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.