March 20, 2010 -- They’ve reached number one across the globe, everyone has a favourite and the music business is thriving on them – duets. Collaborations such as Jay Z and Alicia Keyes and Florence Welsh and Dizzee Rascal have not only topped the charts, but provided the highlight of this year’s Brit Awards.
Duets are enjoying a new revival and when asked who they would most like to see share a microphone, the British public voted the flamboyant pairing of Elvis and Lady Gaga as the ultimate duet, according to a new online poll carried out by the UK’s best known dating site, match.com.
Lady Gaga and Elvis are both strong vocalists who just ooze sex appeal The classic pairing of Michael Bublé and Nina Simone came a close second in the poll of over 1,000 people, while soul legends Aretha Franklin and Luther Vandross, who amazingly never recorded a duet together, are the third most requested duet that has never happened.
The top 5 most-wanted duets (as voted by the UK public) are:
1. Lady Gaga and Elvis Presley
2. Michael Buble and Nina Simone
3. Aretha Franklyn and Luther Vandross
4. Barbara Streisand and Will Young
5. Bonnie Tyler and Meat Loaf
When asked what made a good duet, respondents said that killer lyrics and a memorable melody were key, but it’s the chemistry between the two singers that is as important as the actual song. The poll also revealed the top 5 most romantic duets of all time as voted for by the British public, with Jennifer Warnes coming first and third with songs that featured in the hit movies Dirty Dancing (‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’ )and An Officer and a Gentleman (‘Up Where We Belong’). Motown icons Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross came in a close second with the classic duet, Endless Love.
The top 5 most romantic duets in history (as voted by the UK public) are:
1. ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’ - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
2. ‘Endless Love’ - Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross
3. ‘Up Where We Belong’ - Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
4. ‘Islands in the Stream’ - Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
5. ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’- Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Kate Taylor, match.com’s relationship expert said:
“Lady Gaga and Elvis are both strong vocalists, with great charisma who just ooze sex appeal. They’re passionate, powerful performers who aren’t afraid to show their emotions through their music – Just think of the fireworks if these two had ever shared a stage together.
She continues: “Now more than ever it appears Shakespeare was right when he said; ‘If music be the food of love, play on.’ Today over half of us believe a potential partner’s taste in music is very important (55%). Why? Because music helps forge a bond at the start of a relationship, provides strength during difficult times and triggers happy memories to keep the spark alive.”
Additional survey findings:
Women believe songs are an essential part of a relationship, with almost three quarters of them (70%) saying music triggers instant memories, compared with just half of men (55%).
A third of us have made a mix-tape, or created a playlist, to woo that special someone (33%) and almost one in six of us have written a song or poem (16%).
One in ten of us have gone to a gig or concert with our partner for an artist we truly hated and pretended to enjoy it.
We also have been known to translate lyrics from love songs into another language for our partner and serenade them from outside their house.
The results of the research follow hot on the heels of match.com’s new TV advert, known as ’Accidental Duet’, where two people in a music store perform an impromptu duet as they get to know one another through song. The ad is fast attracting an online following across social networks with calls for the ‘Just Me’ track to be released as a single.
Editors Notes:
The survey of 1036 UK adults aged between 25yrs-45yrs was commissioned by match.com in March 2010 with research conducted by Opinion Matters.
About match.com:
match.com began with one simple mission: to help people find love. Today more than 160 members leave the match site every day as couples.
In the UK match.com is the most trusted dating site and since 2005 over 7 million have joined in their search for someone special. Based in London's Leicester Square, match.com is part of MEETIC, Europe’s dating leader.
As well as operating UK site, match.com powers the dating services for MSN, Yahoo!, Penguin and Vodafone.
