Defining duets
December 18, 2018
A duet can be a musical piece that intertwines two voices to create magic between the two. There are many different ways in which the songs can be presented.
In the imaginative hit single “Reflektor” by Arcade Fire, the alluring voices of Win Butler, Regine Chassagne and a special appearance from David Bowie make the song looser, unlike the techno beats with vocals coming from only one of the two in the duet, with the other providing the rhythm to the song such as “Instant Crush” by Daft Punk and Julian Casablancas; where Casablancas mourns the loss of his love and Daft Punk masks the heartbreak by making it more upbeat.
Then there is the heart wrenching ballad “I Just Threw Out The Love of My Dreams” performed by Weezer and Rachael Hadden on their single AP, that goes back and forth between a love interest giving the listener a sense of longing, contrary to the timeless rock anthem “Under Pressure,” by Queen with David Bowie providing vocals, performing alongside frontman, Freddie Mercury.
Duets can also have a festival effect with several bands playing together on a single stage singing along to a cover. This happened in the Glastonbury festival near New England, with Mumford and Sons, Vampire Weekend, The Vaccines, First Aid Kit and The Staves while performing the song “With a Little Help From My Friends,” by The Beatles in a very energetic manner. Opposed to that is a musical performance such as “The Phantom of the Opera” sung by Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum, a piercing and melodious duet. Although duets come in singles there is the occasional album like Ella and Louis by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong that can soothe one to sleep with harmonious voices and easy listening.
These duets are far removed from the modern pop music of today. From ballads to anthems, these songs create an atmosphere for everyone in every genre. Although the scene is different from hip-hop popular on the radio, it is a refreshing experience.
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