I was just watching Josh Turner’s new video, "Another Try" (below), which features PopWatch favorite Trisha Yearwood on background vocals, and lord, they sound pretty together. It got me wondering: What songs have featured the best background vocals? Not that you’re limited to country (I’ll cast a vote for Richie Sambora on Wanted Dead or Alive), but I don’t think it gets better than Keith Urban guesting on Trisha Yearwood’s hit-waiting-to-happen, "Let the Wind Chase You."
Your turn.
Michael Stipe guesting on Billy Bragg’s “You Woke Up My Neighborhood” Ben Watt backin up Tracey Thorn on ANYTHING; their voices blend together so well sometimes you can’t tell who is whom. The best is probably Kate Bush backing Peter Gabriel on “Don’t Give Up.” (or is that more of a duet?) Heaven.
Shannon Hoon for GNR’s “Don’t Cry”
John McCrea (Cake) on Ben Folds’“Fred Jones Part II”
Two Trisha’s here – one she’s lead, one backup again.
Don Henley on Trisha’s ‘Walkaway Joe’Trisha on Vince Gills ‘Trying to Get Over You’She really, really deserves so much more love than she gets…thanks for championing her…
I don’t know her name, but the woman who backs up Damien Rice on “Volcano” and “The Blower’s Daughter” is amazing.
Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford on Aimee Mann’s “That’s Just What You Are”
Alicia Keys songs make me want to be a backup singer, starting from her very first song, “Fallin’” They accent just particular words with such oomph, i.e. “Sometimes i LOVE YOU.” Plus the faaa-aaa-aaa-aaalls at the end (if that makes any sense). Sick.
michael jackson on rockwell’s somebody’s watching me…classic
Old school – definitely “Midnight Train To Georgia”. Tell me you didn’t want to be a Pip. New school – Trisha Yearwood’s “Walkaway Joe” or “Hearts in Armor” because Don Henley’s voice is the absolute perfect match for hers. And “Deep River Woman” by Lionel Richie with Alabama as backing vocals is a dream.
Natalie Merchant backing Billy Bragg on “Way over yonder in the minor key.”
Kelly Hogan backing Neko Case on anything.
Trent Reznor backing Tori Amos on “Past the Mission,” and Maynard James Keenan helping her out on a live version of “Muhammed My Friend.” Nice. Very nice.
Michael McDonald on Toto’s “I’ll Be Over You”
Oh! Michael Berg reminded me of this one. “Go Rest High On That Mountain” by Vince Gill with Ricky Scaggs and Patty Loveless on backing vocals.
Since Rick Astley has become cool again, I’ll add “It Would Take A Strong Strong Man” to this list… I could swear I hear Boy George in the backing vocals… although I’ve never been able to confirm this!
Tim and Gareth backing up David Brent’s “Freelove Freeway” on the British Office.
“She’s deaaaaad”
“She’s not DEAD”