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 Read the full post.
Apr 14
2008
07:33 PM ET
List(en) up: The best background vocals ever!
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on the album. When they tour, it’s been several different women including Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond.
One of the best R&B backing jobs is Faith Evans on Mary J Blige’s “Never Can Live Without You”. Faith really earned my admiration with that one.
“Stop Dragging My Heart Around” was a duet with Tom Petty. In no way did Stevie Nicks sing back-up.
How about Chaka Khan on Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love”?
Uh,
“whoever sang the Be my little baby?”
That’s Ms. Ronnie Spector
Jeesh
Kind of obscure – but good songs!
Tammy Wynette on KLF’s “Justified & Ancient”
Olivia Newton-John on John Denver’s “Fly Away”
I agree with almost ALL of the comments so far. Songs that may have skipped people’s notice in the 80′s and 90′s:
Michael Stipe backing Syd Straw on “Future Looking Like the 40s”
Kim Deal on Ultra Vivid Scene’s “How Does It Make You Feel (Right Now)”
And mamma mia, I can’t believe no one mentioned anything about Queen’s vocal harmonizing skills!! Prime example: Queen’s “Bohemiam Rhapsody”
By the way, a lot of people seem to be mistaking duets for background vocals. Background vocals are just that, in the background. Duets are like the Snow Patrol and Martha Wainwright reference. Just an FYI.
Michael McDonald on EVERYTHING. :^)
Oh yeah, and…
>- Stevie Nicks giving that spine-tingling urgency to Tom Petty’s “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”
Seeing how this was the LEAD SINGLE on Stevie’s OWN ALBUM, I don’t think she qualifies as “backup singer”….
Oleta Adams on Tears for Fears: Woman in Chains
Kate Bush on Big Country: The Seer
Anything James Taylor sings background on. You may not like him as an artist in his own right, but his voice melds beautifully with almost anyone else’s (including country artists).
Another favorite is JD Souther (singing one of the most beautiful backgrounds on the haunting Linda Ronstadt version of “Prisoner in Disguise”).
I personally love Nora Jones as back up for Dave Grohl in Virginia Moon… its such a beautiful harmony, and her voice is angelic in it
hands down, Don Henley backing up Trisha Yearwood on “Walk away Joe”
Madeline Bell on Roger Waters’ Pros & Cons of Hitchhiking
Since I don’t see it mentioned, I’ll add the I – Threes (anything).Oh! I should also add Michael McDonald (anything), The Blackberries and the Pips, of course.