Double Trouble

Dynamic Duos — 10 Amazing Musical Twosomes

Two’s company, Three’s a crowd with creative differences

Here’s a list of things that are better with two people rather than one:

• Monopoly.
• Sex.
• Monopoly sex.
• Joining the Army.
• Filing taxes.
• Shouting at the elderly.
• Buying condoms.

But the big one, of course, is…Music!

Music is so much more enjoyable with two people gracing the stage.

There’s more energy, stage presence, and a bigger target to throw your knickers at.

I’m still not allowed back to Coachella because of that :/ — Sorry, Mr. Styles.

Anyway, my point is that there are some awesome super duos out there.

Let's look at the best double acts there have ever been — since America and obesity.

10. Steely Dan

Duo: Walter Becker & Donald Fagen

Formed: 1971, New York City

Genre: Jazz Rock, Soft Rock, Pop Rock, Jazz Fusion

Best Song: Do It Again

Steely Dan is a studio-based duo who rose to fame with their debut album “Can’t Buy A Thrill.”

Hit singles “Reelin’ In The Years” and “Do It Again” shot the duo to success with regular radio play.

The band has a very distinctive laid-back jazzy rock sound. It makes me feel like I’m skipping through a grassy meadow on a summer's day, holding hands with a supermodel who hasn’t realised she’s way too good for me.

I think that’s the sound Steely Dan is going for with their music.

It’s how it makes me feel anyway.

9. Camelphat

Duo: Dave Whelan & Mike Di Scala

Formed: 2004, Liverpool

Genre: House, Tech House, Deep House, Progressive House

Best Song: Panic Room

Dance duo Camelphat is not two men hidden inside a camel to make it look overweight; they are a couple of very talented house musicians.

Their most well-known songs are “Panic Room” and the smash hit “Cola.”

The band experiments with progressive dance and tech house sound, keeping their listeners engaged with songs that can last up to 6 minutes.

In their 2020 album “Dark Matters,” the band adds an array of talent which displays their versatility. These artists include Noel Gallagher, Foals, Jake Bugg, LOWES, and many more.

If you’re looking to rave away the day and forget about life, and Russia, this is the group for you.

8. The White Stripes

Duo: Jack White & Meg White

Formed: 1997, Detroit

Genre: Garage Rock, Blues Rock, Alternative Rock, Punk Blues, Indie Rock

Best Song: Blue Orchid

The White Stripes came cruising into people’s ear crevices with bangers such as “Seven Nation Army” and “Blue Orchid”.

This duo was actually married to each other, as well as to the music. But unfortunately, their relationship is now no more.

It shows that you can make beautiful music with your partner…but if you don’t put the garbage out, then they’re gonna get pissed.

Jack has gone on to have a pretty good solo career, creating one of the best Bond songs ever in “Another Way To Die” with Alicia Keys.

So, if your marriage goes to shit, you can always make yourself feel better by making a Bond song with another woman.

That’ll show her.

7. Mobb Deep

Duo: Albert Johnson (Prodigy) & Kejuan Waliek Muchita (Havoc)

Formed: 1991, New York City

Genre: Hip hop, Hardcore hip hop, Gangsta rap

Best Song: Shook Ones Part 2

Okay, okay. I am aware rap, especially elements of gangsta rap, are not everybody’s cup of tea. But what Mobb Deep did for hip hop cannot be understated.

Prodigy and Havoc met each other in Manhattan and began performing together. Initially struggling to make a dent on the rap scene, Mobb Deep were considered just another couple of gangsta rappers trying to make some “Phat Stacks.”

However, the duo persisted, and with Havoc’s intricate beat production combined with Prodigy’s wordplay wizardry, the two started to get audiences to sit up and take notice.

Their debut album, “The Infamous” brought us many great tunes representing the raw grittiness of 1990s Brooklyn.

The most influential being “Shook Ones Part 2," which became a template of hip hop music and is still influencing producers and rappers to this day.

6. Royal Blood

Duo: Mike Kerr & Ben Thatcher

Formed: 2011, Worthing

Genre: Hard rock, Psychedelic rock, Blues-rock, Garage rock, Stoner rock

Best Song: Little Monster

Rock royalty is hard to come by in the modern age. Just ask that 60-year-old dude at the back of the gig telling you what it was like in the 70s.

Despite this, Royal Blood are donating their very own sound to our ears, and it’s so refreshing.

In my opinion, their most well-known song is also their best — “Little Monster.” A tune to get you out of your chair and headbanging all the way to whiplash heaven.

Various rock sounds, from hardcore to more chilled-out blues/stoner rock. These lads will get you to put your doobies up in the air and say to your mate next to you:

“Dude, let’s go get some tacos”

Mike Kerr provides us with the vocals and bass, as Ben Thatcher beautifully smashes the shit out of the drums.

The duo have quietly been creeping up the rock ladder towards legendary status.

Royal Blood may soon be sitting on the throne of rock supremacy.

Watch out for these guys!

5. Soft Cell

Duo: Marc Almond & David Ball

Formed: 1977, Leeds

Genre: Synthpop, New wave, Minimal synth, Electronic

Best song: Tainted Love

Remember when you first had music lessons at school, and the teacher let you loose with a keyboard? Well, these guys took that idea and ran with it.

Soft Cell were pioneers in the new wave music scene. They also created one of the few songs out there about sex dwarves. About time I say.

Formed in Leeds in the north of England, Almond & Ball not only sounded like a law firm but also created one of the most iconic songs ever— “Tainted Love.”

It’s an absolute belter of a track that has stood the test of time and continues to be played in clubs worldwide.

So next time you drink too much and get in trouble with the cops for being drunk and disorderly, just remember the people to call:

Almond & Ball — Attorneys at Law.

4. OutKast

Duo: André Lauren Benjamin (Andre 3000) & Antwan André Patton (Big Boi)

Formed: 1992, Atlanta/Georgia

Genre: Southern hip hop, Progressive rap

Best song: Roses

OutKast is arguably one of the most versatile hip-hop groups ever.

Made up of rappers Andre 3000 and Big Boi, the two have many strings to their respective rap bows.

Tracks like “Atliens” showcase the duo’s wordplay gymnastics.

“Roses” incorporates a different experimental sound, with Andre 3000 predominantly singing.

Not to mention their smash hit “Hey Ya,” displaying their ability to infiltrate the pop scene.

As Big Boi fires out lyrics faster than a Gatling gun, Andre 3000 weaves together carefully crafted wordplay with finesse Shakespeare would kill for.

Regarded as one of the most influential hip hop duos of all time, OutKast will go down in history as one of the lyrical greats of the genre.

3. Daft Punk

Duo: Thomas Bangalter & Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo

Formed: 1993, Paris

Genre: French house, Electronic, Dance, Disco

Best Song: One More Time

The Robocop tribute band that is Daft Punk have made dance music what it is today — absolutely awesome.

They have brought us smash hits like “Around The World” and “One More Time.” More recently, they have had great success with their track “Get Lucky” featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers.

These fantastic French men are sadly no longer together but continue to work individually. Their legacy as Daft Punk has provided an influential foundation for dance and electronic music to continue growing and blossoming.

The use of electronic synth sounds gives Daft Punk their signature sound. As if the robot helmets weren’t enough to make them stand out.

They must have a nightmare trying to get their passport photos taken.

2. Wham!

Duo: Andrew Ridgeley & George Michael

Formed: 1981, Bushey

Genre: Pop

Best Song: I’m Your Man

If you’ve heard of Christmas, then I’m guessing you’ve heard of Wham!

Not only do they remind you of what they got you for the holidays last year, but they also have a vast array of pop classics.

“Club Tropicana” and “Everything She Wants,” as well as the alarm clock anthem “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” are the tunes that are quintessentially Wham!

They are so much more than a one-hit wonder Christmas duo — I think they do weddings too.

The lads even dabbled with rapping with tracks “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do?)” and “Young Guns (Go for It!)”. Songs that strike fear into the hearts of gangsta rappers across the globe.

A versatile pop group that shot George Michael to god-like superstar status. Michael embarked on a hugely successful solo career with hits such as “Amazing” and “Fast Love.”

Oh, and of course, there’s a little tune called “Careless Whisper” — a song that librarians detest to this day.

Ridgeley decided to shun the spotlight in 1991, pursuing things from Formula 3 motor racing to acting.

An iconic pop duo that will go down in history as one of the best to ever do it — and if they’re gonna do it right right, do it with me.

1. Elton John & Bernie Taupin

Duo: Elton John & Bernie Taupin

Formed: 1967, Pinner

Genre: Rock, Pop rock, Glam rock, Soft rock

Best song: Bennie And The Jets

Now, you eagle-eyed readers out there may have noticed that these two aren’t strictly a duo group, but they have collaborated together since 1967 — I’d say that constitutes a duo.

With Elton fiddling with more keys than an anxious locksmith as he unleashes incredible rock vocals, the mastermind behind the story of the songs’ was songwriter Bernie Taupin.

As rocket man Elton surpassed everyone on his way to the stars, it’s easy to forget that Taupin was the man on the ground, giving Elton’s musical talent a message to share.

The songs were crafted with meaning by Taupin, to then be brought to life by John.

For decades these two have made incredible music with their respective musical skill sets.

I wish my mates were successful singers and pianists; then I’d be raking it in. Unfortunately, I don’t think they can even burp the alphabet — a skill I’ve heard Elton prides himself on.

But enough about me and my failed dreams — hats off to Captain Fantastic and the writer supreme.

Two’s The Magic Number

There we have it, gang; 10 of the greatest duos to ever do the music shiz.

However, I have to shout out the amazing twosomes who didn’t make the list — mainly because there are so many great duos out there.

I forgot about a few of them, but let’s not talk about that.

Special Mentions:

• Eric B. & Rakim
• Simon & Garfunkel
• Pete Rock & CL Smooth
• Hall & Oates
• Tears For Fears
• The Black Keys

So, let’s have a recap:

10. Steely Dan — Makes me feel like I’m running through a meadow with a supermodel.

9. Camelphat — Not an obese camel.

8. The White Stripes — Gets back at their ex by making a Bond song.

7. Mobb Deep — Too cool for your parents.

6. Royal Blood — Gets high and smashes the shit out of their drums.

5. Soft Cell — Almond & Ball, Attorneys at Law.

4. OutKast — Love roses and aliens.

3. Daft Punk — French robots.

2. Wham! — Christmas Formula One Drivers

1. Elton John & Bernie Taupin — Too lazy to create a band name.

Lovely stuff.

So what did you think?

Are they the best duos you’d love to double date with?

Or should I find a partner to help me because I don’t know what I’m talking about? Yup, probably this one.

Thanks for reading, guys!

I’m off on Musical Tinder to try to find a partner to become famous with.

Cheerio!