When the backup singers make the song.

The backup singers are just one element.

This song is NOTHING without the backup singer.

Duran Duran: The Reflex. Flex, flex, flex, flex, flex.

Cissy Houston upstaging/cracking up Elvis

Yes, Elvis had the BEST backup singers! Another classic with great backing, “In the Ghetto”

R4 if you're going to mention Cissy then you should have mentioned where she really stole the show:

R5 that song was pure crap until this version was recorded. Once it was... perfection.

Gimme Shelter (Rolling Stones)

Total Eclipse of the Heart

R8, you beat me to it.

Sing it, Luther!

David Bowie - Young Americans

Funny you should bring up this topic, OP. I was listening to More Than I Can Say by Leo Sayer last night and while I like him, I LOVE the backup singers, especially at the end. They absolutely make this song, IMO. I find myself being distracted by them whenever I hear it. Maybe the backup vocals are done by Sayer too, but whatever, I like it far more than the rest of the song.

R6 All I could think of during that video was at least Cissy knows to wear sleeves as an older lady, and I was constantly scared that Aretha was going to expose her breasts to everyone.

"Do You Believe In Love?" by Huey Lewis & The News.

Stevie Nicks's backup vocals always stole the show (Lindsey Buckingham also sings on this track)

Stevie N is luscious on Walter Egan's Magnet and Steel. Christine McVie sounds breathy and beautiful on Bob Welch's Sentimental Lady. And The Beach Boys are haunting on Chicago's Wishing You Were Here.

Lou Rawls singing backup for Sam Cooke.

Olivia Newton John on Fly Away

Arnold Palmer owns this thread. Visually at least.

Madonna deserves a mention.

*Robert (Palmer)

I love the male backup singers on “You Got It” by Roy Orbison.

The singers on Bowie’s “Modern Love” are fun, too.

Lightnin' Strikes, by Lou Christie

Always loved this live version from Midnight Special

Kids In America - Kim Wilde Toy Soldiers - Martika Another Brick In the Wall -Pink Floyd Youth of the Nation - P.O.D.

[quote] Robert (Palmer)

Thanks for the correction. I was at a total loss associating Arnold Palmer with anything more melodious then a Penzoil commercial.

[quote] Lightnin' Strikes, by Lou Christie

I don't know about his live appearances but on the record the backup group were Denise Ferri, Bernadette Carroll and Peggy Santiglia. They did a lot of backup vocals and Bernadette had several minor hit records of her own.

Like A Prayer by Madonna

The Stroke by Billy Squier

Don't forget KC and the Sunshine Band's "That's he Way I Like It". It's all back up singers!

The late great Sylvester had a string of hits in the early 1980s. His backup singers, The Weather Girls, did most of the lead vocals.

It was a big hit when it was out but has faded from memory. It's one of my all time favorite songs. Stevie Nicks do back up for John Steward Gold. She just fucking makes the song.

It was literally Michael Jackson's backup vocals that made this song a hit:

Olivia Newton John’s pretty soprano set off by that crazy bass backup.

Mick Jagger singing backup on You’re So Vain.

Rick Astley - Cry For Help.

Like a Prayer wins hands down. I showed up because it's a Madonna song, but stayed for the backup vocals.

Mike Sammes did the bass back-up on ONJ’s two big country hits.

He’s even better on If You Love Me, Let Me Know.

Chaka

Johnny Bristol on "Somday We'll be Together," though imo it's more of a duet between he and Diane. Bristol MAKES this song, no question.

"My Church" by Maren Morris.

Yeah I love that bass voice on Olivia's songs. It really helped make them something special. I love who ever does the back up in Church of the Poison Mind.

R33 Agreed. I wanted more.

The guy who sings with Cyndi on Time After Time.

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror

Luther Vandross - Stop To Love

The Eagles' "Witchy Woman", with that chorus of wails in the middle...

Definitely R41.

Rosemary Butler

"Mountains" by Prince.

"Diamonds and Pearls" by Prince.

Michael McDonald

Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking

Gonna go with another Steely Dan song. I love the backups on “Babylon Sister”.

Yeasss, r49!

Yanick Etienne

There can be only one.

Babyface singing backup on Toni Braxton’s “You’re Making Me High”

Mariah singing backup on Babyface’s “Everytime I Close My Eyes”

Leonard Cohen's TOWER OF SONG.

Jackson 5 - "Forever Came Today"

Paul Simon's "Tenderness"

Donna Summer, State of Independence. Especially this live version.

Celine Dion - Love Can Move Mountains

Young Americans!!

Lou Christie's real name is Luigi Sacco. His eyes give away he's high in that Midnight Special clip, which is the best version of that song EVER! the backup girl on the right, she's cute, is famous from working with big stars on their albums and concerts. She's in the Linda Ronstadt Midnight Special clip singing 'You're No Good". Lou is so sexy in that video, you can see the outline of his huge Italian pinga.

Simple Minds, Alive and Kicking.

Merry Clayton OWNS gimme shelter

Here is the fabulous Margie Hendricks and the Raelettes. It’s too bad the industry was so male-oriented when she was alive. In a just world, she would be in the Hall of Fame on her own.

Her backup singer is okay too.

Of Margie Hendricks, Ray Charles said, "Aretha, Gladys, Etta James—these gals are all bad, but on any given night, Margie will scare you to death."

The Manhattan Transfer's GLORIA.

So many GOOD ONES on this thread!!

Ahem.

Lesley Duncan, Doris Troy, Barry St. John, and Liza Strike on "Brain Damage/Eclipse," on Pink Floyd's [italic]Dark Side of theMoon.[/italic] Just stunning, and brings me to tears every time I hear those songs.

I have to admit I like Grace Vanderwaal's remake/rewrite of I Can See Clearly Now (except for the 'accept all the things i cannot change' line .. too hallmark).

“From Hank to Hendrix” and a few other songs on Neil Young’s Harvest Moon have backup vocals by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.

"Under African Skies" Paul Simon

R50: Patti Austin was one of the Babylon Sisters on Gaucho.

[quote] Gonna go with another Steely Dan song. I love the backups on “Babylon Sister”.

Yes, r50, that is a great one. Fantastic when performed live and the girls are given the spotlight

"you gotta shake it, baby / you gotta shake it, baby / you gotta shake IT..."

"Coming Around Again" by Carly Simon.

"Everyday People" - Sly and the Family Stone

"Rocky Me Amadeus" Falco

Love Steve with a little bit of James Taylor

For almost 20 years, Nadirah Shakoor (former singer in Arrested Development) has sung backup for Jimmy Buffett. Some songs like “Son of a Son of a Sailer” have almost become duets.

"Dirty Harry" Gorillaz

"To Zion" Lauryn Hill

R63, Merry Clayton's vocal is epic. It is really more of a duet vocal as she gives the song it's entire personality. Yes, she did have a stillbirth (or miscarriage) but NOT because she blew out their sound system. That is an unfortunate myth. She was nearly full-term at the time...so tragic. Ms. Clayton has had some hard times.

Chicks for Free

Michael McDonald in Ride Like the Wing. Makes the song.

^^^^^wind not wing.

I listen to "Everytime I Think Of You" at least once a week

The fabulous Helen Terry

Came here to give props to those who mentioned all of Stevie's backup appearances, and Mick on your so vain. Related, as they made the song but are not vocals...Prince's keyboards on Stevie's Stand Back.

Of course I meant You're So Vain...it's late here.

Does anyone have info on the backup singers on the 5 or 6 Bacharach/David/Warwick Scepter Records albums of the 1960s? They are one of the many elements on these records which never grow old to me- the vocal arrangements and the backups themselves are amazing. I tried Googling and was not able to find out much but it sounds to me like they are the same or mostly the same backups on all the records. Did DeeDee Warwick sing backup for Dionne? The one below is beyond perfection.

r48 you can add a few tracks on the album Aja as well. Peg and I've Got The News are stamped with Michael McDonald's backing vocals too.

Under African Skies

The incredible Claire Torrey (though I think here she's more of a featured vocalist rather than backup) on Pink Floyd's "Great Gig In The Sky"

I NEVER WANTED GO

Prisoner in Disguise - Linda Ronstadt (w/J.D. Souther)

In My Hour of Darkness - Gram Parsons w/Emmylou and Linda

Love Hurts - Gram & Emmylou

R5, I don't get the whole Elvis thing. He's not even good looking in that video. And he can't sing for shit. Plus his enunciation is for shit.

Lou Rawls on 'Bring It On Home To Me" by Sam Cooke

Hearts against the Wind - JD Souther w/Linda Ronstadt

Best REM song, thanks to Kate Pierson's backup vocals.

Jackson Brown's "Stay" (Album: Running on Empty), featuring Rosemary Butler -

Primitive Radio Gods' "Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth..." owns this thread. The well placed sample of BB King's "How Blue Can You Get" shreds the listener to pieces. The song is literally nothing without this melancholic rift. I personally know of 2 people who have been profoundly affected by this song. Howard Stern stated on his radio show that he wept uncontrollably the first time he listened to it.

You must have read my mind OP, I was listening to that last night thinking of how great the backup singers are. I also found out recently found out that John Waite was also the lead singer of Bad English.

^riff

Hold On, Hold Out

r97, great minds think alike.

....

Gino Vannelli had great background singers, especially on "I Just Wanna Stop" and "Living Inside Myself"

Other faves: Cissy Houston, Jocelyn Brown and Gwen Guthrie on Aretha's "Until You Come Back to Me"

Patti Austin on Frankie Valli's "Swearin' to God"

Luther Vandross, Jocelyn Brown and Gwen Guthrie on Roberta Flack's "God Don't Like .Ugly"

Irene Cara on Vicki Sue Robinson's "Turn the Beat Around"

Minnie Riperton and Deniece Williams on Fontella Bass's "Rescue Me"

Bridge over Troubled Water

Agree with others about Gimme Shelter and Young Americans.

Also want to add "I go Blind" - the 54-40 version, not the stank Hootie and the Blowfish version.

R99, that wasn't the only time Kate saved REM's ass.

Im Not in Love -10cc

r110, even Kate couldn't save that steaming pile.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side-"and the colored girls sing 'do do do do dodo"

[quote]I listen to "Everytime I Think Of You" at least once a week

The Babys Anthology gets played often around my house

No one's mentioned Laura Nyro and Labelle?

Just stunning background vocals.

Not really The Supremes backing up Diana on this one - it's Johnny Bristol, Maxine Waters, Julia Waters and (according to Wikipedia) Merry Clayton

Every Time I Think of You is one of those one in a million songs.

Luther and Cissy (among others) strike again.

That's the great Robin Clark on Simple Minds' Alive and Kicking. She's also singing next.to Luther in the Young Americans video.

I'll add Pet Shop Boys' What Have I Done to Deserve This. RIP Dusty.

Aretha Franklin - Ain't No Way [1968]

That high note is Cissy Houston. To me it added a thrill to the song.

^^^ Cissy Houston really good at upstaging the legends.

The Blossoms - the greatest backup group of all time. It's a crime that the Supremes had a career and these girls didn't.

Cher- A Woman's Story

John Lennon on David Bowie's "Fame"

Bonnie Raitt w/ John Prine

R116, Mother Maxine sang backup for Diana Ross?

Eurythmics - Missionary Man (Joniece Jamison)

Go ahead and chair dance. You know you want to.....

Oh Me Oh My - Al Green

Pointer Sisters and Sylvester on BETTY DAVIS' record (Miles Davis' ex wife)- have a listen. Released in 1973. Betty Davis is one bad ass chick.

R130 here, here's the link to Betty Davis..

Luther and crew backing Bowie on Right

Mariah Carey records her own back-up vocals and stacks them with the main track. Always Be My Baby is perhaps her best.

I KNOW THAT YOU'LL BE BACK, BOY WHEN YOUR DAYS AND NIGHTS GET A LITTLE BIT COLDERRRRR

George Michael on Deon Estus's Heaven Help Me

Bowie backing Lou Reed on Satellite of love

60s bands often had elaborate and complex backing vocal arrangements. The Association’s song “Barefoot Gentleman” (an album track from 1968) is a good example.

One of my all-time favourites: 'I Used To Love Him' by Lauryn Hill feat. Mary J. Blige. Lauryn and Mary sound great, but the background singers and harmonies are nothing short of exceptionally outstanding. Without them, this song wouldn't be the masterpiece it is:

OK, he's a fuckwit, but Kirsty MacColl always sounded so nice on Smiths/Morrissey songs

Wonderful choice R137.

Mariah Carey is hardly the first to stack or layer her own background vocals R133. Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell, Jane Siberry, Whitney Houston and Bette Midler all have done it many times to great effect.

Linda Ronstadt - I Can't Let Go (Nicolette Larson)

r126, not sure if you're kidding, but you made me smile. Nope, not the Congresswoman -- this Maxine and her siblings were among the prolific backup singers featured in [italic]20 Feet From Stardom[/italic].

^ -r116

A hard rains a gonna fall by the Staple singers.

This twitter thread celebrating Luther's Bday has a lot to say.

Sorrow by David Bowie (I think it's Lesley Duncan with Bowie on backing)

Isn't It Time by the Babys

r139 reminds me. 'You Give Good Love' is an excellent example of good background vocals. Even in such a case of spectacular lead vocals.

In Louis Prima’s version Just a Gigolo, Keeley Smith was the standout backup singer, and soon graduated to doing duets .

"Edge of Seventeen" - Stevie Nicks.

Nicolette Larsen's backing vocals on "Four Strong Winds" by Neil Young.

The Babys are interesting - love all their stuff, but never think of listening to it.

Robert Gorl 'Darling Don't Leave Me' with Annie Lennox repeating background vocals "TIE me BITE me HATE me!".

"Born Under Punches" - Talking Heads

Love the Eurhythmics' "Must Be Talking to an Angel" with that crazy angel choir singing backup to Annie. It has a great video too.

I've always love the backup singing in Neil Diamond's song "Soolaimon". Here is Neil with an African beat on the Glen Campbell Show (imagine).

I say he-e-e-ey!

He-e-ey!

Ho-o-o!

Ho-o-o!

Hey!

Hey!

Ho!

Ho!

Hey! Hey!

Ho! Ho!

Baby, it's all right . . . .

From my childhood, I remember "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens. All of the voices together were wonderful.

Elvis Presley had great backup singers - male and female. One of my favorite gospel songs is Elvis's rendition of "How Great Thou Art".

Would Kate Pierson count as backup singer in REM's Shiny Happy People? All she does is repeat (parts of) Stipe's lines.

Those two back up singers for Every Time I Think of You were some bad ass chicks.

The posters who mentioned Culture Club and Helen Terry kept referring to Church Of The Poison Mind, but her backing vocals in Victims stole the show.

Afrocelt Sound System w Peter Gabriel "When You're Falling".

Did you write the book of love? Ego envy lust.

R162 That is so weird that you posted that, I was scrolling to the end of the thread and just about to post a Paul Young song!

R141, yes I was joking. Seeing the name just stood out for me, but I'm glad I could make you smile.

This is a great performance. Deniece Williams on backup bringing it.

80s British backup tarts were one of a kind, R163, and Paul, Maz and Kim were phenomenal.

In a similar vein, Jo and Sue were so good they became primary singers on the rest of Human League's discography, but I always loved the simplicity of this.

With Sir Elton on backup.

Tessa Niles is the Queen of 80's Brit Pop background vocalists: Duran Duran, ABC, Pet Shop Boys, Frankie, The Art of Noise, Eric Clapton, Bowie, etc.

Joe Cocker - "With a Little Help from My Friends"

Glen Frey on this one

I can't imagine how a backup singer could "make" a song, well not any of mine anyway

Diana Ross is the reason Diane Ross became a superstar. Flo Ballard was no Jennifer Holliday or Hudson. She was never going to be some great solo star. She sang good backup, had great exposure and good friends but that wasn't enough. She fucked up again and again. I doubt there were any performers in the Motown stable that couldn't sing a soulful background harmony or vocal flourish. They were treated as interchangeable before they were stars. As the records state. It's 50 years later and Diana Ross is still a star. Her voice is the one that shone.

The Special AKA - Nelson Mandela

Simple Minds - All The Things She Said (Robin Clark)

Shut yo mouth! Nobody's mentioned Isaac Hayes and the theme to "Shaft!' yet?

Michael McDonald elevates Robbie Dupree' "Got Rod Hearts" as well.

Barbra Streisand - The Woman In The Moon (The Oreos)

"Someday We'll Be Together" by Diana Ross & The Supremes--where the background singers are Motown Records' in-studio backups the Water sisters, and not the actual Supremes.

r166, they were lovers during the time they recorded Bad Blood.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross and THE SUPREMES

I was personally never a fan of this song, but it's arguably the most iconic meeting OP's standard. It's played to death in movies, tv episodes, commercials. I truly think it's the most famous example.

The Supremes didn't sing on Ain't No Mountain High Enough R178. That was from Ross's first solo album. The Supremes didn't even sing on Diana Ross & The Supremes final #1 hit! Ashford and Simpson wrote and sang backup vocals on the song you posted. Here is DR at her starry best, proving she could sing that song LIVE with a full orchestra. There was never a doubt.

Mellencamp Paper in Fire. Allman Bros Crazy Love

State rests

I love backup singers because they add harmony and texture to the sound. It's part of the reason I can't get into Adele. She records her own backup vocals and it sounds weirdly thin because her vowel sounds are so distinct and howlish.

A great song and a recent best example of backup singers doing fine work.

River, by Leon Bridges.

Cissy Houston being a nasty cunt aside, she had an enormous voice. Perfectly suited for adding exquisite Uhs and Ahs, but not for interpreting a song. That's where Whitney was her master.

Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - Back Together Again

Bette Midler Live singing "Paradise" . She had bronchitis and the Harlettes haul ass, carrying the song with tight harmonies.

They actually work in the vowel sequence "a e i o u" into their vocals at 3:22

"Stay With Me" Bette had bronchitis and the Harlettes sell the song.

I Wanna Know What Love Is: Foreigner...

Jennifer Holliday, right?

Yes r189...her and a superb gospel choir.

Lots of great ones already mentioned.

I'd also add Seals & Croft's "Get Closer" with Carolyn Willis of Honey Coney. She makes that record, imo.

Us and Them, by Pink Floyd.

Blue Swede - Hooked On A Feeling

The Webb Sisters and Leonard Cohen

The original version of ‘Superstar’ ( called Groupie (Superstar)) by Delaney& Bonnie.

Deliciously bizarre. I love Dolly but her skirt is not doing spiritual work here in front of all these wonderful mens.

How 'Bout Us

Champagne

After The Fire is Gone- a duet with Willie Nelson and Tracy Nelson with Linda Ronstadt coming in on the last chorus and blowing them away!

OT: Ugh, with that caterwauling by screechy Diana Ross (Blow your nose!) killing "Ain't No Mountain.." Give me Tammi Terrell any fucking day of the week. Her harmony on "You're All I Need.." is absolute perfection.

Sting - We’ll Be Together

(Recognise the choreography from another video?)

[quote]After The Fire is Gone- a duet with Willie Nelson and Tracy Nelson with Linda Ronstadt coming in on the last chorus and blowing them away!

If you hadn't mentioned her, I would never have recognized Linda.

How about when the backup singer just takes over the song?

This is supposed to be Samantha Sang's single but it was written by Barry and Robin Gibb. They backed up her but you hear more of them in the mix than Sang.

The Youtube comments are comedy gold.

Emotion is taken over by the Bee Gees that song though just happens to be one of my all time favorites.

Aretha Franklin - Ever Changing Times ft. Michael McDonald

Of course it's been mentioned, but Gimme Shelter. Those high notes she hit are nothing like I'd heard before or since. Too bad she didn't have a successful solo career, such a beautiful rock voice.

She = Merry Clayton

I love so much of Bob Dylan's late 70s/80s work because of the background singers.

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Everyday I Write The Book (Claudia Fontaine)

Elton John on John Lennon's "Whatever Gets You Through he Night".

George Michael on Elton's "Nikita"

Wow, interesting story about Merry Clayton doing the Gimme Shelter backup. They decided to add a female vocal to it, in the late evening in the studio, called around, couldn't find anyone to do it. Finally called Merry at nearly midnight while she was in bed, and she agreed to come in. She was pregnant and had to sit on a stool. Did it in a couple takes and left, and shortly after, had a miscarriage! The intensity of the recording session caused it, poor woman. Of course she couldn't listen to the song for many years.

Sorry, but R127 wins.

Dave Stewart really was the Daryl Dragon of the MTV era. No?

Jill Sobule, "Truth Is You Lied"

Simple Minds' "Alive and Kicking".

Towiu The only way is up!

^^ Robin Clark was the awesome back up singer for Simple Minds...also sang on Bowie's 'Young Americans album...wonderful voice and presence.

R214, please review the thread before posting.

Thanks Robin214

Clydie King (RIP)

Bob Dylan and Clydie King

Queen Bee (THE OREOS)

I love the back up singers the Carpenters used

^^When I saw this thread resurrected I figured it was to pay tribute to Clydie King. She was even more unsung than Darlene Love and sang on just as many classic songs like Tumbling Dice, Sweet Home Alabama, You're no good, You make me feel like dancing, Deacon blue and many others.

Barbara Streisand - Everything (Clydie King) RIP

Olivia Newton-John for "Fly Away" and Sheena Easton "You Got The Look."

Stevie Nicks "Whenever I Call You Friend,"(not credited at the time / See below)

r225 See link

Whoever sang backup on:

Love the one your with by Stephen Stills

Spirit in the sky by Norman Greenbaum

It never rains in Southern California by Albert Hammond

Rock me gently by Andy Kim

C'est la vie by Robbie Neville

9to5 by Dolly

R222: Karen and Richard did all the backing vocals

Any Culture Club recording with Helen Terry's beautiful creamy voice. She was a big part of their success and they should've made her the 5th member of the group.

R229: Maybe that's why she left? And I read somewhere that Helen was one of the "colored girls" on Lou Reeds Walk on the wild side.

Stevie Nicks on Walter Egan's Magnet and Steel. Gorgeous pop tune and she takes it up up and away.

"With a Little Help from My Friends" - Joe Cocker (Woodstock Festival)

Step by Step by Whitney Houston. Now, don't go shrieky on me...but her backing vocals are being done by none other than bona-fide gay icon Annie Lennox. If you're familiar with Annie, you'll recognise her vocals instantly. It was originally released as the b-side to Lennox's own song "Precious". It's a beautiful song, even without Whitney's vocal histrionics...

r330, no Boy George just decided to dump her for their shitty 3rd album, wanting to change their sound. Maybe he also didn't like that CC was being considered a double lead vocal band, and Helen was being praised alongside him. He said she didn't get mad about being asked to leave, but I read Boy accused her of getting him hooked on drugs in his first book and Helen furiously denied it. The band did help her release a solo album in 1986, but it didn't sell, and by the end up the decade she'd retired from singing. Being unattractive and overweight, she just wasn't going to make it solo.

they may have been too much a part of the song but the Hawkins Singers on Melanie's Lay Down. One of the all time great pop-rock songs.

Young Americans David Bowie Luther vandros helped with the arrangement

Diana Ross' version of the HDH classic "Reach Out I'll Be There." The background vocalists set it on fire.

That's The Way It Is - Celine Dion.

Lay Down Sally - Eric Clapton

Breathe - Faith Hill

I hate the trend of Adele etc recording their own backup vocals. It lacks texture.

The backup singers on Aretha Franklin's "Say A Little Prayer" carry the song. Aretha must have been bored with the song because she doesn't do any of the heavy lifting.

The late Clydie King is one of the backing singers here. Can anyone name the others?

[Quote] I read Boy accused her of getting him hooked on drugs in his first book and Helen furiously denied it.

No. She was pissed that he outed her own drug use.

R239: I think Aretha wanted her version to sound as different from Dionne's as possible since her's was out only months earlier. The Sweet Inspirations probably sang on both versions.

R240; Clydie usually sang with Venetta Fields and Shirley Mathews as the Blackberries. This is woth Steve Marriot and Humble Pie.

Sinéad O'Connor singing back up on Peter Gabriel's The Blood of Eden

Carol King singing back up on Carly Simon's Attitude Dancing

Any Gladys Knight & the Pips song. (Would she have been as popular Pip-less?)

Enya’s entire catalogue.

Mentioned upthread were Michael’s Man In The Mirror, Madonna’s Like A Prayer & Rick’s Cry For Help. They all had The Andrae Crouch Choir to back them. Amazing when you think they were all able to add a gospel flavor to songs from entirely different genres,

This BBC recording of Brenton Wood’s “Gimme Little Sign”.

Linda Ronstadt backing Arlo Guthrie on the Stones' Connection.

[quote]I think Aretha wanted her version to sound as different from Dionne's as possible

Well, it sounds more like Aretha is singing in between bites of a meatloaf sandwich.

R249 your so funny and original

That fat girl belting it out on "Church of the Poison Mind."

Pink Floyd - Keep Talking

In the Talking Heads Stop Making Sense, Lynn Mabry and Edna Holt were more than back up singers, they were onstage foils for David Byrne.

The Bee Gees on Samantha Sang's "Emotion". Actually it sounds like the Bee Gees do more singing than Sang.

Samantha Sang was basically an Antipodean Cilla Black - she of the two voices - so it was probably for the best that Barry made Sang a bit player on her own hit.

There were rumors back then that Samantha was trans.

Must bump.

Bump again -

Eagles back up

Listening to this song now, you can clearly hear Cher on the low notes