10 of the best duos in the 80’s

Tuesday, 4 July 2023

By Martin Lefebvre

The 80’s had a lot of great duos, mostly coming from Europe. Strangely, this trend declined in the next decades, successful duos are very rare in the 2000s. Here are some of the greatest from the best decade in music.

 

Hall & Oates

This is the only American duo on the list, it’s also the only one having success before the 80’s started. The Daryl Hall and John Oates association was dominating the airwaves in the early part of the decade. Their blend of pop with blue-eyes soul was irresistible, that led to five number-one hits from 1980 to 1984. They remain one of the most successful artists of the 80’s, and are still somewhat underrated.

Hall & Oates hits:

  • Kiss on My List
  • Private Eyes
  • I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)
  • Maneater
  • Out of Touch

Eurythmics

The duo of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart was really influential in the development of the synth-pop sound of the early 80’s. The release of Sweet Dreams in 1983 was the start of it all, helped with the androgynous look of Lennox, perfect for the MTV era. Their three following albums (Touch, Be Yourself Tonight, and Revenge), released on back to back years, were massive successes. They left a legacy of great songwriting and versatility in style.

Eurythmics hits:

  • Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
  • Who’s That Girl?
  • Here Comes the Rain Again
  • Would I Lie to You?
  • There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)

Tears for Fears

Tears for Fears was formed in 1981 by childhood friends Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal. They started as a New Wave synth-pop band, but evolved to an adult, pop-rock, Beatles influenced band. They are both great musicians and vocalists, but it’s the songwriting and melodies that help them achieve success.

Tears for Fears hits:

  • Mad World
  • Change
  • Pale Shelter
  • Shout
  • Everybody Wants to Rule the World
  • Sowing the Seeds of Love

Wham!

Although the lifespan of Wham! was really short, four years and three albums, the impact was big. The duo of Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael became a world phenomenon with the release of their second album Make It Big in 1984. They had the sound, pop music influenced by the 50s and 60s icons, the looks, both young and attractive, and the angelic voice of Michael, who went to have a very successful solo career.

Wham! hits:

  • Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
  • Careless Whisper
  • Freedom
  • Everything She Wants
  • Last Christmas

Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, is one of the most successful duos coming from England. They classify as a synth-pop group, but their sound is hard to define. Singer Tennant has an unique voice, especially in West End Girls, where he alternates between singing and a spoken voice. That song remains a classic of the decade.

Pet Shop Boys hits:

  • West End Girls
  • Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)
  • It’s a Sin
  • What Have I Done to Deserve This?
  • Always on My Mind

Roxette

This Swedish duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle, became popular at the end of the 80’s. In fact, a few of their hits were released in the 90’s, mainly on the album Joyride from 1991. But it’s the album Look Sharp! (1988) that made them famous. Already a big hit in their homeland, it got some help from an American exchange student who brought the song The Look in an US radio station. The rest is history.

Roxette hits:

  • Dressed for Success
  • Listen to Your Heart
  • The Look
  • Dangerous
  • It Must Have Been Love

Yazoo

The duo Yazoo, known as Yaz in the US, was formed after keyboardist Vince Clarke left Depeche Mode and joined singer Alison Moyet. The combination of electronic music with soulful vocals proved to be successful. The song Situation became a worldwide dance hit in 1982, it was groundbreaking and influential for the rest of the decade. Unfortunately the duo only lasted for two albums, Moyet went on to have a successful solo career, while Clarke&hnbspellip;

Yazoo hits:

  • Only You
  • Don’t Go
  • Situation

Erasure

Here’s a familiar face, keyboardist Vince Clarke, now teaming up with singer Andy Bell to form the duo Erasure. This association would prove to be solid, the duo is still active today. And although their chart success is limited in the US, they were really popular in Europe. They were also really influential in the LGBT community, helped by signer Bell, an openly gay icon.

Erasure hits:

  • Sometimes
  • Chains of Love
  • A Little Respect

Modern Talking

Modern Talking was a German duo consisting of producer Dieter Bohlen and singer Thomas Anders. Although they didn’t have chart success in America, they were huge in Europe. They were a big part of the Europop style, following the legacy of ABBA. The high-pitched falsetto choruses are a trademark of this great duo.

Modern Talking hits:

  • You’re My Heart, You’re My Soul
  • Cheri, Cheri Lady
  • Brother Louie

Soft Cell

Soft Cell is a synth-pop duo formed by vocalist Mark Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. Even though they have twelve top 40 hits in the UK, they are widely considered as a one-hit-wonder in North America. Their cover of Gloria Jones Tainted Love is a classic from the early 80’s. They deserve to be on this list for the legacy of this song.

Soft Cell hits:

  • Tainted Love
  • Sex Dwarf

HONORABLE MENTIONS

I need to mention two bands, Air Supply and Wang Chung. These bands are worthy to be on this list but, even though they are currently known as duos, they were technically full bands with more than two members when they were popular.

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