Great duets are hard to come by, so finding duets appropriate for karaoke is a bit of a challenge. But worry no more. Here's the definitive list of the best duet karaoke songs. They're not all gross love songs either, keep reading and you'll discover that duets can also be about hate.
The Best Duet Karaoke Songs...
Ain't no Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Probably one of the memorable and generally best songs ever written and it also happens to be a duet. The song's success inspired a series of duets from the duo, including "You're All I Need to Get By."
Islands in the Stream - Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers
Written by the BeeGees but sung by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers. It was originally written for Marvin Gaye, who we can only assume would have sung it with Tammi Terrell. It started Parton and Rodgers on series of duets, including a Christmas Album. Watch out for the key change.
Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
This may be the typical romantic duet. Perfect if you're about to propose in your favorite karaoke bar. Which probably happens all the time. If you've ever proposed using karaoke, please get in touch, we'd love to hear about it.
Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
"Love lifts us up where we belong, where eagles cry on a mountain high" - The cheesiest lyrics in recorded history.
As - George Michael & Mary J Blige
An existential love song originally by Stevie Wonder but reworked as a duet.
You're the One that I Want - Grease
Signifying Olivia Newton John's transition from a teacher's pet to a bad-girl, and John Travolta's transition from a human being to a duck.
(I've had) The Time Of My Life - Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley
From the hit motion picture Dirty Dancing and now from that night you drank too much and got hospitalized trying to recreate the famous Patrick Swayze lift.
500 Miles (I'm gonna be) - The Proclaimers
Duets aren't strictly for lovers. They can also be for identical twins. This one is also featured on our list of easy karaoke songs because it's pretty difficult to get it wrong.
Somethin' Stupid - Frank & Nancy Sinatra
Continuing with our theme of family duets. Here are a father and daughter singing a song about spending the night together. A more (or less?) innocent time.
I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher
It's not 'Groundhog Day', you've just got a really repetitive lifestyle and deep love for Sonny and Cher. Many people blame the movie for ruining this song. It's hard to hear it without imaging the nightmare of waking up to the same day over and over again. But of course, that's what love is. Sing this with your partner of 50 years and watch the crowd wiping tears from their eyes.
Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee
The only time you'll ever be permitted to wear sunglasses indoors. (Unless you're blind.)
I wanna be like you - King Louis and Baloo the Bear
Some of the greatest duets of all time surpass even the barriers between species. One of the great examples being this extract from the 1967 nature documentary, The Jungle Book.
The Boy is Mine - Brandy & Monica
Sometimes duets are also about women arguing about a man...
The Girl is Mine - Michael Jackson ft. Paul McCartney
...and sometimes duets are about men arguing about a woman.
Ebony & Ivory - Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney
This list would not be complete without this saccharine sweet song of racial harmony. Banned in Apartheid-Era South Africa, Named the worst duet in history by BBC Music Listeners, and the tenth worst song of all time by Blender Magazine. Yet also receiving the academy award for best original song.
Say Say Say by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
Hang on a minute, it's only another song from Paul and Michael. They're big fans of the medium.
Dilemma - Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland
There's room for a third person to say 'Ah' in the background of this one.
If you think we've missed out one of the best duet karaoke songs, let us know in the comments.