Those who grew up in the 1990s are likely familiar with the cartoon Captain Planet and the Planeteers. The show was built around a group of kids who all had the powers of the elements. And the famous tagline was, “With our powers combined …” Well, that idea of combining powers doesn’t just work on environmentally friendly cartoons. It works in the world of music, too.
Videos by American Songwriter
Here below, we wanted to explore three examples of that. A trio of duets that feature the big-voiced celebrity pop star Lady Gaga and three other big name artists. Indeed, these are three iconic Lady Gaga duets you have to hear to believe.
[RELATED: Behind the Album: Lady Gaga Breaks Down What Went Into ‘Chromatica’]
“Telephone” by Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé from The Fame Monster (2009)
It’s incredible the internet didn’t explode when this song came out. Featuring the two powerhouses Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, this song was released on Gaga’s 2009 album The Fame Monster. The sexy music video for the song is a veritable short film, which takes place in an all-female prison. It was originally written by Gaga for Britney Spears, who recorded it as a demo. But eventually Gaga took the song on for herself, and the most famous version includes the glamorous Beyoncé. On the track, Gaga sings about being busy with work and so she is unable to talk on the phone,
Hello, hello, baby, you called? I can’t hear a thing
I have got no service in the club, you say, say?
Wha-wha-what did you say?
Oh, you’re breaking up on me
Sorry, I cannot hear you, I’m kinda busy
K-kinda busy, k-kinda busy
Sorry, I cannot hear you, I’m kinda busy
Just a second, it’s my favorite song they’re gonna play
And I cannot text you with a drink in my hand, eh
You shoulda made some plans with me, you knew that I was free
And now you won’t stop calling me, I’m kinda busy
“The Lady Is a Tramp” by Tony Bennett featuring Lady Gaga from Duets II: The Great Performances (2011)
We go from the pop sensational to the classic. Here, Gaga teams up with iconic lounge singer Tony Bennett for a rendition of the timeless song “The Lady is a Tramp.” Recorded for Bennett’s 2011 duets album, the two sensational singers dance and play on the lyrics and interact like long-lost crushes reuniting for the song. On the tune, they sing,
[Tony Bennett:]
She gets too hungry for dinner at 8
[Lady Gaga:]
(I’m starving)
[Tony Bennett:]
She loves the theater but she never comes late
[Lady Gaga:]
I never bother with people that I hate
That’s why this chick is a tramp
“Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars (Single, 2024)
A smooth-sounding song that leans into the vocal prowess of singers Bruno Mars and Gaga, this standalone single released earlier this year is epic and powerful. A love song of devotion, Mars sings about just wanting to be with the object of his affection as the world ends. And Gaga comes in like a flame, saying similar sweet words about her lover. Indeed, on the track the two icons sing,
I, I just woke up from a dream
Where you and I had to say goodbye
And I don’t know what it all means
But since I survived, I realized
Wherever you go, that’s where I’ll follow
Nobody’s promised tomorrow
So I’ma love you every night like it’s the last night
Like it’s the last night
If the world was ending
I’d wanna be next to you
If the party was over
And our time on Earth was through
I’d wanna hold you just for a while
And die with a smile
If the world was ending
I’d wanna be next to you
Photo by J Mayer/Shutterstock
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.