The Appeal of Male Western Music Duos: Recommended Classics and Popular Songs
What kind of music comes to mind when you hear “male duo”? You might instinctively think of vocal-centric styles like pop, folk, or soul.
Those duos are wonderful, of course, but precisely because a duo is the smallest group format, there are many pairs who play a wide range of music with a free, unconstrained sensibility.
In this article, using the theme of male duos as our guide, we’ll introduce a selection of classic Western tracks that cross genre boundaries—not just pop, but rock, techno, hip-hop, and more.
You might even discover, “Wait, that classic was by a male duo?”
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The Appeal of Male Western Music Duos: Recommended Masterpieces and Popular Songs (31–40)
SuckerJonas Brothers
This track stands out with its refreshing sound and captivating melody.
Released after the Jonas Brothers reunited for the first time in six years, the song centers on deep love and passion.
The lyrics, which highlight strong devotion and dependence on a partner, were inspired by each member’s real-life relationships.
Released in March 2019, it debuted at No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first U.S.
chart-topping single.
It’s a perfect pick-me-up for drives or when you’re out and about.
Can’t Hold UsMacklemore & Ryan Lewis
An energetic and uplifting track from the American hip-hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.
It’s infused with pride in their status as independent artists and love for their hometown of Seattle.
Featuring a euphoric, ceiling-shattering beat and powerful rap, the song conveys a strong determination to stay true to their style and keep pushing past limits.
Its grand music video, released in April 2013, also drew attention.
This is a recommended song for those unafraid to take on challenges and who believe in their potential.
Perfect for boosting your mood or motivation.
Tryin’ To Kill A Saturday NightKeane
Keane is a brother duo from the United States, formed by Tom Keane and John Keane.
They debuted with the catchphrase “TOTO’s younger brother band.” Tryin’ to Kill a Saturday Night is a song released in 1981.
It’s a rock track with a strong AOR flavor that received frequent airplay in Japan at the time.
(Can’t Live Without Your) Love And AffectionNelson
Nelson is a U.S.-based duo band consisting of twin brothers Gunnar and Matthew Nelson.
They are the biological sons of the famous country singer Ricky Nelson.
Their father died in a plane crash when they were in their mid-teens, which prompted the two to pursue music in earnest.
Their major debut single in 1990, “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection,” became an instant smash hit, reaching No.
1 on the U.S.
charts and giving them an exceptionally spectacular start for newcomers.
She Was Born To Be My UnicornTyrannosaurus Rex
T.
Rex is a band that epitomizes glam rock, famous for hit songs like “Metal Guru” and “20th Century Boy.” Before adopting the name T.
Rex, they were known as Tyrannosaurus Rex from their 1968 debut until the end of 1970.
The members during this period were Marc Bolan and Steve Took.
In their song “She Was Born To Be My Unicorn,” released during this era, electric guitar was not used.
The Appeal of Male Western Music Duos: Recommended Masterpieces and Popular Songs (41–50)
Chains of LoveErasure
Erasure is an electropop band from the United Kingdom.
The members are Vince Clarke and Andy Bell.
They are a band with broad support, especially across Europe and North America.
Chains of Love is a song released in 1988, and it became a hit in both the UK and the US.
The Little Old Lady From PasadenaJan & Dean
Jan & Dean were a duo consisting of high school friends Jan Berry and Dean Torrence.
They are famous for the song “Surf City.” “The Little Old Lady from Pasadena,” released in 1964, is also well-known.
This song is also known as the original source for the Japanese Group Sounds band The Spiders’ “Super Electric Grandma (Grandma from Hirosaki).”
In conclusion
The vocal duo, whose exquisite harmonies make the most of the differences in their vocal timbres, is captivating, and the sound created by a unit that, precisely because it’s a minimal duo, can ambitiously explore all kinds of possibilities without worrying about constraints, is also wonderful.
A song I had casually heard