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?”

Playlist

The Appeal of Male Western Music Duos: Recommended Classics and Popular Songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	The Sound of SilenceSimon&Garfunkel		Signature songs of Simon & Garfunkel
2	ClassicMKTO		MKTO is a pop duo. They transitioned from acting.
3	Everybody Wants To Rule The WorldTears for Fears		Signature songs of Tears for Fears
4	Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!		Wham!’s signature song became a global hit
5	Stressed Outtwenty one pilots		Introducing Twenty One Pilots’ smash hit
6	Always On My MindPet Shop Boys		Pet Shop Boys cover an Elvis song in synth-pop
7	Lonely BoyThe Black Keys		"Lonely Boy" by The Black Keys
8	One More TimeDaft Punk		Introduction to Daft Punk’s signature songs
9	I Ain’t No JokeEric B. & Rakim		Introducing Eric B. & Rakim’s masterpiece track
10	Block Rockin’ BeatsThe Chemical Brothers		The Chemical Brothers’ signature big beat track
11	Shout To The TopThe Style Council		A band formed in 1982 by Paul Weller and Mick Talbot
12	Do It AgainSteely Dan		Introduce Steely Dan’s song “Do It Again.”
13	I Go to PiecesPeter & Gordon		Peter & Gordon's heartbreak song becomes a big hit
14	Ghost RiderSuicide		Suicide’s experimental synth rock track
15	Little MonsterRoyal Blood		Royal Blood conquered the UK charts with their thunderous rock.
16	Hold On, I’m ComingSam & Dave		Many artists have covered Sam & Dave’s signature songs.
17	Bye Bye LoveThe Everly Brothers		The Everly Brothers are a representative country rock duo.
18	Romantic RightsDeath from Above 1979		The guitarless rock band of Death From Above 1979
19	Ms. JacksonOutKast		Outcast, establishing a unique sound through multi-genre fusion
20	Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates		Hall & Oates’s signature song “Private Eyes”
21	I Knew I Loved YouSavage Garden		Savage Garden released a major hit song in the United States.
22	Sowing the Seeds of LoveTears for Fears		A British electropop band with a distinctive sound
23	Summer BreezeSeals&Crofts		Seals & Crofts' signature song from 1972
24	The BorderAmerica		Formed in 1970: The History of the Duo Band America
25	I’m gonna be (500 miles)The Proclaimers		Scottish twin brother band
26	King Of Wishful ThinkingGo West		Go West’s signature song, King of Wishful Thinking
27	A Summer SongChad&Jeremy		Chad & Jeremy originated in the UK and were popular in the United States.
28	You Need A HeroPages		The duo band of Richard Page and Steve George
29	After The Love Is GoneAIRPLAY		Airplay's duo was released in 1980
30	Move your feetJunior Senior		Danish hip-hop duo hits No. 3 in the U.S.
31	Tomorrow’s PeopleMcDonald and Giles		The only album by McDonald and Giles is regarded as a masterpiece.
32	I Hear You NowJon & Vangelis		Introduction to Jon and Vangelis
33	Won’t Give InThe Finn Brothers		Songs by The Finn Brothers
34	You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’The Righteous Brothers		The Righteous Brothers’ signature song hit No. 1 in the U.S.
35	Don’t Trust Me3OH!3		U.S. electronic duo produces hit songs
36	SuckerJonas Brothers		Expressing the depth of love with a refreshing song
37	Can’t Hold UsMacklemore & Ryan Lewis		Macklemore’s iconic song that believes in challenges and dreams
38	Tryin’ To Kill A Saturday NightKeane		Keane is a junior counterpart band to TOTO.
39	(Can’t Live Without Your) Love And AffectionNelson		The Success Story of the Nelson Brothers’ Country Duo Band
40	She Was Born To Be My UnicornTyrannosaurus Rex		The history of T. Rex, a leading glam rock band
41	Chains of LoveErasure		Erasure’s signature song, “Chains of Love”
42	The Little Old Lady From PasadenaJan & Dean		Famous Songs by Jan & Dean and Their Influence on Japan