Song Collaborations

It is a common practice among musicians to collaborate on songs. Sometimes these collaborative works become huge hits and along the way long-lasting friendships are made. Take Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield for example. These two men were once neighbors and as teenagers, developed a friendship that turned into a songwriting partnership. In the early 70s, after 20 years of co-writing, the two parted ways. They did however worked on songs occasionally afterward. The end of their team-up inspired the writing of "Our Last Song Together." The Sedaka/Greenfield partnership produced several hits including "Stupid Cupid." In 1986, Greenfield passed away and in honor of him, Sedaka released the album My Friend which contains the most known songs they wrote together. Let's take a look at other collaborative works by musicians, singers and songwriters:

Fats Waller collaborated with lyricist Andy Razaf for the Broadway shows "Keep Shufflin'," "Hot Chocolates" and "Load of Coal." Aside from lyricist Andy Razaf, he also collaborated with Clarence Williams, George Marion Jr. and Stanley Adams.

Brian Eno has collaborated with various artists over the course of his career, including David Bowie and U2.

Bessie Smith collaborated with several jazz legends such as blues composer W.C. Hardy and jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong.

Dinah Washington collaborated with other artists and bands, most notably with Clifford Brown, Cannonball Adderley and duets with Brook Benton.

Norah Jones collaborated with Wyclef Jean on the song "Any Other Day."

Peggy Lee collaborated with other notable artists like Quincy Jones, Cy Coleman and Duke Ellington.

In 1962, Neil Diamond collaborated with 9 other writers for the song "Ten Lonely Guys" recorded by Pat Boone. He wrote the song "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" which was first recorded by Barbra Streisand and then later recorded as a duet.

In 1992, Yo-Yo Ma worked with singer Bobby McFerrin on Hush.

Ella Fitzgearld worked with many music legends including Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman.

In B.B King's album Deuces Wild, which was released on November 6, 1997, Tracy Chapman recorded a duet with B.B. titled "The Thrill Is Gone."

Carole King and Gerry Goffin came out with their first hit in 1961 with the song "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," which was recorded by the Shirelles.

Joni Mitchell's 1979 album Mingus was a collaboration with jazz bassist Charles Mingus. Sadly, Mingus died before it was completed, leaving Joni to finish the project on her own.

Jerry Livingston co-wrote the theme for Casper the Friendly Ghost with Mack David.

James Taylor and Carly Simon recorded the duets "Mockingbird" and "Devoted to You" while they were still married.

The song "Easter Parade" was written in 1933 by Irving Berlin. It was included in a 1948 film of the same title starring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. Other vocalists also recorded this song, including a duet by Sarah Vaughan and Billy Eckstine.