Through the years country musicians have givien us some of the most memorable romantic duets of all time. And as the Country Music Awards celebrated it's golden anniversary on November 2, here's a look at a few all time favorite country duets that get you in the mood for love
Meet me in Montana
Written by Paul Davis and sung by Dan Seals and Marie Osmond, this 1985 tune about two lovers who go their seperate way to pursue their dreams only to return back to each other went on to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs that year and won the CMA best vocal duo. The track earned Seals his first No. 1 country song in 1985, and gave Osmond her second chart-topping single ” her first in nearly 12 years.
Islands in the stream
Kenny Rogers has done a lot of great duets with stars like Dottie West, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton Anne Murray etc. But one tune that really stood out from the rest was Islands in the stream with Dolly Parton which came out in 1983. The song which is named after an Ernest Hemmingway novel was initially written in R&B style for Marvin Gaye but was then changed for Rogers' album Eyes that see in the Dark. The tune went on to top the Billboard charts that year toppling Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart from the no 1 position. In fact "Islands in the Stream" was the only country song to achieve this feat until 2000, when Lonestar topped the chart with "Amazed."
It's your love
One of the most iconic country music couples today, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill first recorded It's your love back in 1998, which was the first of many memorable duets togthers. The song went on to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs and went on to pick up four ACM awards and one CMA award. The track also received two Grammy nominations.
God gave me you
Although Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert called it quits awhile ago, their songs continue to be some of the all time favorites. In fact Blake previously stated that Miranda was the reason he recorded the song as their relationship was at a low point at that time. I was flipping through stations and landed on a contemporary Christian station, and that song came on, and I almost had to pull the truck over. I felt like I was hearing that song at that moment for a reason,” he admitted, adding that the tune inspired him to propose to her. The song received a nomination for 54th Grammy Awards for Best Country Song.
The last thing on my mind
Although they released tons of duets, it was their first single release The Last Thing On My Mind which remains the most interesting for Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. The song was first sung by Tom Paxton in 1964 before Wagoner and Parton tackled it again as a duet. The tune made it to the top ten on the U.S. country music singles chart in December of that year.
Whiskey lullaby
This haunting track about a couple torn apart by alcohol and infidelity which was sung by Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley went on to win CMA’s Award for Song of the Year. The song was initially offered to the Dixie Chicks who put it on hold for awhile. However Brad happened to stumble on the tune and together with Alison worked some magic into it.
