Song title: Don't Give Up
Artist: Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush
Year: 1986
Why I like this song:
What can I say about this one? It's expertly crafted as a duet, with all lines arranged in a conversational manner. And you can't deny the comforting power in Kate's lines. And this has certainly been a helpful song to have around in difficult times of my life - and I can imagine, for a lot of other people too.
Song title: Walk This Way
Artist: Run DMC with Aerosmith
Originally Done By: Aerosmith
Year: 1986
Why I like this song:
There's not much I can say about this song that hasn't already been said. It's the merging of two completely different worlds and proof that it can work a charm (as wonderfully illustrated by the music video). And it rocks hard too.
I recently heard an argument that the true takeaway from the success of this song is the strategy of veteran/washed-up artists teaming up with some up-and-comer can lead to a second wind. Indeed, in the years to come we would see Tammy Wynette join forces with the KLF, Santana collaborate with Rob Thomas, Billy Ray Cyrus help out Lil Nas X, and Kate Bush team up with the producers of Stranger Things. It's plausible but then again nothing breeds wrong answers quite like success XD