The 5 Most Romantic Duets Of The '60s

Love was in the air in the 1960s, all the way from the Summer of Love in '67 to the many romantic and classic tunes that were recorded and released during this peak of popular music — but perhaps the best romance can be found within these five songs, where the artists serenade each other. Plenty of solo songs can capture similar feelings, whether it's a singer's personal, head-over-heels lyrics, their passionate delivery, or a timeless, cinematic backing track that puts a listener in their own romantic movie. But with two singers, the song can achieve different heights, and we'll show off five of the very best of this decade of music.

As with solo performances, romance is best achieved through a relatable quality that draws listeners into the song through their own experiences — often, the wider the net cast by the lyrics, the better. Specifics, as well as heartfelt performances, make the passion clear on the part of the singers, but these five songs find a universal appeal that made them popular upon their release, as well as today, which is all thanks to their excellence in romance. Headlining this list are classic songs from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, as well as Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, plus some other defining '60s anthems that are the most romantic duets of the decade.

The decade started impressively strong in 1960 with this ballad, which likely set the stage for the power of the duets to come for the rest of the decade and beyond. Dinah Washington and Brook Benton were forces to be reckoned with at the top of the charts during the late '50s and early '60s, and "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love)" is among the most romantic of their many recordings. The cinematic and sweet tune was a Hot 100 hit upon release, peaking at No. 7 in June of 1960 during a 13-week chart stint.

Through spoken word and singing alike, Washington and Benton achieve a palpable chemistry that feels just as if they were flirting, a mark of seasoned and talented performers. Through its slightly changing lyrics and catchy refrains, the song feels like a lovestruck smile as the pair carries on: "If you're gonna give me good kisses like that (What?) / Honey, don't you know I'm gonna give 'em right back (So give 'em here) / That's a kissin' good way ... Haha, now, that's a kissin' good way to mess around and fall in love (Don't mess around, don't mess around)." Washington and Benton are simply electric, and their electricity makes "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love)" one of the best, and perhaps most underrated, duets of the '60s.

There is no better place to start in the realm of '60s duets than this masterpiece of a song, which doubles its '60s gem status as one of the greatest duets of all time. Though Marvin Gaye's later solo career produced a number of excellent songs, his career almost ended with the tragic death of Tammi Terrell, who sang beside him on the unforgettable "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." The song's energy is electric, and though it wasn't a smash hit like listeners today may expect — peaking at No. 19 in the summer of '67 and spending 12 total weeks on the charts — the song has become a classic and a synonymous tune with the sound of the '60s.

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" first makes itself stick in the generational vocal performances from Gaye and Terrell, who serenade like no other. Performances aside, the lyrics themselves are as romantic as can be, with the pair expressing a dramatic and undying love through the song's central metaphor: "Ain't no mountain high, ain't no valley low / Ain't no river wide enough, baby / If you need me, call me, no matter where you are / No matter how far, don't worry, baby / Just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry / You don't have to worry, 'cause, baby, there / Ain't no mountain high enough." It's an era-defining song for a reason, and set the standard for romantic duets for years to come.

Though this song is a bit of an unorthodox duet, this storied musical duo achieves an especially romantic effect on this 1961 hit. Ike and Tina Turner churned out a number of hits, but "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" is among the most filled with romance and shows off the couple's charm and chemistry as a duo. Utilizing standout vocals and harmonies that made it a predictable hit, the song peaked at No. 14 in September of '61, and spent 15 weeks on the charts.

Tina Turner, whose vocals can make an excellent song by themselves, takes on the vast majority of the performing responsibility, but the spoken entrances from Ike give the song a back-and-forth feel that noticeably enhances the song's romance: "Darling (Yes, Tina) It's time to get next to me / (Honey that was my plan from the very beginning) / Darling (Uh huh?) I never thought that this could be / (What you mean?) Oh yeah / Your lips set my soul on fire / You could be my one desire / Oh darling (yes yes) I think it's gonna work out fine." The groovy and soulful blend of "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" brings the '60s to life on every listen, and the real-life romance of the Turners makes the song all the sweeter.

Duets were in the air in the '60s, but this special song outperformed them all thanks to its upbeat and all-in romance. "I Got You Babe" was the defining song of Sonny and Cher and was their first major hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks during the summer of '65 and spending 14 weeks on the chart. It wasn't just a No. 1, though its pop appeal does speak to its quality. It's a truly passionate and heartfelt performance of '60s love and the spark between the duo themselves. In message, "I Got You Babe" has a clear symmetry with the Summer of Love, turning the carefree and soul-focused romantic spirit into an anthem for the decade's young lovers.

Lyrically, Sonny and Cher embody the down-on-their-luck but deeply in love youth that put all else aside for their affections: "They say our love won't pay the rent / Before it's earned, our money's all been spent / I guess that's so, we don't have a pot / But at least I'm sure of all the things we got / Babe / I got you babe, I got you, babe." These simple verses are followed by the titular anthemic repetitions that define the song, which are delivered just as needed by the duo's back-and-forth and harmonized vocals. "I Got You Babe" is a feel-good hit, and certainly one of the best pop songs of the '60s.

Johnny Cash and his wife, June Carter Cash, were one of the '60s and beyond's best musical marriage duos, and their cover of this early '60s tune now stands as the song's definitive version. "Jackson" was originally recorded and released by the Kingston Trio in 1963, but Johnny and June gave it their all in 1967, when it became a successful country hit, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country chart in May and holding a spot for 17 weeks. The fast-paced and twangy tune feels lively and fun, as the duo clearly sings with smiles on their faces, even noticeably laughing during the final recording.

"Jackson" follows a married couple whose initial passion has faded, with the husband threatening to pursue other women and the wife confidently predicting his humiliation — a story which Johnny and June bring vivid life to with their complementary voices. It's a funny and lighthearted song, and it tells its story with a simple and mostly linear narrative. "We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout / We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson ever since the fire went out / I'm going to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around / Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson / Look out, Jackson town." Their passion, even through a fictitious story, can be felt through the cheerful tune, making "Jackson" a clear frontrunner for the most romantic duet of the decade.