The 5 Most Romantic Duets Of The '70s

Romance was at a noticeable height in the music of the '70s, which, above all, prioritized genuineness and fresh sounds that made the decade's music so exceptional. It was in the commercial rock 'n' roll that took over the charts, the contemplative folk rock that broke sonic barriers, and the pop songs we're still singing today. Duets in particular were in full swing throughout the decade, and in this list, we'll feature five such songs that used the multi-singer format to the best of their ability when it came to capturing undying love.

Though there are plenty of songs that do an exceptional job, the five we're covering here separate themselves with a magical quality in the performances of their two singers: Their vocal styles may differ, and one singer may even take on a higher burden than the other, but the parts come together in a perfect representation of real, gritty romance. The emotion itself simply cannot be captured as nuanced and moving in a solo performance, as much as we may love songs from uber-talented artists who long and yearn for a lover. We'll hear from some legendary singers like Roberta Flack, as well as some established '70s duos like Peaches & Herb. With each combination, these five duets make romance feel as alive as ever.

This country-pop duo released an entire duet album under this single's name, but it's indeed the title track that stands atop the bunch as one of the '70s' best romantic duets. Kenny Rogers' tunes were staples of country music, and his work with singer Dottie West brought out many aspects of his music, including the flawed but passionate love in "Every Time Two Fools Collide." This opening track was a No. 1 country single in its own right, and the album reached No. 1 on Billboard's country albums chart in May of 1978, part of a historic year for Rogers.

"Every Time Two Fools Collide" is cinematic in its soundscape, setting the stage for a traditionally romantic moment — but the two singers' heartbreak and damage take center stage, though there is an unrelenting sweetness in every line. West and Rogers trade verses that detail the disagreements and issues of their love, but come together in the closing chorus that leaves the listener with a timeless romantic hope: "We can save our love / We still have the time / Oh, I know there must be a way / That we still haven't tried / To keep our hearts from breakin' / Every time two fools collide / To keep our hearts from breakin' / Every time two fools collide." Though it isn't among the most heralded of '70s duets, "Every Time Two Fools Collide" is for any yearning and aching listener.

This luscious ballad is one of the best slow songs of the '70s as a whole, and swells with a feeling like no other throughout its four-and-a-half-minute runtime. "The Closer I Get To You" showcases the immense talent of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway with an irresistible groove and melody that we can play over and over again. 

Fans in 1978 felt just about the same, as the song charted well, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May during a 20-week stint on the chart. The instrumental of the song, gorgeous and weightless, is almost instantly recognizable for '70s buffs, but it's the two vocalists who bring home the romantic core. "The Closer I Get To You" is opened by Flack before going back and forth with Hathaway, who trades lead vocals on alternating verses and bridges. 

Taking on a classic structure of need and desire, the pair delivers the emotion wholeheartedly: "The closer I get to you / The more you make me see / By giving me all you've got / Your love has captured me / Over and over again / I try to tell myself that we / Could never be more than friends / And all the while, inside, I knew it was real / The way you make me feel." It's a crisp and sensual track that packages many of the best sounds of the '70s, making it, without a doubt, one of the decade's premier duets.

This similarly sensual duet was the defining track of this '70s duo, who brought their all to this cinematic 1979 ballad. "Reunited" brings a bright and groovy atmosphere to the duet world and showcases the talent of Peaches & Herb more than any other track. The song soared to unbelievable heights on the '79 charts, cracking the No. 1 spot for four straight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in May as one of the biggest hits of the year. It's as danceable as it is emotionally moving, a combination that feels straight out of a romance movie.

"Reunited" tells the story of two lovers, expectedly, finding their way back to each other, culminating in the titular reunion: "You're my everything / Only you know how to free / All the love there is in me / I wanna let you know I won't let you go / I wanna let you know I won't let you go / Reunited / And it feels so good / Reunited / Cause we understood / There's one perfect fit / And, sugar, this one is it / We both are so excited 'cause we're / Reunited..." Peaches & Herb deliver this performance effortlessly, bringing their love to life with soulful vocals and a knack for harmony, leaving "Reunited" as a can't-miss duet of the '70s for those looking for serenading romance.

Though this song isn't exactly unheralded in the world of standout '70s duets, it's iconic for a reason and simply cannot be left out of this list. "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" finds renowned pop star Elton John and singing partner Kiki Dee at their most radio-friendly, and to great avail. The song is incredibly rousing, filled with energy that swells and fades, then swells again across its four-and-a-half-minute runtime. Unsurprisingly, it was a chart smash, holding the coveted Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 spot for four straight weeks during the late summer of 1976, amidst a 20-week chart stay.

The vocals of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" from John and Dee radiate a carefree romance, and with them, the song is designed to be catchy, repeating again and again the titular refrain which can become stuck in a listener's head after just a few moments, as well as some simple but cute back and forth lyrics: "Ooh, nobody knows it / But when I was down, I was your clown / Ooh, nobody knows it (Nobody knows it) / But right from the start, I gave you my heart / Oh, I gave you my heart / Don't go breaking my heart / I won't go breaking your heart / Don't go breaking my heart." The song is a mainstay of '70s pop, and there are few duets that compete with its catchiness and star power.

This mainstay of popular culture also isn't niche by any means, but it packs a memorably romantic punch, helped in part by the visuals it's inherently associated with. "You're the One That I Want" hails from the soundtrack of the 1978 film "Grease," where it represents an on-screen romance between Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta's characters. In addition to being an iconic scene from the film, the song was a chart-topping hit on its own, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in June of '78. Though the song wasn't originally in the musical, it was written for Newton-John and brought a further emphasis on young love to the film.

"You're the One That I Want" leans heavily on its musical-to-screen inspiration, and though Newton-John does the heavy lifting, it's made better by Travolta's pairing. The back and forth vocals of the duo capture the youthful flirting well: "I better shape up, 'cause you need a man / I need a man who can keep me satisfied (Who can keep me satisfied) / I better shape up if I'm gonna prove / You better prove that my faith is justified / Are you sure? / Yes, I'm sure down deep inside / You're the one that I want (You are the one I want) / Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey." It may not have the standalone strength of some other '70s love songs, but the song's inescapable romance is impossible not to hear.