This 1982 No. 1 Duet Brought Together Two Music Legends From Different Worlds

Power pairings in the pop world, like the combination of Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, don't happen every day, and it usually sets off sparks when they do. It's no surprise that such a dynamic duo recorded the uber-hit "Ebony and Ivory," a mid-tempo plea for racial understanding using a clever piano-key metaphor to soften the message that went to No. 1 on May 15, 1982. After spending the '60s and '70s in two very different musical worlds, how would the combined star power and refined talent of a McCartney-Wonder duet blend their respective styles into a singular sound that captivated both followings?

At the time, both McCartney and Wonder were global sensations in the prime of their careers, with fan bases eager to hear what new sounds they had to offer for the budding decade. The soft rock era was full of successful pop duets from noteworthy artists of the time, with genre mates like Lionel Richie and Diana Ross crooning together on the chart-topping "Endless Love," and Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond blending their dulcet tones on their hit combo "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." Having one of the world's foremost rockers like McCartney and R&B legend Wonder connect in the studio, though? That was a mash-up that blew minds and won hearts ... though not everyone was enamored of the finished product.

The project came together at McCartney's prompting; his admiration for Wonder was so deep that it inspired the ex-Beatle to include the note "We Love You, Baby" embossed in braille letters on the back cover of Wings' "Red Rose Speedway" album, added expressly for Wonder's sake. McCartney had demoed an early version back in 1980, crafting a message of harmony both musical and racial. He enlisted Motown hitmaker Wonder to join him on vocals for the historic joint project. The message was a simple one: "And we learn to live, we learn to give each other / What we need to survive together alive." It was simple and straightforward, with an easily recognized musical image that spoke to both artists' affection for the keyboard.

In addition to taking the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a sizzling seven-week run, "Ebony and Ivory" also won an Ivor Novello award for songwriting excellence. But it also set off a bit of contention between those who thought it was one of the worst duets ever recorded and those who consider it a known-by-heart classic of the era. The social impact was questioned by many, too, with the song being called out for being an overly simplified take on complex cultural dynamics. As far as its musical success, though? It's hard to argue with seven weeks at the top of the charts.