THROWBACK GAMES: Synchronized Singing of the ’80s

Our Throwback Games competition tonight is… Synchronized Singing of the ’80s!

Much like synchronized swimming in the Summer Games, it’s essential that for a song to succeed, the two singers need to be in time with one another, in perfect rhythm, and in harmony.

We think we’ve picked some of the best duets of the 1980s… see if you agree!

#3 “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” by George Michael and Aretha Franklin

This 1987 song reached No. 1 in the U.S., was Franklin’s biggest single on the Billboard charts, and also earned a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. Michael was approached to write a song for Franklin, but thought he wasn’t good enough. He was wrong.

#2 “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes

This song was featured in the 1982 film “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Cocker and Warnes won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, and the song also won an Oscar for Best Original Song.

#1 “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

Warnes does it again! This song was in the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing” and also won the Oscar for Best Original Song and the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. A number of other artists turned the song down, including Daryl Hall and Kim Carnes. In fact, Bill Medley also turned the song down at first, due to the impending birth of his daughter. Warnes was brought on board, and offered it to Medley again, after his daughter was born, and this time he accepted.