David Bowie doesn’t need any supplementary help. He’s enough of a draw to hold the fort down on his songs alone. Nevertheless, he knew the benefits of collaboration. Find three of Bowie’s best duets, below.
[RELATED: 4 Artists Who Recorded Sequels to Their Own Songs, Including David Bowie and Harry Chapin]
Videos by American Songwriter
3 of the Best David Bowie Duets
1. “Dancing in the Street” with Mick Jagger
What’s better than two rock giants dancing without a care? It certainly has an infectious joy to it that’s hard to deny. Bowie’s collaboration with Mick Jagger, “Dancing in the Street,” is so bouyant, it’d be impossible to not have a smile creep onto your face while listening to it.
Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand-new beat
Summer’s here and the time is right
For dancing in the street
All we need is music, sweet music
There’ll be music everywhere
They’ll be swinging, swaying, records playing
Dancing in the street, oh
2. “Young Americans” with Cher
While appearing on The Cher Show in the mid-’70s, Bowie performed “Young Americans” alongside the show’s namesake. The original version of the song (sans Cher) is enticing enough, but add in the low-voiced diva and the song becomes even more of a hoot.
Scanning life through the picture window
She finds the slinky vagabond
He coughs as he passes her Ford Mustang
But Heaven forbid, she’ll take anything
3. “Under Pressure” with Queen
In terms of Bowie duets, it doesn’t get much more timeless than “Under Pressure.” Unarguably his most famous collaboration, Bowie stepped into the studio with Queen for this rock anthem. Bowie’s somewhat subdued voice paired perfectly with Freddie Mercury’s acrobatic vocals.
That’s the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watchin’ some good friends screamin’, “Let me out”
Pray tomorrow gets me higher
Pressure on people, people on streets
(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
More Features
-
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: (L-R) Trent Reznor and Boys Noize perform onstage during the World Premiere of Disney's Tron: Ares at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA on October 06, 2025. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Disney) -
UNITED STATES – JUNE 17: Photo of Jefferson Airplane at the Monterey Pop Festival (Photo by Paul Ryan/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John and American actor John Travolta as they appear in the Paramount film 'Grease', 1978. (Photo by Paramount Pictures/Fotos International/Getty Images) -
(L-R) Steve Harwell, Paul De Lisle, Greg Camp and Kevin Coleman of Smash Mouth on 8/30/97 in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 28: Kelsea Ballerini seen in West Village on July 28, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Aeon/GC Images) -
HOME IMPROVEMENT – "That's My Mama" – Airdate: December 5, 1995. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) ALAN JACKSON -
British rock band, Badfinger, filming a performance of 'Day After Day' to be used as an insert for the 'Top Of The Pops', music show, BBC Television Centre, London, 26th January 1972. It is unclear whether the segment was ever broadcast. Left to right: Mike Gibbins (1949 – 2005), Pete Ham (1947 – 1975), Tom Evans (1947 – 1983) and Joey Molland. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
Kyu Sakamoto. (1941-1985) Japanese singer, best known outside Japan for his international hit song "Ue o Muite Aruko" (known as "Sukiyaki" in English-speaking markets), which was sung in Japanese and sold over 13 million copies. It reached number one in the United States Billboard Hot 100 in June 1963, making Sakamoto the first Asian recording artist to have a number one song on the chart. (Photo by Sjöberg Bildbyrå/ullstein bild via Getty Images)