THEME = duets: Elton John & Kiki Dee, Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

This edition features a pair of pop duos, 1 from 1976 & 1 from 1981….

#1
“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” was written by Elton John (“Ann Orson”) & Bernie Taupin (“Carte Blanche”). John was originally planning to record the song with Dusty Springfield, but she was too ill at the time. So, John recorded it with Kiki Dee, March 1976; it was subsequently released 06/21/1976 & claimed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Internationally, it topped charts in 9 other countries, while reaching the Top 10 in 7 more. For Dee, this was her only chart topper & 1st of 2 Top 10s, the other being another duet with Elton John, 1993’s “True Love”. John has also recorded duets with Aretha Franklin, George Michael & LeAnn Rimes.

#2
“Endless Love” was written by Lionel Richie & recorded with Diana Ross for the movie of the same name (starring Brooke Shields). Released 08/01/1981, this song claimed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (9 weeks) & Adult Contemporary charts; internationally, it topped charts in Australia & Canada, while reaching the Top 10 in Norway (#8), Sweden (#5), Switzerland (#6) & England (#7). 13 years later, Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey recorded this song & reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #11 on the Adult Contemporary charts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP7m5VqQ6f8