In the 1969 Bob Dylan album, "Nashville Skyline," Dylan performed a song that was one of the most unusual, poorly conceived duets I had ever heard. The song was "Girl of the North Country" and the other voice was...Johnny Cash. I liked them both but, along with millions of other fans, I just couldn't handle that pairing trying to vocalize an otherwise lovely tune.Of course, worse duet matchings were to come in following years. A few of the most terrible -- Bing Crosby and David Bowie; Frank Sinatra and Bono; Tammy Wynette and Elton John; Tony Bennett and the Dixie Chicks.
But, in the world of what passes for popular entertainment nowadays, no low is ever safe from having someone go even lower.
And thus we have the new song, "Your Kisses Are Charity" featuring Dolly Parton and Boy George.
Here's the story from Yahoo Music:
Dolly Parton recently recorded a duet with pop singer Boy George called "Your Kisses Are Charity." According to Parton, the song is a dance mix that was co-written by Boy George.
"He just sent this song to me a few months ago," Parton tells LAUNCH. "People are always asking me to sing on things, and I usually say, 'No,' if I feel like I can't compliment it or if it's just a song that I think is not a great song. I just don't want to be part of something that I don't think I could compliment. But [this] song is so good, and they even used a lot of country instruments on it. I know it had mandolin and fiddle, and so when they sent it, it was in a perfect key for me. I could sing harmony on it or I could sing the melody. So they came over, and I sang on it, and it was a good blend of voices. It was just fun to do."
The song was released as a single in Europe, and might also be released in the United States sometime next spring. Parton and Boy George recently performed "Your Kisses Are Charity" on a popular European show, where Parton says she felt a bit underdressed compared to the ever-eccentric Boy George. "Well, he outdid me on the makeup," she says. "In fact, I flew over to England a few weeks ago and did this show called The Lottery, which is one of their big shows there. When we were rehearsing, he was dressed more like a boy. When it was time for the show, I didn't see him when we were dressing and he came out and his hair was bigger than mine! He had the big rhinestone necklace and big earrings, and I kind of got jealous cause he'd outdressed me. I wished I'd have known cause I had some gaudier stuff as well...But I love his makeup. I love the way he does his eyes...and he loves the way I do mine."
And, if you're brave enough to take it, here's a video of the two performing the song in London.
Kenny Rogers, where are you when we need you?