Sometimes, two artists cross paths and create the most incredible, jaw-dropping, angelic tracks ever—songs so sweet they will make your teeth fall out. Unfortunately, this article is not about them. This article is about the awkward collaborations between artists like Miss Piggy and Ozzy Osbourne, LFO and M.O.P and the Jonas Brothers and Common (yup, you read that correctly). Like orange juice and toothpaste, the following musical pairings simply don’t gel.
Just like these awkward musical pairings, TELUS Optik™ understands that some channels don’t mesh with each other either. That’s why their smaller, more relevant theme packs give you more of the channels you want and less of the ones you don’t. For fun, we joined forces with TELUS to bring you some of these cringe-worthy tunes, and to remind you that whether you’re combining artists or TV channels, awkward pairings rarely end in success.
Eddie Murphy ft. Michael Jackson “Whatzupwitu” (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9cQOcAC_K8
I think we can all agree that this was definitely not one of MJ’s best musical performances. Eddie Murphy however, might be able to claim this as the height of his musical career. The video features cartoon peace signs, hearts, music notes, and numbers floating around Murphy and MJ as they both dance among the clouds. Strange. And awkward - very, very awkward.
Miss Piggy and Ozzy Osbourne “Born to Be Wild” (1968)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVwVgY304bU
I totally understand wanting to collaborate with someone as famous as Miss Piggy, but Ozzy Osbourne dropped the ball on this one. And although I applaud the effort, the cheesy conversation at the beginning of the track, coupled with the horrible cover of Steppenwolf’s iconic Born to Be Wild, can’t be forgiven.
Jonas Brothers ft. Common “Don’t Charge Me for the Crime” (2009)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD2VX2foCVo
The thing about this pairing is that both the Jonas Brothers and Common fit into very distinct (and incredibly different) music genres, and they try to meet in the middle. The result is an unenthusiastic rock ballad that really doesn’t make any sense. The intended outcome, in my opinion, was for Common to connect a little more with the younger generation and for the Jonas Brothers to gain some street creed - I don’t think either worked out too well.
LFO ft. M.O.P “Life is Good” (2001)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFJHt7RJ0Vs
I legitimately did not believe this song existed. Your ears will burn after hearing the elementary lyrics combined with the awful rap verses sporadically placed through the track. One can only guess how such an awkward pairing occurred, and pray that it never happens again.
David Bowie and Bing Crosby “Little Drummer Boy / Peace on Earth”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus
You’d think that a collaboration between two of the great musicians of the time would produce an incredible track. Unfortunately, the act and the song itself comes off as corny half-hearted. It all makes sense when you learn that Davie Bowie originally refused to sing Little Drummer Boy, stating that it was “all wrong for him”. Now, although still one of the weirdest Holiday songs ever produced, it has become an unintentional, awkward, hit.
