# Songs with very famous backup singers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 24, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861 "2008-01-24T20:37:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/181 "2015-11-25T23:53:56Z")
Back in the '90s, a local deejay (back when that term meant _a radio personality who played records on the air_, rather than _a E’d-up millennial who dances around behind a set of turntables and a control board at a rave_. Now get the hell off my lawn.) used to do a lunchtime “what do these three songs have in common?” contest. The only one I ever got was: “Candy” - Iggy Pop “Love Shack” - The B-52s “Shiny Happy People” - R.E.M. The commonality, of course, was the presence of Kate Pierson on all three. (Pierson’s background vocals on the R.E.M. track have been cited three times already in this thread, but in 2008, 2011 and 2012. The statute of limitations on ninja-ing has expired.) ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/182 "2015-11-26T00:18:45Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > (Pierson’s background vocals on the R.E.M. track have been cited three times already in this thread, but in 2008, 2011 and 2012. The statute of limitations on ninja-ing has expired.) Pierson also sang on two other tracks on R.E.M.'s _Out of Time_: _Me in Honey_ and _Near Wild Heaven_. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/183 "2015-11-26T01:45:10Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > According to Hoon’s [Wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon_Hoon) entry: > > “In L.A., Hoon befriended his sister Anna’s high school friend, Axl Rose” So there you go, not too weird at all. Slight hijack: The album that Blind Melon released after Shannon Hoon’s death, Nico, is named after Hoon’s daughter, Nico Blue Hoon. Nico and I have never met, but we do have a mutual friend. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/184 "2018-07-09T16:00:24Z")
Bumped. Is the Linda Taylor who sang backup on Mike + the Mechanics’ 1985 debut album the same guitarist and singer Linda Taylor who is occasionally on _Whose Line Is It Anyway?_ Google and Wiki have failed me. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/185 "2018-07-09T16:18:29Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Bumped. > > Is the Linda Taylor who sang backup on Mike + the Mechanics’ 1985 debut album the same guitarist and singer Linda Taylor who is occasionally on _Whose Line Is It Anyway?_ Google and Wiki have failed me. Yes. > **[Linda Taylor on SoundBetter](https://soundbetter.com/profiles/3792-linda-taylor#profile-credits)** > > Guitarist, composer from ABC’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” with Drew Carey, and the CW Network’s episodes with Aisha Tyler. > > Toured, recorded and/or performed with Art Garfunkel, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tracy Chapman, Sheila E., Christopher Cross, Ed... Hover over “Mike + the Mechanics” under “AllMusic verified credits for Linda Taylor.” A pop-up says she did background vocals. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/186 "2018-07-09T16:35:48Z")
Excellent - thanks! ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/187 "2018-07-16T07:30:39Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” had Linda Ronstadt on backing vocals. Holy cow, how did I not know that! In case no one has mentioned it yet: Ronstadt contributes gorgeous backing vocals on “Under African Skies” from Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ LP. Her tone and clarity are exquisite. ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/188 "2018-07-16T07:34:12Z")
> [@Astroboy14](#): > > Toni Tennille sang back ups on Pink Floyd’s [The Wall](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall). As did Brian Wilson. Strange bedfellows. I wonder which songs they appeared on. ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/189 "2018-07-16T16:01:17Z")
James Taylor has done a lot. He sang harmonies on Marc Cohn’s “Perfect Love.” ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/190 "2018-07-16T19:09:29Z")
Did John Lennon sing the lines “turn and face the strange changes” in David Bowie’s song “Changes”? Because if it ain’t John, Bowie could sound exactly like him. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/191 "2018-07-16T19:19:06Z")
> [@LLCoolL](#): > > Strange bedfellows. I wonder which songs they appeared on. The Brian Wilson - Toni Tenille association isn’t strange- Daryl Dragon “The Captain” was a member of the Beach Boys in the 70’s. But them with Pink Floyd seems a bit surprising. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/192 "2018-07-16T19:27:49Z")
Linda Rondstat sings backup on her cousin David Lindley’s “Gimme Da 'Ting.” She’s barely audible in the mix (unfortunately) but since she also produced the album it appears on, that must be the way she wanted it. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/193 "2018-07-16T20:49:39Z")
> [@LLCoolL](#): > > Strange bedfellows. I wonder which songs they appeared on. As I recall - and I might be misremembering - she does backing vocals and plays the ‘you wanna take a baaaath?’ girl on the album. I forget the song. ‘One of My Turns’, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/194 "2018-07-16T20:50:37Z")
And to keep the fun going, Brit sensation Joan Armatrading did backing vocals with Queen on ‘Don’t Lose Your Head’ from A Kind of Magic. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/195 "2018-07-16T21:42:50Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Linda Rondstat sings backup on her cousin David Lindley’s “Gimme Da 'Ting.” She’s barely audible in the mix (unfortunately) but since she also produced the album it appears on, that must be the way she wanted it. Not to be confused with [Gimme Dat Ding.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEEy615Jzg4) ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2018, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/196 "2018-07-17T05:10:17Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Not to be confused with [Gimme Dat Ding.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEEy615Jzg4) Not a chance. _[www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls\_hnYpT\_2s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls_hnYpT_2s)_ ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2018, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/197 "2018-07-17T09:07:43Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > The Brian Wilson - Toni Tenille association isn’t strange- Daryl Dragon “The Captain” was a member of the Beach Boys in the 70’s. But them with Pink Floyd seems a bit surprising. I really meant Toni Tenille appearing on a Pink Floyd record. “The Wall” was released in late 1979 - i.e., well after Captain and Tenille’s breakthrough in the pop world. So in 1979, she probably wasn’t scrapping for backup work to pay the bills. Thus, Tenille wanted to be on the record, or they wanted her, or both. Roger Waters and Toni Tenille working together just seems like a strange combo! You have to respect her pipes, and maybe that’s what Floyd saw. Brian Wilson on that project seems like a strange fit, too. But maybe Floyd were just excited by the prospect of having a legend on their record, and figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2018, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/198 "2018-07-17T11:25:35Z")
According to Wikipedia, it wasn’t Brian Wilson, or any of his brothers who sang backup on _The Wall_, but another Beach Boy, Bruce Johnston. > **[The Wall | Personnel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall#Personnel)** > > Pink Floyd > 1.Roger Waters – vocals, bass guitar (1-5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 19, 21), synthesizer (1, 7, 8, 11, 16, 21, 23), acoustic guitar (6, 17), electric guitar (12), sleeve design, co-production | > 2.David Gilmour – vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar (6, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25), synthesizer (2, 7, 8, 19, 21, 23), co-production | > 3.Nick Mason – drums and percussion (except 3, 6–8, 13, 16, 17, 24, 26) | > 4.Richard Wright – keyboards, Hammond organ (except 6, 18... ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/199 "2018-07-17T14:29:02Z")
Scarlett Johannson (of all people) has a trippy album of Tom Waits covers from 2008, called “Anywhere I Lay My Head.” Two of the tracks feature David Bowie (!) on backing vocals: [Falling Down](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USiLOQFW3X4) and [Fannin Street](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSnfpEfS32c). The latter in particular has Bowie belting it out pretty good in the background. ---
**Author:** ![Kennedy1960](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ccd318/32.png) [@Kennedy1960](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kennedy1960)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861/200 "2018-07-17T22:06:27Z")
We Love You by The Rolling Stones features John Lennon and Paul McCartney on backing vocals. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-very-famous-backup-singers/434861.md?page=11)