Kylie Minogue is no stranger to a collaboration; from her first duet back in 1988 with then beau Jason Donovan, to brand new banger, ‘Edge of Saturday Night' with The Blessed Madonna. Have a listen to that below;
Whether balladry, anthemic pop or more experimental, Kylie has never been afraid to pick interesting collaboration partners. Join me as I take a look back through her history of pairing up with other talent to create tracks that only bolster her impressive solo catalogue. Note: I've focused more on collaborative tracks rather than songs written by other artists for Kylie and recordings rather than live appearances.
1988 – Especially For You/All I Really Wanna Do – with Jason Donovan
At the end of 1988, Neighbours attracted one of the biggest TV audiences of all-time when an estimated 20 million people tuned in to see Charlene (played by Kylie) and Scott (played by Jason Donovan) tie the knot. At the same time, Kylie’s debut self-titled album was declared the biggest selling album of the year in the UK and had given her 4 top 2 hits, while Jason had just released his first hit ‘Nothing Can Divide Us’.
With their off screen love affair a source of constant tabloid and fan discussion, it seemed only a matter of time before the pair duetted. Fans were preordering the track before it even existed and prompted Stock, Aitken and Waterman to cave in and write ‘Especially For You’ for the pair. It narrowly missed out on the Christmas No.1 spot (Cliff Richard’s ‘Mistletoe & Wine’ winning the battle) but went to No.1 just after. It is Kylie’s second million-seller in the UK (‘Can't Get You Out Of My Head' being the first). A surprise rendition of ‘Especially For You' appeared on the first ‘An Audience With Kylie’ program back in 2001, with Jason replaced by none other than Kermit The Frog!
There was a second song ‘All I Wanna Do Is Make You Mine’ which appeared on the b-side to ‘Especially For You'. It ups the tempo for a fun romp of a retro-sounding song that remains a guilty pleasure!
The following Christmas, both Kylie and Jason joined a multitude of pop’s finest for Band Aid II which did get the coveted Christmas No.1 slot. She would later go on to join various ensemble casts for charity singles ‘Everybody Hurts’ (2010), ‘God Only Knows’ (2014) and ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ (2020). Kylie's first appearance on a record was actually for a charity ensemble in Australia in 1985 called ‘A World Without Music' by Hearing Aid.
There were a couple of rap features on Kylie’s third album, 1990’s ‘Rhythm of Love’; the single version of ‘Shocked’ with Jazzy P and The Poetess (uncredited) appears on album track ‘One Boy Girl’. However, it wasn’t until her fourth album ‘Let’s Get To It’ that we’d see another proper duet.
1991 – If You Were With Me Now
The second single from Kylie's fourth album ‘Let's Get To It', the glorious ballad ‘If You Were With Me Now', is the first single that Kylie co-wrote alongside Stock and Waterman as well as featured singer Keith Washington. The US soul singer was suggested by Pete Waterman and Kylie loved his album and gave the idea the thumbs up. The single peaked at No.4 in the UK giving Kylie her 14th UK Top 10 hit.
As that track was sitting pretty in the Top 5, Dance Kylie was born and testing the water with ‘Keep On Pumpin' It'. Released by The Visionmasters and Tony King (a PWL remixer) featuring Kylie, it's a remix version of album track ‘I Guess I Like It', and peaked at 49 on the UK singles chart.
1995 – Where The Wild Roses Grow – with Nick Cave
In 1995, following a successful rebrand as a cooler, dance and soul influenced singer, Kylie shocked the pop world when she teamed up with fellow Australian, rocker Nick Cave on ‘Where The Wild Roses Grow’. As if the collaboration didn’t seem a strange enough pairing, the song was a ‘murder-ballad’ in which Kylie played the part of Eliza Day; the victim. They called her the wild rose because her rock bludgeoned body was found in a place where the wild roses grew. It just missed out on a Top 10 UK Singles Chart placing when it peaked at #11, but reached #2 in her native Oz. A hauntingly beautiful track, it remains one of Kylie’s most streamed tracks of all-time. Nick Cave was also very influential in encouraging Kylie to embrace her early musical career and returning to more mainstream pop in 2000. Nick joined Kylie on stage at Glastonbury in 2019 to perform the track. Watch below:
1997 – German Bold Italic & Sometime Samurai – with Towa Tei
Kylie became a typeface when she provided vocals on the wacky techno/minimal house of Towa Tei's ‘G.B.I.' or German Bold Italic to give it, its full name. In the video Kylie is seen as a Geisha girl in various locations as she sings about complimenting you well in blue, green and more colours. Probably the most avant-garde song of her career and a prelude to her most experimental album, ‘Impossible Princess' which followed shortly after.
1999 – The Reflex – with Ben Lee
Kylie joined Ben Lee to cover Duran Duran’s 1984 hit ‘The Reflex’ for a tribute album ‘Undone’ which features Australian artists covering songs from the UK band’s back catalogue. Ben started out in music when he was just 14 years old, but soon built a fanbase in Australia with his indie pop sound both as part of group Noise Addict and as a solo artist.
1999 – In Denial – with Pet Shop Boys
In October 1999, Pet Shop Boys released their seventh studio album ‘Nightlife’ and sitting at track 10 was ‘In Denial’ – a duet featuring Kylie. In the song, Kylie plays the role of Neil’s daughter, confronting her dad who is in denial that he’s gay. It’s ok though, she loves him anyway! It’s a beautiful mid-tempo track with the story telling leading the way as the pair take turns to sing and get across their side of things. Kylie performed this track with pre-recorded vocals from Neil, on her Showgirl Tour in 2005.
2000 – Kids – with Robbie Williams
As part of her return to pop, Kylie teamed up with Robbie Williams for the stadium pop of ‘Kids'. The steamy video saw two of the biggest popstars of the time (and all-time!), getting cosy in a swimming pool as a champagne cork pops! Robbie wrote this song with Guy Chambers and the three of them also wrote ‘Your Disco Needs You’ for the ‘Light Years’ album that housed ‘Kids’. Kylie joined Robbie on stage in Manchester to perform the track live and the chemistry is real!
2001 – Bury Me Deep In Love – with Jimmy Little
In 2001, Kylie joined a number of Australian artists for a special album ‘Corroboration’ which saw Indigenous and non-Indigenous musicians and bands collaborating. Kylie teamed up with Jimmy Little for a cover of the late 80s track ‘Bury Me Deep In Love’ by Australian rockers The Triffids. A track that wasn't unfamiliar to Kylie as it was used in Neighbours for Harold and Madge's wedding exit, where Kylie was playing Charlene, the bridesmaid.
2001 – G-House Project – with Gerling
Kylie contributed vocals for a track from Australian experimental rock band, Gerling on their album ‘When Young Terrorists Chase The Sun’ (released as ‘Headzcleaner’ in the UK following the 9/11 attacks in New York). A dance track, one of the lyrics is ‘The G House Project is disco music’ so made sense to get Kylie on it.
In 2003, Kylie released her ninth studio album ‘Body Language’ which featured guest vocals from 80’s band Scritti Politti’s Green Gartside on track ‘Someday’. There was also an uncredited rapper on ‘Red Blooded Woman' b-side ‘Cruise Control’ and originally ‘Chocolate’ was going to feature a rap from Ludacris, but this version has never officially been released.
2005 – Sometime Samurai – with Towa Tei
At the time of writing ‘G.B.I.’ with Towa Tei back in 1996, another track was started with Kylie writing lyrics to an instrumental song by Towa Tei that was potentially intended for her ‘Impossible Princess’ album. She came up with ‘Sometime Samurai’ about then beau Stephane Sednaoui. That track sat in limbo (pun not intended!) until 2005 when Towa reached out to Kylie and she re-recorded her vocals for the track and it was released on Towa’s album ‘Flash’.
In 2007, her ‘X’ album spawned a couple of remixes that also featured guest rappers. The US single ‘All I See' featured US rapper Mims and another song ‘Heart Beat Rock’ (cowritten by Calvin Harris, who also produced the track) had a remix featuring MC Spank Rock, which completely changed the sound of the song from the album version. Have a listen to that below:
2008 – The Winner Takes It All – with Dannii Minogue
The Minogue sisters have always been close and worked together throughout their careers. Kylie joined Dannii on her regular TV show ‘Young Talent Time’, Kylie also co-wrote a track called ‘Love Traffic’ for Dannii’s debut album. Dannii then made a cameo in Kylie’s ‘What Do I Have To Do’ video and provided backing vocals on Dannii’s 1997’s ‘Girl’ album track ‘So In Love With Yourself’. But the first released recording of the pair was their cover of ABBA classic ‘The Winner Takes It All’, backed by BBC Concert Orchestra, for BBC series ‘Beautiful People’. Coincidentally, Dannii made a cameo in the second series a year later. One more duet would follow for Kylie's Christmas album in 2015 (see below).
2008 – Lhuna – with Coldplay
Kylie and her Parlophone labelmates Coldplay, recorded together for a charity record called ‘Lhuna’ which was released on 1st December (World Aids Day) with proceeds going to the RED(wire) charity. The band had a great respect for Kylie and did a cover of ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ at their Glastonbury slot in 2005; the year Kylie had to cancel due to her cancer diagnosis. It’s the first time Coldplay had collaborated with a female artist and Kylie would later cover their ‘Christmas Lights' on the Snow Queen Edition of ‘Kylie Christmas' (more on that album below).
2009 – Sensitized – with Christophe Willem
A track from Kylie’s 2007 ‘X’ album, ‘Sensitized’ sampled French artist Serge Gainsborough’s ‘Je’ Taime’ song from the late 60s, so it only seemed only right that Kylie would create a version with modern day, French act, Christophe Willem which was released in 2009 on his album ‘Caféine’. Some 10 years later, another French act, Jenifer, would team up with Kylie on the 2019 single ‘On Oublie Le Reste’ which also featured ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head's ‘La, la, la' refrain.
Another ‘X' track had a collaborated added when Mexican singer/songwriter Aleks Syntek joined Kylie on a version of ‘In My Arms' which features on his hits collection ‘1989-2009' celebrating 20 years of his songs.
2009 – Monkey Man – with The Wiggles
One of Kylie’s many curveballs is her duet with Australian children’s TV personalities The Wiggles on their 2009 song ‘Monkey Man’. It's a cover of a ska song from the late 60s. Hugging up the big monkey man indeed!
2010 – Devotion – with Hurts
In complete contrast to The Wiggles, and one of Kylie's more indie duets, was with British synth pop rockers Hurts when she featured on the track ‘Devotion’ on their second album ‘Happiness’ in August 2010. As fans of Kylie, the band were surprised when she said yes to their request saying it was a surreal moment. Kylie covered their single ‘Wonderful Life’ on Radio 1’s Live Lounge as a nod to her connection to the duo in September that same year.
2010 – Higher – with Taio Cruz (ft Travie McCoy)
This track was written by Taio alongside French writer/producer Sandy Vee (David Guetta/Rihanna/Katy Perry) and was intended for Kylie’s ‘Aphrodite’ album but when that didn’t work out, Taio decided to release the track on his ‘Rokstarr’ album with Kylie lending vocals to the European version and Travie McCoy to the US version (some of his vocals also appear on the Kylie version). It peaked at No.8 in the UK and has gone on to be one of Kylie’s most streamed tracks of all-time.
2011 – Chiggy Wiggy – with Sonu Nigam and Suzanne
Stepping into the world of Bollywood, Kylie is seen performing the song ‘Chiggy Wiggy' with the cast of the film ‘Blue'. Written by Abbas Tyrewala and A.R.Rahman, the latter also produced the track and followed his UK top 3 hit ‘Jai Ho!' with Pussycat Dolls in 2009.
2011 – We are One – with Verbal
Kylie decided to go ahead with a few Japanese tour dates on her 2011 Aphrodite: Les Folies Tour to show her support to the people of Japan following the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. One of her support acts was Japanese rapper Verbal and the pair worked on a charity single, which was released on Youtube to raise funds for disaster aid in Japan.
2013 – Limpido – with Laura Pausini
In 2012, Kylie celebrated 25 years in music with her K25 era which included her revisiting some of her hits on ‘The Abbey Road Sessions’ album and releasing one-off single ‘Timebomb’. She clearly had some synergy with Italian singer/songwriter Laura Pausini, who just a year later celebrated 20 years in music herself and asked Kylie to join her on the lead single from her second hits collection ’20 – The Greatest Hits’. The original version was sung in Italian with Kylie singing mainly in English, but a Spanish-English and pure Spanish version titled ‘Limpio’ were also released (again with Kylie singing mainly in English).
Also in 2013, Kylie provided vocals on Icelandic band múm’s track ‘Whistle' which was featured in the film ‘Jack & Diane’ in which Kylie appears. It’s a wistful, indie-electropop number.
2014 – Beautiful – with Enrique Iglesias
Kylie released her 12th studio album ‘Kiss Me Once’ in 2014 and it featured the nearly-single ‘Beautiful’. A duet with Enrique Iglesias it was rumoured to have been in the running for a single, but aside from some promotion in Australia it never got the full push. The track uses vocoder rather heavily which made it a bit of marmite song for fans. Kylie performed the track solo on her ‘Kiss Me Once Tour’ with much less of the vocoded effect and it really makes you wonder why they used it on the record.
2015 – Kylie + Garibary EP
As an intro to the aforementioned 2014 ‘Kiss Me Once Tour’, fans were treated to a video EP of three new tracks that Kylie had recorded with writer/producer Garibay that were released (with a fourth track that featured as an interlude in the tour) as ‘Sleepwalker’ EP. Garibay was most famous at this time for his work with Lady Gaga on her ‘Born This Way' album but had already worked on tracks for Enrique, Sugababes, Whitney and many more. This EP was available as a free download, and didn't feature any collaborating artists (although ‘Chasing Ghosts' features an uncredited rap), but the pair would work together again shortly after.
Late in 2015, Kylie + Garibay released the ‘Black & White’ EP which featured three tracks – all of which saw Kylie team up with other artists. First up was the pop dance title track that had a surprise rap from Shaggy (real name Orville Burrell so Mr Peck is not the first Orville she’s duetted with!). The second track is the beautiful, mid-tempo track with Kylie’s fellow Aussie, Sam Sparro, called ‘If I Can’t Have You’. Very much picking up on the trend for tropical house elements being used in pop songs, this dreamy song builds to a thumping, yet laidback chorus as the two would-be-lovers carry out a conversation of longing through song.
The third and final track on the EP is a duet of sorts as the legendary producer Giorgio Moroder recites a spoken word intro in Italian to up the sex factor of the track. The pair would also collaborate on his ‘Déjà vu’ album with Kylie providing vocals on his single ‘Right Here, Right Now’, also in 2015.
2015 – The Other Boys – with Jake Shears, NERVO and Nile Rodgers
Kylie joined her good friend Jake Shears singing on NERVO’s ‘The Other Boys’ along with Nile Rodgers bringing his trademark disco guitars – the result is a certified banger. Kylie and Jake had previously collaborated on writing ‘I Believe In You’ as well as several other Kylie tracks over the Noughteens with Kylie providing (uncredited) backing vocals on Scissor Sisters’ ‘Every Which Way’. She joined the band on stage at Glastonbury to perform the latter in 2010. ‘The Other Boys’ topped the US Billboard Club Songs chart towards the end of 2015.
This track was preceded by another Australian collaboration in 2014 when Kylie recorded an acapella reprise for duo Flight Facilities of their 2010 track ‘Crave You'. It features a similar chorus lyric ‘why can't you love me like the other boys do'.
2015 – Kylie Christmas – with various
At the end of 2015, Kylie teased her first festive album ‘Kylie Christmas’ with an unexpected duet partner; TV presenter and actor James Corden. The pair sang together on a cover of Yazoo’s 1982 hit ‘Only You’, a song that had a festive connection through The Flying Pickets version taking their acapella version to the top of the charts and claiming 1983’s Christmas No.1 in the UK.
For her ‘Kylie Christmas’ album, Kylie also duetted with Frank Sinatra (posthumously), Iggy Pop, Mika and sister Dannii on disco stomper ‘100 Degrees’. The latter being more an homage to Christmas around the world and the differences between perhaps a UK and Oz Christmas. It was tweaked for a single release the following summer to remove the Christmas lyric and replacing ‘it’s still Christmas to me’ with ‘it’s still Disco to me’. The sisters performed the xmas version on X Factor Australia (where Dannii was a judge); watch below:
Dannii was also one of several surprise guests at two one-off shows to celebrate Christmas 2015 and 2016 at The Royal Albert Hall in London. Olly Alexander, Katherine Jenkins, Chrissie Hynde and John Grant also made guest appearances to sing a mixture of Christmas songs and classic Kylie hits.
2017 – Still Feels Like The First Time – with Zoot Woman
Writer/producer Stuart Price had executive produced Kylie's 2010 ‘Aphrodite' album, so it's perhaps no surprise that when his group Zoot Woman (made up of Stuart, Adam and Johnny Blake) to have Kylie feature on a track on their fifth studio album ‘Absence'. Co-writing and singing the track, ‘Still Feels Like The First Time', this electropop track is definitely a hidden gem in Kylie's back catalogue.
2018 – Stop Me From Falling – with Gente De Zona
Fresh from signing to BMG in 2017, Kylie got to work on her 14th studio album ‘Golden’. This time she'd donned her cowboy hat and travelled to Nashville to write songs for the album that was released in the year she turned 50. Second single ‘Stop Me From Falling’ was injected with a hint of latin flare too, when Cuban reggaeton duo Gente de Zona featured on a remix for the single version of the track complete with a glorious video shot in Havana.
Before Kylie had decided on a country-influenced sound for ‘Golden', she had recorded a dance pop track with rising UK producer Sigala, which ended up featuring on his debut album ‘Brighter Days’ instead. ‘What You Waiting For?' was released on the album in September 2018.
2018 – Music’s Too Sad Without You – with Jack Savoretti
For the final single release from ‘Golden’, Kylie teamed up with British/Italian singer/songwriter Jack Savoretti on the beautiful ballad ‘Music’s Too Sad Without You’. Originally the pair were put together to record a cover of Boney M’s ‘Rivers of Babylon’ for a film soundtrack, but when they got in the studio together, the creative juices were flowing and they decided to develop a new song instead. The video for the single was filmed in the very glitzy Teatro La Fenice opera house in Venice.
2019 – Really Don’t Like U – with Tove Lo
Tove Lo has made it clear she loves and respects Kylie so when the pair met at a charity event they talked about working together, the result was ‘Really Don’t Like U’. Featuring on Tove’s 2019 album ‘Sunshine Kitty’, each singer talks about seeing their ex with the other and despite knowing it’s wrong to think, they are jealous of one another. A mid-tempo electro-ambient-pop track, a fun karaoke style lyric video was issued featuring both Kylie and Tove. The mutual love-in must still be going on, with Tove featuring on Kylie's latest release ‘My Oh My'.
2019 – Lazy – with The Vaccines
To support the release of ‘Farmageddon', a Shaun The Sheep film, indie rockers The Vaccines duetted with Kylie on this uplifting guitar-laden pop/rock track. It's not the first time Kylie has worked with a British indie rock band; in 1997 Manic Street Preachers worked on co-writing two tracks ‘Some Kind of Bliss' and ‘I Don't Need Anyone' for Kylie's ‘Impossible Princess' album. She also joined them on stage in 1996 to sing ‘Little Baby Nothing'; a song the Manic's said was originally intended for her to feature on but the request never got past Kylie's then label, leaving her unaware at the time.
2020 – Real Groove Studio 2054 – with Dua Lipa
Kylie worked hard throughout the pandemic, taking full advantage of lockdowns to learn vocal production at home, co-write and record her album ‘Disco’. Amongst the many highlights is the slinky ‘Real Groove’ and as well as Kylie performing this track as part of her ‘Infinite Disco’ pay-per-view, she also appeared as a special guest on Dua Lipa’s ‘Studio 2054’ pay-per-view event. The pair sang a remixed version of ‘Real Groove’ together and the Studio 2054 remix was later released as a single on New Year’s Eve 2020.
In March 2021, the music industry said goodbye to Michael Gudinski – Mushroom Records head honcho and a major figure in Kylie's career especially in Australia – with a state funeral. Ed Sheeran played a new song ‘Visiting Hours' about being able to pop into heaven and see loved ones who have passed away. For the studio version Kylie provided backing vocals alongside Jimmy Barnes and bizarrely comedian Jimmy Carr.
2021 – Starstruck Remix – with Years and Years
Olly Alexander had a fan-boy moment when he came on stage at Kylie Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall in 2016 to sing ‘Better The Devil You Know’ with her. The pair obviously clicked as in April 2021 Kylie added her vocal to a remix of Years & Years’ single ‘Starstruck’. The pairs voices blended perfectly together on the uplifting track; the first single from Years' third album ‘Night Call’ which peaked at No.1 in the UK.
2021 – A Second To Midnight – with Years and Years
Kylie and Olly would reunite again later in 2021 when he joined Kylie for the first track from her extended ‘Disco – Guestlist Edition’ as the first of three new songs, all of which were duets. ‘A Second To Midnight’ was co-written by Kylie and Olly along with Biff, Duck and Martin Sjølie. It came with a ‘wait, what?’ video where Kylie and Olly dressed as each other for certain scenes and confused the viewer as to who was who.
2021 – Kiss of Life – with Jessie Ware
Jessie Ware is a self-proclaimed Kylie fan since she was a child and after Kylie visited her for her podcast ‘Table Manners’, Jessie couldn’t resist the opportunity to suggest to Kylie they record together. Jessie had also released a disco tinged album in ‘What’s Your Pleasure’ so was a good fit for Kylie’s Disco repack. Both women got to flex their comedy muscles in the video which was shot in an Italian restaurant in Soho and saw Kylie play a food critic opposite Jessie as the chef. Definite shades of Ab Fab!
2022 – Can’t Stop Writing Songs About You – with Gloria Gaynor
The only track on ‘Disco-Guest List Edition' that doesn’t have a Kylie co-write is her duet with disco queen Gloria Gaynor. In fact, two of its four writers (Daniel Davidsen and Peter Wallevik) are responsible for several other Kylie songs including ‘Magic’ and ‘Get Outta My Way’.
2023 – 10 out of 10 – with Oliver Heldens
The first teaser for Kylie’s most recent album ‘Tension’ came in March 2023 when she dropped buzz single ’10 out of 10’ with dutch DJ/Producer Oliver Heldens. Is that a nod to the queer ball scene of the 80s in the chant of ’10 out of 10’ that rates the listener’s body, energy and touch? Or maybe it's more club 18-30 Ibiza holiday vibes!
2023 – Voices – with Jake Shears
Since working together on 2004’s ‘I Believe In You’, Kylie and Jake Shears have become firm friends and as well as the Nervo track above, Kylie joined Jake for the track ‘Voices’ on his recent album ‘Last Man Standing’. Slightly haunting, slightly ABBAesque, Kylie sings the chorus while Jake handles the verses.
2024 – Dance Alone – with Sia
First teaming up for 2014’s ‘Kiss Me Once’ album where Sia acted as Executive Producer and wrote the title track and ‘Sexercise’ for Kylie, this year, it was time for Kylie to return the favour. Sia recently released her latest album ‘Reasonable Woman’ and the track ‘Dance Alone’ acted as the second single, with Kylie singing the second verse and chorus and appearing in the music video.
2024 – Midnight Ride – with Orville Peck and Diplo
Kylie headlined WeHo Pride in San Francisco earlier this summer and surprised the crowd by bringing out Diplo and country singer Orville Peck to perform a brand new track from the latter’s forthcoming album ‘Stampede Vol 2’. Combining sounds from ‘Disco' and ‘Golden', this country-disco banger even features a country and western style whistle!
2024 – My Oh My – with Bebe Rexha and Tove Lo
Released in July to coincide with a live performance at Kylie's BST Hyde Park gig, ‘My Oh My' is like a cross between ‘Can't get you out of my Head' and ‘Padam Padam' as Kylie puts together her fantasy girl group. Each of them revealing their star sign and saying ‘Hi' to make this a hook-laden dance pop track. Watch the gorgeous video below which was shot in the neo-classical setting of London's Syon House.
With a rumoured collaboration with New Kids On The Block on a track from their latest album appearing online briefly before being removed and a galaxy of other artists from Raye to Nelly Furtado saying they'd love to work with Kylie, I'm sure there's more collaborations to come in the future!
