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1Elektra
The Song You Know: “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Mick Jagger. Harry Nilsson was also present at the session, but his contributions were mostly taken off the mix. -
2Sire/Warner Brothers
The Song You Know: “Justify My Love” by Madonna The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Lenny Kravitz -
3Roc-A-Fella
The Song You Know: “Girls Girls Girls” by Jay Z The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Following Michael Jacksons death in 2009, Jay told Britain’s NME that the King of Pop gave an uncredited vocal performance on this track. -
4Motown
The Song You Know: “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Michael Jackson -
5Warner Brothers
The Song You Know: “Money For Nothing” by Dire Straits The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Sting -
6EMI
The Song You Know: The Wall by Pink Floyd The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Toni Tennille of Captain & Tennille, Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys, and some say Brian Wilson. -
7MCA
The Song You Know: “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” by Elton John The Backing Vocals You Might Not: The Beach Boys’ Carl Wilson and Bruce Johnston, and Toni Tennille. -
8MCA
The Song You Know: “The Bitch Is Back” by Elton John The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Dusty Springfield -
9RCA
The Song You Know: “Young Americans” by David Bowie The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Luther Vandross, a background singer at the time. -
10Getty Images
The Song You Know: “Black Jack Bitch” by Prince The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Lenny Kravitz -
11Capitol
The Song You Know: “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Marianne Faithfull, Keith Moon of The Who, among other guests in the studio. -
12Decca
The Song You Know: “We Love You” by The Rolling Stones The Backing Vocals You Might Not: John Lennon and Paul McCartney -
13Epic
The Song You Know: “Play” by Jennifer Lopez The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Christina Milian -
14RCA
The Song You Know: “Satellite Of Love” by Lou Reed The Backing Vocals You Might Not: David Bowie -
15RCA
The Song You Know: “Fame” by David Bowie The Backing Vocals You Might Not: John Lennon, who also co-wrote the track. -
16Warner Brothers
The Song You Know: “Graceland” by Paul Simon The Backing Vocals You Might Not: The Everly Brothers -
17ABC
The Song You Know: “Peg” by Steely Dan The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Michael McDonald -
18A&M
The Song You Know: “Tempted” by Squeeze The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Elvis Costello, who also co-produced the track. -
19KEEN Records
The Song You Know: “Bring It On Home To Me” by Sam Cooke The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Lou Rawls -
20Reprise Records
The Song You Know: “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor -
21Motown
The Song You Know: “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” by Stevie Wonder The Backing Vocals You Might Not: The Jackson 5 -
22Island]
The Song You Know: “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Chaka Khan -
23EMI
The Song You Know: “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, Marianne Faithfull -
24Warner Brothers
The Song You Know: “Short People” by Randy Newman The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Glenn Frey of The Eagles -
25Capitol
The Song You Know: “Fire Lake” by Bob Seger The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles -
26Asylum
The Song You Know: “Doctor My Eyes” by Jackson Browne The Backing Vocals You Might Not: David Crosby -
27Atlantic
The Song You Know: “Another Day In Paradise” by Phil Collins The Backing Vocals You Might Not: David Crosby -
28Philles Records
The Song You Know: “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Early in her career, Cher worked as a backing singer for many Phil Spector productions, including this 1963 girl-group classic, as well as “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” by The Righteous Brothers. -
29Ode Records
The Song You Know: “You’ve Got A Friend” by Carole King The Backing Vocals You Might Not: James Taylor, who also recorded his own version. -
30Liberty Records
The Song You Know: “Surf City” by Jan & Dean The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, who co-wrote the song. -
31Columbia
The Song You Know: “Wishin’ You Were Here” by Chicago The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson and Al Jardine of The Beach Boys -
32Warner Brothers
The Song You Know: “Our Love’s In Danger” by Chaka Khan The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Whitney Houston, a background singer at the time, as well as Luther Vandross -
33Capitol Records
The Song You Know: “Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone” by Glass Tiger The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Fellow Canadian Bryan Adams lent his famous voice to the track. -
34Spectra Records
The Song You Know: “Magnet & Steel” by Walter Egan The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham -
35RCA
The Song You Know: “Spoon” by Dave Matthews Band The Backing Vocals You Might Not: Alanis Morissette
Listen Closer! 35 Songs You Didn’t Know Feature Famous Background Singers
We bet you never noticed the famous folks doing undercover backup vocals on huge hits!