Worst Duets: Metallica and Lou Reed, U2 and Fergie, and More

photo credit: kylmis

Oh, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, why do you do this to us?

In honor of the R’n’R Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary, a series of “all-star” concerts were held in NYC featuring some top acts, and some not-so-top acts, all mixed together into a sometimes nightmarish pop culture stew.

Some things just shouldn’t mix, as the concert’s list of duets proves:

The night produced some strange duets:
U2 & Springsteen (ok)
Mick Jagger & Fergie (ick)
Metallica & the Kinks (why?)
And things just get even weirder after that…

Below: check out videos from some of the best and worst combos and tell us which you think is the best (or worst).

1. 1
   U2, Mick Jagger, Fergie & Will.i.am—“Gimme Shelter”
   
   
   Bands:U2, Mick Jagger, Fergie & Will.i.am
   Song: “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones
   

   Why are the Black Eyed Peas still everywhere? They’re beyond horrible. Plus, wasn’t Fergie’s cartwheeling Heart cover song disaster enough to prevent this sort of thing from happening again? Apparently not.

2. 2
   U2 and Bruce Springsteen with Roy Bittan—“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
   
   
   Bands: U2 and Bruce Springsteen with Roy Bittan
   Song: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2

   Highlights of this clip include Bono’s rambling speech about pilgrims, sacred cows, rock’n’roll and liberation—a rant Springsteen interrupts with the advice “Let’s have some fun with it”. Thanks, Bruce.

3. 3
   U2 &Mick Jagger—“Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”
   
   
   Bands: U2 and Mick Jagger
   Song:“Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”

   Rock’n'roll in all of its cartoonish glory as Bono and Mick try to out pose each other.

   (Read: Bono’s Elvis Poem a Mess of Racial Slurs, Insults)

4. 4
   U2, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith & Roy Bittan— “Because the Night”
   
   
   Bands: U2, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith & Roy Bittan
   Song:“Because the Night” by Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen

   Patti Smith repeatedly messes up her own song and gets a do-over. U2’s ultra-sleepy arrangement must’ve thrown her off (although, really, she’s always a little off, but that’s why people like her…).

   (Read: Springsteen Cancels Concert After Cousin’s Death)

5. 5
   Metallica & Ray Davies—“You Really Got Me”
   
   Bands: Metallica and Ray Davies
   Song:“You Really Got Me” by the Kinks

   The Kinks are rock legends/innovators because they managed to strip the music to its core with no-nonsense riffs and brutally direct lyrics, and no song exemplifies that more than 1964’s “You Really Got Me.” Until this point, the worst version of this song was probably Van Halen’s 1978 take, but Metallica, with over-fuzzed guitars and middle-aged metal angst, could’ve out blasphemed Diamond Dave were it not for the fact that Kinks leader Ray Davies was onstage with them to salvage things by association. Thanks, Ray.

6. 6
   Metallica & Lou Reed—“Sweet Jane”
   
   
   Bands:Metallica and Lou Reed
   Song:“Sweet Jane” by the Velvet Underground

   One of the most unexpected versions of this frequently covered 1970 classic “Sweet Jane” pairs Lou Reed with Metallica. Prior to playing, Metallica moutpiece James Hetfield announces that “Some of the bands suggested [for this collaboration] didn’t make much sense. But after jamming with them, it makes sense. We have a lot in common,” he concedes, “not so much musically, but in our minds and hearts.”

   If you say so, James.

   Guess they can bond over rehab stories or something, but maybe they shouldn’t make an album together. The increasingly irrelevant metal pioneers of Metallica have finally fulfilled their destiny by becoming the most ridiculous cover band ever.Thanks, Guitar Hero.

   (Read: Metallica Offers Fans $50,000 to Solve Mystery)

7. 7
   Metallica & Ozzy Osbourne—“Iron Man”
   
   
   Bands: Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne
   Song:“Iron Man” by Black Sabbath

   Aside from Ozzy’s fluffy hair and glittery top he might’ve swiped from his wife, we can’t argue with this one: it’s the only pairing of the night that actually made sense.

   Last we heard, Ozzy was looking for a new guitarist, maybe he should poach one of the Metallica boys.

   (Read: Zakk Wylde Fired? Ozzy Auditions New Guitarists in Secret)