Lionel Richie & Diana Ross, Endless Love | Dazzling Duets

In the 23^rd edition of Dazzling Duets (2025), Lionel Richie and Diana Ross collaborate on “Endless Love.”

Sometimes, two is better than one! That is the case when it comes to Dazzling Duets! On Dazzling Duets, we highlight ear-catching songs performed by two artists collaborating. These duets can be from any musical style, making Dazzling Duets a flexible, versatile column on The Musical Hype. In the 23^rd  edition of Dazzling Duets (2025), Lionel Richie and Diana Ross collaborate on “Endless Love.” Let the dazzle begin!

Never underestimate the power and beauty of an authentic and pure love song.  The dedication is incredible on “Endless Love”, one of the greatest duets of all time 🥰.  Part of the reason for the greatness is the two legendary vocalists who bring it to life: Lionel Richie (b. 1949) and Diana Ross (b. 1944). Soul royalty! “Endless Love” is the opener from the Endless Love (Soundtrack), released in 1981. Richie penned and produced the pop hit, which spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, quite a big deal back then. Unsurprisingly, “Endless Love” was nominated for three Grammys: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. Unfortunately, this pop juggernaut lost all three awards.  Equally prestigious, Richie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.  He also lost but came out on top four years later with “Say You, Say Me”.

Lionel Richie and Diana Ross may have lost the physical awards for a much-deserved duet, but the sheer musical excellence they gave the world is worth much more.  “Endless Love” commences beautifully with a warm piano introduction. Lionel Richie draws first blood, singing tenderly in the first half of the first verse. “My love / There’s only you in my life / The only thing that’s right.” Oh, the feels! Diana Ross follows with equally tender, devoted, and thoughtful vocals in the second half: “You’re every breath that I take / You’re every step I make.” In the chorus, the centerpiece, both Richie and Ross sing harmoniously, with select solo moments for each:

“And I (I), I want to share
All my love with you
No one else will do
And your eyes (Your eyes, your eyes)
They tell me how much you care
Oh, yes, you will always be
My endless love.”

The production grows grander and lusher during the chorus, which includes the orchestra, most notably soaring strings. In the second verse, both artists duet, asserting “Two hearts / Two hearts that beat as one / Our lives have just begun.” Word. There are a few moments where Ross takes the lead first, followed by Lionel, which keeps things fresh and less predictable. The back-and-forth moments between them are stunning (“I know (I know) / (I’ve found) / I’ve found in you my endless love”). The bridge marks an especially sweet moment between the two, filled with “Boom” (literally, 13 of them). None of the luster is lost near the end of “Endless Love.” That love continues with high-flying vocal moments, namely the outro: “‘Cause no one can deny / This love I have inside / And I’ll give it all to you /… My endless love.” Lionel Richie and Diana Ross shine on “Endless Love”, a timeless, unforgettable, and incredibly sincere romantic duet. Dazzling? You bet!

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Various Artists » Endless Love (Soundtrack) » PolyGram Pictures Ltd. / The Island Def Jam Music Group » 1981

Lionel Richie & Diana Ross, Endless Love: Dazzling Duets No. 23 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; PolyGram Pictures Ltd. / The Island Def Jam Music Group; cottonbro studio, Sachith Ravishka Kodikara from Pexels; andresilva5, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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