A classic love song is getting another moment in the spotlight this November, giving music fans a fresh reason to revisit one of the biggest duets of the 1980s.
On Nov. 20, a tribute concert celebrating Diana Ross and Lionel Richie is scheduled at Middlesbrough Theatre, with their signature collaboration, “Endless Love,” among the songs featured.
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View this post on InstagramThe renewed attention comes after Billboard made a pretty definitive declaration earlier this year, in February, ranking the 1981 hit as the greatest love song of all time.
But is it really?
The song certainly has the chart history to back up the superlative reputation, but there just might be another early-’80s romantic ballad that deserves a place in the conversation.
First, the GOAT.
Why ‘Endless Love’ Is Still the Ultimate Duet
Written and produced by Lionel Richie, “Endless Love” was created for the 1981 romantic drama of the same name, starring Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt. Director Franco Zeffirelli initially envisioned an instrumental theme, but the project evolved into a vocal song. Richie was asked to write the lyrics, and Diana Ross was brought in as his duet partner.
The result became a melodic phenomenon.
Released in June 1981, “Endless Love” began a nine-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 that August. It also topped the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts, becoming the second-biggest-selling single in the United States that year, behind Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes.”
Billboard’s February ranking placed the song at No. 1 among 50 love songs, using Hot 100 performance data rather than a reader poll, explaining that its list awarded the greatest value to weeks spent at No. 1, with lower chart positions earning fewer points.
The recording also marked major career milestones for both its singers. It was Ross’ final No. 1 solo hit and Richie’s first No. 1 as a solo artist, with the pair recording their vocals together during an overnight session in Reno that began around 3 a.m.
As Classic Motown recounts, the two arrived “both of us barely awake” after Ross had performed in the Lake Tahoe area.
It’s hard to argue with nine weeks at the top. But a song doesn’t necessarily need a cinematic sweep or two superstar voices to capture the feeling of lasting love.
Or Is It … ‘How ’Bout Us’ by Champaign?
“Endless Love” may be the grander declaration, but there’s another early-’80s ballad that arguably captures the more complicated reality of romance. Champaign‘s “How ’Bout Us” doesn’t promise forever. Instead, it asks whether two people who have been through the highs and lows of a relationship can find their way back to each other.
Written by keyboardist Dana Walden, the song actually dates back to 1975, when an earlier incarnation of the group recorded it as a B-side. Champaign later reworked it with a smoother R&B-pop arrangement for its 1981 debut album, turning a previously overlooked composition into the band’s signature hit.
And the gamble paid off.
“How ’Bout Us” reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 on the R&B chart, and No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Across the Atlantic, it climbed to No. 5 in the U.K. and topped the Dutch Singles Chart for eight weeks.
What makes the song so enduring, though, isn’t its chart performance; it’s the question at its center. Rather than offering a sweeping promise of eternal devotion, Champaign delivers a tender plea for another chance. It’s a love song for people who understand that staying together can be just as meaningful as falling in love in the first place.
And maybe that’s what makes it the stronger contender: “Endless Love” celebrates the dream of forever, while “How ’Bout Us” understands the work it takes to get there.
According to Rediscovering the ’80s, Carman said he initially hoped the single would help the group secure a major-label recording contract. Instead, it became the band’s defining hit. He later reflected, “After 30 years, I think I love this song more now than ever.”
“Endless Love” may have the bigger chart legacy, but “How ’Bout Us” makes a compelling case for a different kind of romantic classic, one that doesn’t just celebrate being in love, but asks whether two people can make it last.
So, is Billboard right, or does Champaign’s hit or some other ballad altogether deserve the crown? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll be back with another iconic hit, its history, and an alternative pick. Check in tomorrow for the next installment.
Related: The Surprising Place Neil Young’s 1972 No. 1 Hit, Featuring Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor, Always Plays
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