by Pink is known for her powerhouse vocals and unique artistry, but she has also proven herself to be a skilled collaborator over the course of her decades-long career. While she maintains a hands-on approach to her creative process and works with a variety of musicians on her albums, some partnerships have stood out as particularly impactful and commercially successful. This article will explore some of Pink’s most notable collaborations to date and what made them click.
Nate Ruess – “Get the Party Started”
One of Pink’s most iconic collaborations was teaming up with Nate Ruess, lead singer of indie pop band Fun, for her smash hit “Get the Party Started” in 2008. The song appeared on her sixth studio album Funhouse and helped propel the record to multi-platinum status.
Ruess co-wrote “Get the Party Started” with Pink and helped elevate the song with his unique vocal style and melodic sensibilities. His soulful vocals blended perfectly with Pink’s powerhouse delivery. The song took on a carefree, celebratory vibe through their collaborative vision.
The partnership between Pink and Ruess clearly worked due to their creative chemistry and ability to bring out the best in each other’s talents. Ruess helped Pink tap into a more upbeat, fun energy on “Get the Party Started” compared to some of her previous material. Meanwhile, Pink lent her signature grit and charisma to elevate Ruess’ melodic songwriting.
The single was a massive commercial success, becoming Pink’s second number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after “Lady Marmalade” in 2001. “Get the Party Started” has since become one of Pink’s signature anthems and a staple at her live shows. Its success showed that Pink and Ruess made a winning combination in the studio.
Eminem – “Don’t Let Me Get Me” and “Revenge”
In the early 2000s, Pink linked up with rapper Eminem for a pair of collaborations – 2000’s “Don’t Let Me Get Me” and 2001’s “Revenge.” These tracks showed Pink experimenting with different styles while still maintaining her authentic flair.
Eminem lent his gifted lyricism and storytelling skills to “Don’t Let Me Get Me,” a introspective rock-influenced track focused on inner turmoil and self-acceptance. His rapping added an edgy element that complemented Pink’s raw vocals.
Their chemistry was also evident on “Revenge,” a song driven by Eminem’s rhymes but with Pink delivering powerful melodic hooks and ad-libs. Her vocals took the track to new emotional heights.
Both songs deviated from Pink’s typical pop sound at the time but still felt authentic to her artistry. Working with a heavyweight talent like Eminem in his prime also helped broaden Pink’s audience. The collaborations were critically acclaimed and introduced Pink to new fans.
While Eminem’s style differed greatly from Pink’s, their union in the studio showed that different genres could blend together seamlessly with the right chemistry. Pink’s willingness to experiment outside her comfort zone resulted in some enduring tracks alongside one of rap’s greatest talents.
Nate Ruess Again – “Just Like Fire” from Alice Through the Looking Glass
Pink and Nate Ruess found success teaming up once again over a decade later for the 2016 Disney film Alice Through the Looking Glass. Ruess co-wrote the emotive ballad “Just Like Fire” specifically for Pink to perform over the film’s closing credits.
For this collaboration, Pink leaned into her strengths as a vocalist while Ruess crafted an anthemic, melodic song perfectly suited to her smoky tone. His songwriting talents continued to mesh well with Pink’s artistry.
Critics praised “Just Like Fire” as one of the emotional high points of the Alice sequel’s soundtrack. Pink poured her heart into the cinematic performance, showcasing her impressive vocal range. The track took on an epic, inspirational quality through their combined efforts.
This further collaboration proved the creative synergy between Pink and Ruess endured even after many years. Their successful partnerships cemented Ruess as one of Pink’s go-to collaborators based on consistently strong artistic pairings.
Wrabel – “All I Know So Far”
Pink enlisted singer-songwriter Wrabel as a co-writer on her 2021 single “All I Know So Far,” reflecting on life lessons learned from the pandemic. His songwriting talents blended beautifully with Pink’s reflective lyrics and powerful delivery.
Wrabel crafted an anthemic, piano-driven ballad that swelled with emotion. Pink poured her soul into the vocals, delivering a raw, vulnerable performance. Their creative energies clearly meshed during the writing process to produce a deeply moving track.
Critically, “All I Know So Far” resonated as one of Pink’s most poignant singles in years. Her chemistry with Wrabel in the studio resulted in a timeless song capturing the spirit of resilience during difficult times. The single proved Pink remains adept at finding new artistic partners to help strengthen her material.
Kenny Chesney – “Setting the World on Fire”
In 2018, Pink joined forces with country superstar Kenny Chesney for the smoldering duet “Setting the World on Fire.” It marked a genre shift for Pink that still maintained her authentic style.
Chesney lent his seasoned country vocals while Pink delivered searing rock-tinged vocals over the sultry, guitar-driven track. Their blended vocals took on a passionate, romantic energy that gripped listeners.
While an unlikely pairing of pop/rock and country, Pink and Chesney’s talents meshed together organically. Their chemistry was evident in how naturally their vocals intertwined on the recording.
“Setting the World on Fire” became a streaming hit and introduced Pink to new audiences outside her core fanbase. The successful collaboration showed Pink’s ability to adapt to different genres while retaining her signature edge. It remains one of her more unexpected but resonant partnerships.
Christina Aguilera – “Lady Marmalade”
One of Pink’s most iconic collaborations was the 2001 remake of “Lady Marmalade” for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack alongside Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, and Mya. The all-star ensemble produced one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Pink brought her grit and charisma to the remake of the disco classic. Her powerhouse vocals stood out amongst the other talented singers. Aguilera also shone with her impressive range and style.
The single was a smash worldwide hit, topping charts globally and winning a Grammy. Its success was due in large part to Pink and Aguilera’s undeniable chemistry and ability to elevate each other’s performances.
“Lady Marmalade” remains one of Pink’s most memorable collaborations and a signature anthem in her catalog. Working with vocal powerhouses like Aguilera allowed Pink’s talents to truly shine on the global stage. Their union reinforced Pink as a supremely gifted singer.
In conclusion, Pink’s most successful collaborations over the years have been rooted in strong creative chemistry and an ability to bring out the best in each other’s talents. Whether teaming up with pop/rock singers like Nate Ruess, rappers like Eminem, or stretching into different genres, Pink consistently finds artistic partners who elevate her material. Her willingness to experiment has resulted in some of her most impactful hits and enduring songs. Pink’s knack for collaboration is a testament to her artistic vision and ability to fuse her authentic style with complementary musicians.
