4 Songwriting Duos That Defined Classic Rock

So many songwriting duos through the years have made some of the greatest songs of multiple classic rock eras. The following four pairs, though, are the cream of the crop. Let’s look at some dynamic duos in the world of classic rock songwriting that will go down in history for decades to come!

Carole King and Gerry Goffin

We wouldn’t have gorgeous tunes like “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”, “One Fine Day”, or “The Loco-Motion” without the OG songwriting duo of Carole King and Gerry Goffin. This is old school rock and roll from the 1960s at its finest. These two talents either wrote or co-wrote over 120 classic tunes together, and few husband-and-wife pairings have delivered as much good music as they did.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney

What would a list of classic rock songwriting duos be without mentioning The Beatles’ principal songwriters, John Lennon and Paul McCartney? Without these two complicated songwriters, we wouldn’t have the best of the best from The Beatles’ discography, like “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Yesterday”. Most would agree that these two lads from Liverpool are the most legendary songwriters of the 20th century. And while they were fine songwriters on their own, they really made the most magic together.

Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Elton John has the voice and charisma, and Bernie Taupin has the songwriting chops. However, John’s own songwriting efforts are nothing to sneeze at. But together, this dynamic duo created some of the best songs of their era, from “Rocket Man” to “Tiny Dancer”. 

John tends to get all of the credit, which he certainly deserves. He’s an absolute icon. But Taupin turned writing a classic rock and pop hit into an art form of its own in the latter half of the 20th century, and he deserves way more credit.

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

Their relationship was occasionally complicated, but Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones were one of the greatest songwriting duos in classic rock, from the very start of their partnership in the 1960s. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Paint It Black” will never go out of style.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.