Jackie DeShannon’s timeless anthem “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” has once again proven its staying power, as the 1988 duet version by Al Green and Annie Lennox earned the No. 39 spot in BBC Radio 2’s listener-voted countdown of the Top 40 1980s duets.
Originally co-written and released by DeShannon in 1969, “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” has long stood as a cultural beacon of compassion and hope—a message that continues to resonate decades later. The duet by Green and Lennox, featured in the hit film Scrooged, brought the song to a new generation, preserving the soul and spirit of DeShannon’s original vision while adding its own gospel-tinged vibrancy.
The Top 40 list, revealed today as part of BBC Radio 2’s “Radio 2 Loves the 80s” season, is a celebration of the most cherished musical pairings of the decade. Voted on by millions of loyal listeners of the UK’s most popular radio station, the results reflect the emotional resonance and enduring popularity of these iconic collaborations. Topping the chart was “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, followed by “Under Pressure” from Queen & David Bowie, and “Islands in the Stream” by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers.
That “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” appears on the list at all—more than 35 years after its reimagined version—speaks to the power of Jackie DeShannon’s songwriting and the song’s unwavering cultural relevance. Covered by countless artists over the years, from gospel choirs to pop stars, it remains a universal call to kindness in an increasingly complex world.
DeShannon, who also penned such classics as “When You Walk in the Room” and “Bette Davis Eyes” (later made a hit by Kim carnes and most recently Jojo Siwah), continues to receive renewed appreciation from both longtime fans and younger audiences discovering her work through these modern lenses.
With its appearance in this beloved countdown, “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” takes its rightful place among the greatest musical collaborations of the 1980s—not just as a powerful duet, but as a testament to the timeless brilliance of Jackie DeShannon’s songwriting legacy.