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• The New Sonny & Cher?

  posted by rebecca - Tue Aug 18 2009, 5:59 AM PDT

  celebs: Scarlett Johansson
  topics: Musicians | Hotties | Couples

  Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson have collaborated on a new album of duets called Break Up. Jim Wright/Courtesy Rhino Entertainment Scarlett Johansson didn't exactly receive rave reviews for her debut album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, which was released in May 2008 and featured the starlet covering several songs by Tom Waits. I, for one, was not impressed. But perhaps I was slightly biased before even taking a listen to her music. I don't know about you, but it kind of annoys me when actors assume that they can sing.
  
  Despite her critics, ScarJo agreed to team up with singer-songwriter Pete Yorn, who got it in his head that he wanted to make an album of duets like Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot did in the '60s. The end result was Break Up, which will be released on September 15. So far I've heard one song off the album called "Relator f," and I kind of love it. It's got an upbeat retro vibe that makes me happy ... and makes me want to sing along! GQ's Will Welch agrees, comparing their duets to the "bouncy, flower-power-pop joy of Sonny & Cher." Check out an excerpt of his interview with Scarlett and Pete below:
  
  How do you guys know each other?
  Scarlett Johansson: I'd worked with two of Pete's brothers, who are in the industry.
  Pete Yorn: The first time I met you, I think you were 14. Maybe 15. At some club in New York. You came up to me and said, "Hi, Pete!" You were with some kid who had curly hair.
  SJ: Everybody in New York has curly hair.
  
  How did Pete invite you to sing on the album?
  SJ: I got a text message that said, like, "Wanna make a record together? PY." I think I wrote back, "Sounds good."
  
  What was the record you had in mind, Pete?
  PY: Well, in the winter of 2006 I had a bad stretch of not being able to sleep. One evening, I was at my oldest brother's house, and I wandered into the guest bedroom and tried to pass out for a bit. After five minutes, I woke up with a start and was like, "I need to make a guy-and-a-girl record. Like Serge and Brigitte." Then I thought, "Who would be Brigitte? Scarlett could be Brigitte!"
  
  Scarlett, the public seems to hate it when Hollywood actors try something other than acting. How do you deal with the antagonism?
  SJ: It does make me a little shy about sharing music. It's hard to be vulnerable when you know you're going to be criticized, whether its good or bad. But the Tom Waits album I did, for instance -- it's found some very interesting fans.
  
  Like who?
  SJ: I dunno. Ridley Scott and his wife.
  PY: It's ridiculous! Barbra Streisand. Frank Sinatra. Elvis. They're all entertainers -- singers, actors, performers. Scarlett is an old vaudeville act to me. She does it all. She's a comedian, too.
  
  Click here to read GQ's full interview with ScarJo and Pete Yorn, then check out their video for "Relator f":

  More From GQ:
  
  When Michael Jackson Was Cool: A GQ Tribute
  
  Jack White on "It Might Get Loud," a New Rockumentary

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