YESSS!

And let me just be picky for a second: I believe that Boy Meets Girl was one of the many types of these groups. Music changed around 1986/7. That Ric Wake (Taylor Dayne) big reverby sound came in. Fat synths, bigger beats (likely from newer drum machines like the 808 or whatthefuckever they were using). They were almost schmaltzy.

For me, 1987-1990 was a whole other 80's era than we know from about 1982-1987. 1980-1981 still had disco influences, easy listening (aka yacht rock). New wave was starting to filter its way into mainstream, but not much bigger for another year or so. But still, groups like Human League et al were out there.

But back to 1987-1990: I loved this era. I don't give a fuck what people say. And those duet or duet-adjacent type groups, or just one-off projects, were en masse: Boy Meets Girl, Will To Power, Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley (from Dirty Dancing), Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam (which were hitting big with "Head to Toe"), Peter Cetera & Amy Grant, Aretha & George Michael, Roxette, Milli Vanilli, Peter Cetera & Cher, even fucking Ozzy & Lita Ford did a duet!

Sure, people do duets, but there was something about this era with duets and big fatty songs that helped close out the last quarter of the 80s.

I honestly think that duet aesthetic led to the onset of groups like Snap!, Soul II Soul, Real II Reel, C+C Music Factory, and like that had a singer and a rapper over what was virtual house or club music. It sorta opened the door from atypical soloists or groups into something different. But there was still girl groups like Wilson Phillips, and boy bands like New Kids.

The duet groups weren't the only great thing about this part of the 80s, but it sure sets it apart for me. Also, their big, Disney-esque type power ballads were also templates for people like Richard Marx and Michael Bolton.

Man, I miss 80s girls.

Born in '72, the 80's were my playground!

(the animation was terrible, though )

85/86 through 88/89 were my high school years. The years you're talking to were awesome for music!

I think the 80s gets described for music that happened in the first half, but maligned for the stuff that happened in second half.