For legendary artist Barbra Streisand, singing a duet is far more than just two voices sharing a microphone. “It’s a dramatic process,” she explains, emphasizing the theatrical depth she brings to her collaborations. “It’s wondering who is this guy in the song? Who is this girl? What’s happening with them?”
This perspective stems directly from Streisand’s foundational identity as a performer. “I’m an actress first,” she adds, clarifying her approach. “I like drama.” This preference for character-driven narratives within song has been a hallmark of her immensely successful and creative duets throughout her career.
While contemporary musical collaborations span a wide spectrum of styles and emotional landscapes, sometimes highlighting specific sonic textures or atmospheric moods (like the “easy melancholy” or “robust, earthen texture” found in certain modern tracks), Streisand’s approach remains deeply rooted in exploring the story and interplay between characters within a song.
A History of Dramatic Collaborations
Streisand’s penchant for dramatic duets has fueled many of her most memorable moments. Early in her career, her joint performance with Judy Garland on “The Judy Garland Show” in 1963 was a symbolic passing of the torch, establishing her as a vocal force.
Over the decades, duets have frequently topped the charts for Streisand:
In 1978, her powerful ballad “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” with Neil Diamond hit No. 1.
The following year, she partnered with Donna Summer for the explosive “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough),” another chart-topping anthem.
- The early 1980s saw her score multiple Top 10 hits with Barry Gibb, followed by a successful pairing with Bryan Adams.
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Her commitment to the duet format culminated in the 2014 album “Partners,” which featured pairings with diverse artists, from the contemporary John Mayer to a unique collaboration with the late Elvis Presley, using a vocal sample from his 1956 recording of “Love Me Tender.” Both “Partners” and its successor, “Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway,” reached the peak of the Billboard charts, proving the enduring appeal of Streisand’s collaborative vision.
Introducing ‘The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two’
Now, at 83, Streisand is set to release her latest exploration of the duet form with “The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two.” This new album promises an exciting mix of generations and musical sensibilities. It features collaborations with iconic contemporaries like Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan, alongside younger voices such as Laufey, Sam Smith, and Hozier.
This upcoming release underscores Barbra Streisand’s unique perspective on musical partnership – one where each duet is an opportunity to delve into character, conflict, and connection, reinforcing her belief that at the heart of every great song, there’s always room for a little drama.
