Barbra Streisand bridges generations with star-studded new duets album ‘The secret of life’
Pranjal Chandra | Apr 30, 2025, 21:57 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Barbra Streisand will release a new album. The album is titled 'The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two'. It features duets with Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and others. Sam Smith, Hozier, and Mariah Carey also collaborate. The album includes a song with Ariana Grande. The first single is 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' with Hozier.
Barbra Streisand, one of the most iconic voices in music history, is stepping back into the spotlight with a powerful reminder of her enduring relevance and influence. Her upcoming album, The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two, due for release on June 27, isn’t just a celebration of vocal mastery it’s a rare musical gathering that spans decades and genres, uniting legends and rising stars alike.
Announced on NBC’s “TODAY” show on April 30, the album marks the long-awaited sequel to her 2014 platinum-selling release Partners, which saw Streisand duetting with male vocalists such as Andrea Bocelli, Lionel Richie, and John Legend. This time, the 10-time Grammy winner has curated an even more eclectic lineup, making bold pairings that are bound to stir nostalgia while thrilling a new generation of listeners.
On this latest project, Streisand collaborates with music royalty like Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Sting names that resonate with the golden era of songwriting. Yet she also opens the door to contemporary chart-toppers including Sam Smith, Hozier, Seal, Josh Groban, and even country powerhouse Tim McGraw.
And then, there’s the trio no one saw coming: Streisand joins forces with Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande for “One Heart, One Voice,” a multi-octave powerhouse ballad that is already being hyped as a potential Grammy contender. The collaboration is emblematic of the album’s spirit—bringing together voices from different eras to find harmony in shared artistry.
“The Secret Of Life” isn’t just a nostalgic victory lap. It’s a living testament to Streisand’s passion for reinvention and musical dialogue.
“I’ve always loved singing duets with gifted artists,” Streisand shared in a statement. “They inspire me in unique and different ways…and make our time in the studio a joy!”
This joy is palpable in the album’s first single, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” a stirring reinterpretation of the classic ballad featuring Irish singer-songwriter Hozier. The track, now available on all digital and streaming platforms, pairs Streisand’s timeless vocal warmth with Hozier’s soulful edge. A lyric video has also been released, capturing the emotional resonance of their performance.
The tracklist reads like a curated journey through love, loss, reflection, and resilience. “My Valentine” with Paul McCartney feels intimate and lush, while “The Very Thought of You” with Bob Dylan promises a haunting take on longing. James Taylor joins Streisand for “Secret O’ Life,” a track that’s as introspective as it is hopeful. Meanwhile, Sam Smith’s duet “To Lose You Again” dives into heartbreak with the kind of emotional weight only two powerhouse vocalists can deliver.
There are fresh voices too: Laufey, the Icelandic-Chinese breakout star beloved by Gen Z for her jazz-pop fusion, joins Streisand on “Letter To My 13 Year Old Self,” adding yet another generational bridge to the project.
With this release, Streisand not only expands her duet legacy which already includes classics with Neil Diamond, Barry Gibb, and Celine Dion but also reinforces her position as a connector of musical worlds. Each track is more than a collaboration; it’s a conversation across time, genre, and style.
“The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two” is shaping up to be more than just a star-studded record. It’s an event. A rare convergence of voices that reaffirms Streisand’s singular ability to adapt, uplift, and unite through music.
For fans old and new, the album offers something profound: proof that great artistry never ages it evolves, expands, and continues to inspire.
Announced on NBC’s “TODAY” show on April 30, the album marks the long-awaited sequel to her 2014 platinum-selling release Partners, which saw Streisand duetting with male vocalists such as Andrea Bocelli, Lionel Richie, and John Legend. This time, the 10-time Grammy winner has curated an even more eclectic lineup, making bold pairings that are bound to stir nostalgia while thrilling a new generation of listeners.
On this latest project, Streisand collaborates with music royalty like Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Sting names that resonate with the golden era of songwriting. Yet she also opens the door to contemporary chart-toppers including Sam Smith, Hozier, Seal, Josh Groban, and even country powerhouse Tim McGraw.
And then, there’s the trio no one saw coming: Streisand joins forces with Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande for “One Heart, One Voice,” a multi-octave powerhouse ballad that is already being hyped as a potential Grammy contender. The collaboration is emblematic of the album’s spirit—bringing together voices from different eras to find harmony in shared artistry.
“The Secret Of Life” isn’t just a nostalgic victory lap. It’s a living testament to Streisand’s passion for reinvention and musical dialogue.
“I’ve always loved singing duets with gifted artists,” Streisand shared in a statement. “They inspire me in unique and different ways…and make our time in the studio a joy!”
This joy is palpable in the album’s first single, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” a stirring reinterpretation of the classic ballad featuring Irish singer-songwriter Hozier. The track, now available on all digital and streaming platforms, pairs Streisand’s timeless vocal warmth with Hozier’s soulful edge. A lyric video has also been released, capturing the emotional resonance of their performance.
The tracklist reads like a curated journey through love, loss, reflection, and resilience. “My Valentine” with Paul McCartney feels intimate and lush, while “The Very Thought of You” with Bob Dylan promises a haunting take on longing. James Taylor joins Streisand for “Secret O’ Life,” a track that’s as introspective as it is hopeful. Meanwhile, Sam Smith’s duet “To Lose You Again” dives into heartbreak with the kind of emotional weight only two powerhouse vocalists can deliver.
There are fresh voices too: Laufey, the Icelandic-Chinese breakout star beloved by Gen Z for her jazz-pop fusion, joins Streisand on “Letter To My 13 Year Old Self,” adding yet another generational bridge to the project.
With this release, Streisand not only expands her duet legacy which already includes classics with Neil Diamond, Barry Gibb, and Celine Dion but also reinforces her position as a connector of musical worlds. Each track is more than a collaboration; it’s a conversation across time, genre, and style.
“The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two” is shaping up to be more than just a star-studded record. It’s an event. A rare convergence of voices that reaffirms Streisand’s singular ability to adapt, uplift, and unite through music.
For fans old and new, the album offers something profound: proof that great artistry never ages it evolves, expands, and continues to inspire.