Barbra Streisand’s New Album is Coming — But Do You Remember Her First?
Barbra Streisand is set to release a new album — her first in seven years — on June 27, 2025. The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two, which serves as the follow-up to her 2014 album Partners, features artists such as Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Sting, Mariah Carey and more.
As excitement builds for the new album, it’s a great time to look back at Streisand’s first album, which was released 62 years ago, and remember where the star came from, and how she got to the top.
Barbra’s Beginnings
In the early ’60s, Streisand, who was born in 1942, began to pursue her dreams and, after winning a talent contest at a Greenwich Village club called the Lion, started performing in nightclubs. She leaned into her impressive singing voice, humor and stage presence, and was soon discovered and cast in the Broadway show I Can Get It for You Wholesale in 1962, opposite Elliott Gould (who she would eventually marry). The show earned her a Tony nomination and gained her appearances on popular television shows including The Tonight Show.
Everett Collection
Columbia Records signed her in 1963 and her debut, The Barbra Streisand Album, earned three Grammys including Album of the Year. It also reached the Top 10 on the Billboard charts and catapulted her to fame as the best-selling female vocalist in the country. She even gave up some money in order to have complete creative control on the album at just 21 years old, a decision that was quite wise for her age. Just a year later, she was back on Broadway, originating the role of Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, solidifying her place in the spotlight.
With hits such as “Happy Days Are Here Again,” it received rave reviews, and has continued to receive accolades in the years since its release. AllMusic gave the album a retrospective five (out of five) stars, and called it, according to Wikipedia, “an essential recording in the field of pop vocals because it redefines that genre in contemporary terms.”
Barbra today
Harry Benson/Express/Getty Images
Now, Streisand shared her excitement about the new album and said in a statement, according to the Hollywood Reporter, “I’ve always loved singing duets with gifted artists. They inspire me in unique and different ways … and make our time in the studio a joy. My new album, The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two, gave me the chance to work and play with some of my old friends, label mates, and new artists too. I admire all of them … and I hope that you’ll enjoy listening to our collaborations as much as I enjoyed recording with all of my wonderful partners.”
Remind 
Pop Music Legends
August 2017
Dedicated to the sights, sounds and stories of the golden age of pop.
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