Barbra Streisand teamed up with Paul McCartney to record a version of the Beatles legend’s solo ballad “My Valentine” for her forthcoming star-studded duets album, The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two. Now, a new video feature offering a behind-the-scenes look at the collaboration has debuted on Streisand’s social media pages.
Videos by American Songwriter
Accompanying the video is a note from Streisand that reads in part, “I’ve admired Paul McCartney for decades. He’s a brilliant singer and songwriter. “My Valentine” is such a gentle and honest expression of love, it was a joy singing it with him in the studio.”
The feature begins with Streisand commenting, “Paul McCartney, what a perfect partner for this song, ‘My Valentine.’”
She then pointed out that she and The Beatles both released their debut albums in the same year, 1963.
Then, in a voice-over, McCartney noted, “When I first heard Barbra, we just thought, ‘What a great singer.’ She really had a beautiful voice. We were very impressed.”
Streisand then brought up “My Valentine,” which McCartney originally released as a single in 2011, and then included on his 2012 album of standards, Kisses on the Bottom.
“Paul had written it as a solo song, but with a few slight adjustments, his lyrics perfectly lent themselves to be sung as a duet,” Barbra said.
About the “My Valentine” Recording Session
Regarding the recording session, Streisand recalled, “Being in the studio together was just a delight, but Paul arrived during a torrential downpour.”
Jay Landers, an executive producer on the album, then appeared, sharing a humorous moment involving McCartney’s arrival at the session.
“So, Paul comes in with his umbrella, and he comes into the door,” Landers remembered. “He [starts singing the first line of ‘My Valentine,’] ‘What if it rained, we didn’t care.’ And it was like life imitating art.”
McCartney then reflected on how the recording wound up being more challenging for him than he expected.
“I thought that it’d be a real easy thing for me to do, ’cause I’d written the song,” he noted. “But once I got in there and realized the key changes and the modulations … There had to be one key for me and another key for Barbra.”
The album’s co-producer, Peter Asher, then appeared, recalling how McCartney and Streisand got together during the session to get their parts right.
“The room was packed,” Asher pointed out. “Despite all the clutter and all the people, they found a nook and just worked out stuff between them, perfectly. They’re clearly two masters of their craft.”
McCartney added, “I eventually got it, but I must admit, there were some moments of terror along the way. But working with Barbra was great fun.”
Barbra Offered Some Fab Praise for Sir Paul
As the video came to an end, Streisand shared praise for McCartney’s artistry. She also looked back fondly on the experience of collaborating with him, while cleverly referencing a famous Beatles song.
“The things he does with his voice, he’s such an incredibly gifted songwriter,” she enthused. “It was a very memorable session. And it turns out, you actually can get by with a little help from your friends, especially if one of them happens to be Sir Paul.”
More About Streisand’s New Duets Album
Streisand and McCartney’s duet version of “My Valentine” is available now as an advance digital track from The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two.
The album, which features 11 songs, is a sequel to Streisand’s chart-topping 2014 duets album, Partners. Partners, Volume Two also features collaboration with Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Sting, Tim McGraw, Sam Smith, Hozier, Seal, Josh Groban, and Laufey.
The album was co-produced by Asher and Walter Afanasieff.
The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2 can be pre-ordered now. It’s available on CD, as a blush-colored vinyl LP, and via digital formats. The physical versions of the album include photos from Streisand’s personal archives and liner notes about each track.
(Photo by MJ Kim/© MPL Communications Ltd; Photo by Kevin Kane/Getty Images for BSB)
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