BEFORE IT WAS A HIT SONG…
These songs are well known
but you may not know about the earlier attempts to score a hit record with
prior versions of the same song.
You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
"You Don't Bring Me Flowers" is a rare superstar duet that has retained its timeless quality. The combination of Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond, 2 of the best selling performers of the 1970s, proved to be lucrative. Unleashed in 1978, the collaboration reached #1 in America and made the Top 5 in Britain, Australia and New Zealand.
The duet was included on 2 new albums in 1978, 1 by each of its 2 singers: Streisand's 'Greatest Hits Vol. 2' and was the title track from Diamond's latest LP. Despite its immense success, the collaboration came about unexpectedly.
Both performers had previously recorded the song. Their original interpretations were solo tracks on prior albums. Diamond had cut the original version for his 1977 LP 'I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight'. He had co-written the song with married couple Alan & Marilyn Bergman. It was initially to be used for a TV show. When it was rejected, Diamond expanded it for inclusion on the LP.
Streisand's remake appeared on her early 1978 album 'Songbird'. A DJ named Gary Guthrie became aware of the 2 solo versions. He decided to splice them together to make an "exclusive" duet for his station WAKY-AM in Kentucky. The unofficial duet was given airplay. When Columbia heard about the response the track generated, the record label arranged for its 2 major acts to cut a duet together.
Streisand and Diamond re-recorded the song, this time together in the same studio. By year's end, it was ascending the charts. The pair performed the song live at the 1980 Grammy Awards.
Each new song will be added to the
spotify playlist named: ‘Before It Was A Hit Song’. You can check out the previous earlier /
original versions of the hit songs you know and love.
The playlist and other Caffe` Latte`
selections can be found at:
spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte
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