About a decade ago, a brilliant music executive had the inspired idea to unite two of the most distinct voices in contemporary music: the legendary Barbra Streisand and the smooth crooner Michael Bublé. The result was nothing short of magical.
In 2014, as part of Streisand’s star-studded Partners album—featuring collaborations with luminaries like Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Billy Joel, and even a digitally resurrected Elvis Presley—Barbra handpicked Bublé for a special duet. Together, they delivered a sumptuous rendition of the Frank Sinatra classic “It Had To Be You.”
The pairing was perfectly suited to the wintery, festive mood of Bublé’s Christmas television special, Michael Bublé’s Christmas in New York, where they performed the song live to ecstatic fans. Their chemistry was palpable, a seamless blend of two immaculate voices that would have made Sinatra himself proud.
At 72, Streisand once again demonstrated why she remains a mesmerizing force in music and entertainment, boasting the rare EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) that cements her legacy. Michael Bublé, on the other hand, was visibly starstruck by the experience—a sentiment he shared recently on Instagram: “Believe me when I tell you, it’s been 10 years and I’m still starstruck.”
Barbra herself was equally impressed by Bublé’s vocal freedom, professionalism, and charm. She recounted with a smile how playful moments during recording—like accidentally singing his part—led to some of the duet’s most enchanting moments.
Bublé praised Streisand’s gift, noting, “God kissed her throat, and she’s blessed with this beautiful voice, but I think what makes people fall even more in love with her is her ability to tell a story, and I guess that’s the actress within her.” Indeed, storytelling has always been Streisand’s hallmark, weaving emotion into every note—a quality Frank Sinatra himself would have admired.
Though “It Had To Be You” is often mistaken as a Sinatra original, it was actually penned by Gus Kahn in the early 1920s. Sinatra’s version, released in 1980 on his 55th studio album Trilogy: Past Present Future, cemented the song in American musical consciousness.
Ten years on, the duet remains a shining testament to the power of two iconic voices coming together—creating a timeless moment that continues to enchant fans and honor the legacy of a musical legend.
