The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two is the thirty-seventh studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released June 27, 2025 on Columbia Records. Consisting of duets with other singers, it is a companion to her 2014 album, Partners.[1]
The album’s sales extended Streisand’s record on the Billboard charts for a top-40 album in every decade since the 1960s.[2]
Background
Barbra Streisand began recording vocals for her new album shortly after completing the audiobook narration for her memoir My Name Is Barbra—a project that may have influenced the introspective tone of some tracks.[3][4] The album cover, which captures her gazing thoughtfully through a screen door, was photographed by her daughter-in-law Kathryn Boyd Brolin, marking a familial collaboration behind the scenes.[5][6]
Among the album’s notable collaborations is a duet with Bob Dylan, who had first invited Streisand to work together decades prior, finally bringing the long-awaited pairing into the studio.[7][8] The project also features Ariana Grande, reuniting with Streisand after their live performance together at Chicago’s United Center in August 2019.[3] The lineup of special guests includes Josh Groban, the only artist to appear on both Partners (2014) and this 2025 sequel, who first recorded with Streisand in 2002.[7]
All tracks produced by Walter Afanasieff and Peter Asher.[1]
Musicians
- Barbra Streisand – vocals
- Bruce Dukov – concertmaster
- William Ross – conductor
- Everton Nelson – orchestra
- Jochem van der Saag – programming
- Leland Sklar – bass (tracks 1–3, 5, 7–9)
- Russell Kunkel – drums (1, 2, 5, 9)
- Dean Parks – acoustic guitar (1, 2, 5)
- Hozier – vocals (1)
- Paul McCartney – vocals (2)
- Walter Afanasieff – keyboards (3, 6–11), piano (3, 6, 7, 10, 11), organ (3), arrangement (4)
- Andrew Synowiec – electric guitar (3, 6)
- Allie Feder – background vocals (3, 9)
- Baraka May – background vocals (3, 9)
- David Loucks – background vocals (3, 9)
- Waddy Wachtel – guitar (3), electric guitar (9)
- Sam Smith – vocals (3)
- Grégoire Maret – harmonica (4)
- Randy Waldman – piano, arrangement (4)
- Bob Dylan – vocals (4)
- Lenny Castro – percussion (5, 9)
- Laufey – vocals (5)
- Mariah Carey – vocals (6)
- Ariana Grande – vocals (6)
- John “JR” Robinson – drums (7, 8)
- Greg Leisz – pedal steel guitar (7)
- Tim McGraw – vocals (7)
- James Taylor – acoustic guitar, vocals (8)
- Leonardo Amuedo – acoustic guitar (9)
- Pedro Eustache – recorder (9)
- Sting – vocals (9)
- Josh Groban – vocals (10)
- Seal – vocals (11)
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