About the song
“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” is a heartfelt duet performed by Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond, released in 1978. The song captures the poignant emotions of a love that has faded, with both singers portraying a couple reflecting on the slow, painful breakdown of their relationship. Written by the legendary songwriting duo Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman, along with Neil Diamond himself, the song’s simple but evocative lyrics tell the story of lovers who have grown apart, with flowers—once a symbol of affection—no longer being offered as the relationship fades.
Interestingly, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” wasn’t originally conceived as a duet. Neil Diamond had first recorded a solo version of the song for his 1977 album I’m Glad You’re Here with Me Tonight. Barbra Streisand also recorded a solo version for her 1978 album Songbird. However, a radio station in Louisville, Kentucky, created a mashup of the two solo recordings, which became so popular that it led to the official duet being produced.
Upon its release, the duet shot up the charts, eventually reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1978. It became one of the most iconic love ballads of the late 1970s, and the combination of Streisand’s soaring vocals with Diamond’s deep, emotive delivery made it an instant classic.
“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” was also nominated for several Grammy Awards, further cementing its place in pop music history. The song’s melancholy tone, paired with the emotional depth that Streisand and Diamond brought to the performance, resonated deeply with audiences, especially those who could relate to the bittersweet nature of love lost.
This powerful duet remains a defining moment in both artists’ careers, showcasing their talents not just as singers, but as interpreters of emotional, deeply personal music. It stands as one of the great love ballads of its era, a song that captures the complexity of love, loss, and longing.