More than likely, you have a singer that has touched your life in some way or another. Perhaps it is a particular song that they perform that has the perfect lyrics and hits all the emotions that you need when they sing it. At other times, it is just about the way that they have been a part of your life since you were very young. For many of us, Barbra Streisand fits into that mold quite nicely.
In more recent years, people are more likely to be talking about Lady Gaga and her version of A Star Is Born. There is nothing quite like the original, however, and Streisand hit every note in a way that still gives me chills. Admittedly, Lady Gaga did a fantastic job but Streisand’s voice is always going to amaze me, every time I hear the song.
Josh Groban is another singer that seems to be able to give me chills when he is singing in the song. He has perhaps one of the stronger voices and it doesn’t matter what he is singing, it just seems as if it comes out beautifully. Perhaps that is why I was so excited when I found out he was teaming up with Streisand to perform a duet from the classical musical, West Side Story. The song, Somewhere, is amazing.
Groban and Streisand work together for the 2014 album, Partners and if you haven’t heard it yet, you are really missing out on something phenomenal. Groban felt honored to be asked to be on this project.
“Whenever there’s a project like this, where everyone has to pick and take what’s given, you want to call ‘dibs’ on what you think is going to be your favorite,” Groban admitted. “‘Somewhere’ would’ve been at the top of my list anyway – but they came to me with this song. I’ve loved ‘West Side Story’ since I was a kid. Musical theater was my major when I got signed.”
It isn’t the first time that the two of them have performed together. When he was just getting started, he was approached by Streisand when somebody else dropped out.
“I was supposed to do something with [Andrea] Bocelli, but he couldn’t do it. This was years ago,” Streisand recalled. “Josh was only 19… [We] had him sing on the Bocelli track. We released the record with Josh but he was like a step-in singer, you know? But I always thought he was wonderful!”
Streisand hit the nail on the head and Groban’s career took off.
Even though it has been years since they were together for that duet, he will always be grateful for what Streisand did when she gave him an opportunity. That is why he was so happy to be part of the new project.
“The fact that she took a completely unknown singer and allowed me to have that chance with her was such a great learning experience and wonderful opportunity…This [‘Somewhere’] is one of her classics. So to have this duet with her is a huge honor.”
When these two sing together, their voices blend beautifully. It is difficult to describe in words but let me just say that you are going to have goosebumps when you hear the song. You can see a clip of the song in this video and enjoy every moment of it:
You can also listen to the full version here: