"Lazy Afternoon" is the seventeenth studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released on October 14, 1975, by Columbia Records. Following a mixed critical reception to her previous album, ButterFly (1974), Streisand collaborated with new musicians for this project. The album was recorded in April 1975 in Los Angeles and features pop standards. Producer Rupert Holmes contributed three songs and co-wrote a fourth, "By the Way," with Streisand. The album also includes covers of songs like the Four Tops' "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)," Stevie Wonder's "You and I," and Libby Holman's "Moanin' Low."
Critics generally received Lazy Afternoon more favorably than ButterFly. It peaked at number 12 on the U.S. charts, number 42 in Canada, and number 84 in Australia, later earning a gold certification from the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies. "My Father's Song" and "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" were released as singles, with the former charting on Adult Contemporary charts in both the U.S. and Canada and the latter achieving success on Billboard's dance charts.
The album's development began after the release of the Funny Lady soundtrack earlier in 1975. Streisand chose to work with producers Jeffrey Lesser and Rupert Holmes due to her dissatisfaction with ButterFly. Holmes, initially nervous about working with her, received a note from Streisand after the album's completion, reassuring him of his talent. Recording took place at various studios in Los Angeles, and the album features handwritten liner notes by Streisand.
Musically, the album includes a mix of genres, particularly pop standards. It opens with the title track, a poetic song suggested by director Francis Ford Coppola. "My Father's Song" is an original by Holmes that highlights Streisand's vocal abilities. "By the Way" is noted as her first English-lyric songwriting credit. The album also includes an updated disco version of "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" and other varied tracks that showcase Streisand's vocal range and emotional depth.
"My Father's Song" was the album's lead single, released in August 1975, and was well-received on Adult Contemporary charts. "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" followed as a single in November, benefiting from airplay in dance clubs and charting on dance charts.
Lazy Afternoon received positive reviews, with critics praising Streisand's controlled vocals and the album's production. Stephen Holden from Rolling Stone highlighted it as an improvement over ButterFly, while AllMusic's William Ruhlmann noted its relaxed performances. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 chart and peaked at number 12, later earning a gold certification due to strong sales. It also charted in Canada and Australia, achieving various peak positions.
