"Guilty" is the twenty-second studio album by Barbra Streisand, released on September 23, 1980, through Columbia Records. Produced by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, along with his regular team of Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson, the album features a blend of pop and adult contemporary styles.
The album includes two notable duets with Gibb, showcasing their vocal chemistry, and Gibb's influence is evident throughout, as he also provides background vocals on several tracks. Guilty became a massive commercial success, selling over 15 million copies worldwide and solidifying Streisand's status as a pop icon.
In 2005, Streisand released a sequel titled Guilty Pleasures, again produced by Gibb, further exploring the collaboration between the two artists. The success of both albums reflects their enduring appeal and the unique synergy of their musical styles.
After the Bee Gees' monumental success in the late 1970s, Barry Gibb shifted his focus to writing and producing. Barbra Streisand approached him to create songs for her upcoming album, initially planning for Gibb to write or co-write just half. However, their collaboration was so fruitful that Gibb ended up writing all the songs for Guilty. All tracks were crafted specifically for Streisand, except for "The Love Inside," which Gibb had composed over a year earlier.
Two additional songs, "Secrets" and "Carried Away," were penned for the album but ultimately not included. Both later appeared on The Guilty Demos, where Gibb performed the songs he wrote for Streisand. These outtakes would eventually find new life, being recorded by Elaine Paige and Olivia Newton-John.
