The Real Story Behind ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’ That Fans Never Knew

“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” is widely recognized as a poignant duet between Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand. However, the song’s journey to becoming a chart-topping hit is filled with unexpected twists and turns that many fans might not be aware of.

Originally, Neil Diamond co-wrote “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” with Alan and Marilyn Bergman for the television sitcom All That Glitters. The song was intended as the show’s theme, but after the show’s concept changed, the song was no longer suitable. Diamond then expanded the piece into a full-length song, which he included as a solo performance on his 1977 album I’m Glad You’re Here with Me Tonight.

In 1978, Barbra Streisand recorded her own solo version of the song for her album Songbird. The real magic happened when Gary Guthrie, a radio program director in Louisville, Kentucky, spliced together the two solo versions as a personal gift during his divorce. This unofficial duet resonated with listeners, leading to widespread radio play and prompting Columbia Records to produce an official duet. Diamond and Streisand recorded the duet together in the studio, resulting in a version that topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1978.

Legal Disputes and Recognition

Despite the song’s success, Guthrie filed a $5 million lawsuit against CBS, claiming he wasn’t properly compensated for his role in creating the duet. The dispute was eventually settled out of court. Both Streisand and Diamond acknowledged Guthrie’s contribution by sending him flowers and a gold record plaque.

The duo’s live performance of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” at the 1980 Grammy Awards was unannounced and became one of the ceremony’s most memorable moments. It marked Streisand’s first live performance at the Grammys and was met with a standing ovation.