"Guilty" is a vocal duet between Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb. The song was written by all three Bee Gees: Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb. Released as a single from Streisand's 1980 album of the same name, "Guilty" peaked at No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 5 on the adult contemporary chart. In the UK, the song reached No. 34 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was certified gold by the RIAA. In addition, "Guilty" won a Grammy Award in the category Best Pop Vocal Performance, Duo or Group. The song also appeared on the 2001 Bee Gees compilation, Their Greatest Hits: The Record.

There is also a version by Tom Jones and Gladys Knight.

Reception Record World said that "Barbra's vocal glistens like an early morning dewdrop while Barry adorns with plush harmonies" In 2023, American Songwriter and The Guardian both named "Guilty" as Streisand's second-greatest song.

Personnel Barbra Streisand – lead vocals Barry Gibb – lead and backing vocals, guitar, horn and string arrangement George Terry – guitar Cornell Dupree – guitar Richard Tee – electric piano George Bitzer – electric piano Harold Cowart – bass Steve Gadd – drums Joe Lala – percussion

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1980–1981)Peak positionAustralia (KMR)37Canada RPM Top Singles 13New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12Spain (PROMUSICAE)11US Cash Box Top 1008

Year-end charts Chart (1980)RankUS Cash Box82 Chart (1981)RankUS Billboard Hot 10029

Certifications

Human Nature version

Australian band Human Nature, released a cover version of the song as the second single from their album Walk the Tightrope. It introduced rapper Kelly K.A.E. The song peaked at No. 33 in Australia.

Music video A music video was released to promote the song; with the group and Kelly K.A.E. singing the song in a studio. At one point, you see them flicking through vinyl records, one of which is the album “Guilty” by Streisand.

Track listing CD single "Guilty" "Guilty" (Instrumental) "When You Say You Love Me" (Ben Hudson Drums Mix) "Haunted"

Charts Chart (2004)Peakposition Australia (ARIA) 33

Barry Gibb version

"Guilty" is a song originally recorded by Barry Gibb as a guideline to Barbra Streisand for her album Guilty. Gibb performs on guitar, Blue Weaver on keyboard and Albhy Galuten on synthesizer.

The demo however sounds like the others, and since Gibb sings it in falsetto throughout he had probably not yet decided to make it a duet. (By contrast, parts of "What Kind of Fool" are natural voice.) It was said to have been the last song submitted for the album.

Personnel Barry Gibb – vocals, guitar Blue Weaver – keyboard Albhy Galuten – synthesizer, drum machine

References