Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
Original post date: June 26, 2015
Released in May 1981, “Promises” was the fourth and final single taken from Barbra Streisand’s hugely successful album Guilty.
Written by Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb, the song carries the polished pop sound that defined much of the album. Barry and Robin also appear on backing vocals, adding those unmistakable Gibb harmonies behind Streisand’s commanding lead.
While “Promises” narrowly missed the Top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 48, it found greater success with adult contemporary listeners. The single reached number 8 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and climbed to number 5 in Canada.
A commercial 12″ single was released in both the United States and Europe, featuring a 5:55 “Special Version.” To my knowledge, this extended version has never appeared on CD or through digital services and remains exclusive to vinyl.
“Promises” also marked an interesting point in Streisand’s singles history. It was her first commercially released 12″ single as a solo artist. It followed her 1979 duet with Donna Summer, “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough),” along with promotional 12″ releases for “Shake Me, Wake Me (When It’s Over)” in 1975 and “The Main Event/Fight” in 1979.
The “Special Version” does not radically remake the song. Instead, it gives the arrangement more room to breathe, extending the smooth production and allowing the backing vocals, rhythm section, and instrumental details to stand out. It is a subtle extension, but one that works beautifully with the sleek sound of the Guilty era.
This post features a brand-new 2026 meticulous audio transfer and restoration taken from the US 12″ promotional pressing. The record contains the same 5:55 version on both sides.
For Streisand collectors, Gibb fans, and anyone who appreciates the refined sound of early 1980s pop, this vinyl-only version of “Promises” is a lovely addition to the collection.
SIDE A:
Promises (Special Version) 5:55
SIDE B:
Promises (Special Version) 5:55
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart Performance – Barbra Streisand: Promises (1981) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Canada RPM Adult Contemporary | #5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #48 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | #8 |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | #48 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 43 02089
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: Pop
Style: Vocal, Disco
CREDITS:
- Executive-Producer – Charles Koppelman
- Producer – Albhy Galuten, Barry Gibb, Karl Richardson
- Written-By – B. Gibb*, R. Gibb*
NOTES:
DEMONSTRATION
NOT FOR SALE
Special Version Of The Columbia Lp: “GUILTY” FC 36750
Taken from The Columbia Lp: “GUILTY” FC 36750
Same track both sides.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
PLEASE READ
There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other
**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!
Password: burningtheground
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I appreciate your help.
Thank you, Paul. Back from a short weekend trip and still playing this song while typing and hey, I have to say, never was a big fan of Barbara, but this song has the typical 80s Disco elements (Gibbs Brothers).Great catch for me, because it is totally new to me. Hope everyone had a great weekend.
This was so unexpected today! What a wonderful track with an even better 12″ mix. Yes I know it doesn’t reinvent much but there is something about this track that really works stretched out a bit like this. Absolutely love the disco vibes infused by the Gibb magic. For the time released, it really was a glorious throwback to the later 70’s. That early 80’s transitional period was really special that it managed to produce music like this, it doesn’t seem possible in any other era. Never have been a big Barbra listener but this is one of my favorites,… Read more »
Thank you, JP! I feel the same way about this mix. It does not completely reshape the song, but the extra length lets that smooth rhythm and those Gibb touches settle in a little more. That late 1970s sound carrying over into the early 1980s is a big part of its charm. It really was a special period, when disco, pop, and adult contemporary could all meet in the same song without feeling forced. Barbra sounds fantastic here, and I am glad this one connected with you, even if you are not a regular listener. Thanks for the kind words,… Read more »
Wow… so cool. It’s without saying that her vocals are talent beyond reason… but her with Gibb input was butter. Delicious. More please…
Thank you, ING! Barbra and the Gibbs were such a perfect match. Her voice, their harmonies, and that smooth production all came together beautifully. “Butter” is a pretty good way to describe it. I will certainly keep an eye out for more from this era!
The Found Sound Orchestra did a stellar remix of this some years ago. Worth it if you can find it.
Thanks, Tim, I will try to find it.
Thanks Paul for your excellent work here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this record out in the wild. My Uncle, was really into the Bee Gees and shared this cassette with my Parents who loved Barbara Streisand and The Bee Gees. This album was new, we had a new car that had a cassette player, which I thought was a real novelty, but only a few cassettes at first and this album was one of them, needless to say I know this album by heart from front to back, burned into by childhood memory. This album really felt like… Read more »
I agree, Joey, this album is etched into my childhood too. I remember my stepmom buying the LP and playing it non-stop. Now it’s a guilty pleasure of mine, and I listen to it often—it’s perfect for doing housework, lol.
Hey, nothing to be guilty of….
Actually…”Originally posted July 22, 2011″.
That was the very first time I posted it, and the first time it was in 24-bit. 🙂
It’s so nice to see, “Babs” back on BTG. Her album, “Guilty,” was a huge success and mega-seller. I think it’s cool that she released a “special version” of this song, “Promises.” Sure, it’s not flashy like, “No More Tears” and “The Main Event/Fight” but I do like it quite a lot. Ms. Streisand has one of my most favorite voices. My mom and dad really enjoyed a lot of her releases also. Have a great weekend, Paul, Retro Hound, Song_and_Dance, Toxicaudio, JP, Axel, Ruben, DJ Xrey, Muff Diver, Joey, Raymond, ING, and all the rest! Forgive me if I… Read more »
Thank you, Jeff! I agree, “Promises” may not have the big dance-floor punch of “No More Tears” or “The Main Event/Fight,” but it has its own quiet charm. The Special Version gives the song just enough extra room without taking away from what made the original work.
Barbra’s voice is truly one of a kind, and it is wonderful that her music also brings back memories of your mom and dad. Music has a way of keeping those connections close.
Have a great weekend, my friend, and thank you for always making everyone here feel welcome.
I love that there is an instrumental version of the album! You can then edit to your’s desire anything you don’t like or prefer wasn’t here when using the tracks elsewhere!!!
Or just simply make longer versions!!!
What I don’t love is how many versions there are. I get it, chart position manipulation and streaming manipulation, but man how many versions can one persons buy…
Thanks, ING! I agree with you too about questioning the many versions. Far too many from our favorite artists. Cash Grabs and overexposers! I always commend your rightonthemoney opinions, ING!
Have a terrific weekend!
Jeff
Here’s my bottom line: I get the desire for chart positions because that’s the system to beat now. But don’t fleece the fans.
Well said Jeff! Thanks my friend, have a great weekend yourself!!
I haven’t delved into the new Madonna yet. Laughed reading your last sentence… I kinda always dug what she did on Justify My Love and Erotica even when they first released… total opposite of her earlier albums. I get where you are coming from though 🙂
Thank you , Jeff . Hope you had a fantastic weekend.
Oooh, this really makes my day! Many many thanks for the re-rip Paul. This remix includes alternate vocal parts. The new mix also gives the song a nice different soundscape compared to the album mix. Too bad it wasn’t included on the 25th anniversary edition of ‘Guilty’ back in 2005. But luckily we have you…
Stefano,
Amen to that! Have a nice weekend!
Jeff
Thank you, Stefano! You are right, the alternate vocal parts and different soundscape make this much more than a simple extended version. It is a shame it was left off the 25th anniversary edition of Guilty, especially since it would have been the perfect home for it. I am very happy to give this rare mix a fresh transfer and bring it back into the spotlight. Enjoy!
P.S. Curious to hear your thoughts on the new transfer.
I’ve analyzed your vinyl rip in great detail, replaying some sections several times. It really sounds like you’re listening to the master tape. What else is there to say: fantastic job, Paul! It’s also very clear just how good the Concorde Black Ortofon stylus really is when you compare it with your earlier rips of this 12 inch using your old styli. I don’t think you can improve the tracking quality in any meaningful way anymore. It simply doesn’t get any better than this – in this price range. The only remaining quality issue for your ripping process, I guess,… Read more »
Thank you so much, Stefano! I really appreciate you taking the time to listen so closely and compare this transfer with my earlier work. The Concorde Music Black has made a noticeable difference, especially with tracking difficult passages and pulling more detail from the grooves. You are absolutely right about off-center pressings. That slow pitch movement can be impossible to ignore once you hear it, especially during sustained vocals, keyboards, or strings. I usually watch the cartridge while the record is spinning. If it is moving noticeably from side to side, I know the pressing is off-center. When there is… Read more »
Wow Stefano. You seem to have excellent, sensitive hearing. I’ve listened to the song several times now, and I’d really be interested to know where you hear the pitch drift. Perhaps you could note down a few timestamps. There is a passage starting at the 3:12 mark with a sustained vocal note, but I can’t detect anything unusual there. I rip vinyl records too, and you’re absolutely right—there’s nothing worse than a bad pressing. To my mind, “off-center” is the least of the evils. Far worse are pressings made with a poor PVC mix or “thin” pressings-those with lower weight… Read more »
Hi Toxicaudio, there’s no pitch drift here, so nothing’s wrong with the ‘Promises’ rip from Paul. I only mentioned off-centred records in the context of the problems you can encounter with vinyl records. Cheers!
Hi Stefano, ok got it, I misinterpreted your post. Cheers.