Listen, I got thirty-six expressions
Sweet as pie, to tough as leather
And that's six expressions more
Than all them Barrymores put together

Instead of just kicking me
Why don't they give me a lift?
It must be a plot
'Cause they're scared that I got
Such a gift
Well, I'm miffed

'Cause I'm the greatest star
I am by far, but no one knows it
Wait, they're gonna hear a voice
A silver flute, oh, oh, oh, oh
They'll cheer each toot
Yay, she's terrific
When I expose it
Now, can't you see to look at me
That I'm a natural Camille?
As Camille I just feel
I've so much to offer
Kid, I know I'd be divine
Because I'm a natural cougher

Some ain't got it, not a lump
I'm a great big clump of talent
Laugh
They'll bend in half
Did you ever hear the story about the traveling salesman?
A thousand jokes
Stick around for the jokes
A thousand faces
I reiterate

When you're gifted
Then you're gifted
These are facts
I got no axe to grind
Hey, what are they, blind?
In all of the world so far
I'm the greatest star

Who is the pip with pizzazz?
Who is all ginger and jazz?
Who is as glamorous as?
Who's an American beauty rose
With an American beauty nose
And ten American beauty toes
Eyes on the target, and wham
One shot, one gun shot and bam!
Hey, Mr. Ziegfeld, here I am!

I'm the greatest star
I am by far
But no one knows it
That's why I was born
I'll blow my horn
'Til someone blows it
I'll light up like a light
Right up like a light
I'll flicker, then flare up
All the world's gonna stare up
Lookin' down, you'll never see me
Try the sky, 'cause that'll be me
I can make 'em cry
I can make 'em sigh
Someday they'll clamor for my drama
Have you guessed yet
Who's the best yet?
If you ain't, I'll tell you one more time
You bet your last dime
In all of the world so far
I'm the greatest, greatest star

Overall Meaning

In the song "I'm the Greatest Star" by Barbra Streisand, the singer is expressing their confidence and belief in their own talent. They compare themselves to the people in Baltimore, saying that they have 36 expressions that are sweet and tough, which is more than all of those people put together. The singer feels that they are being held back by others, who don't recognize their gift. Despite this, the singer knows that they are destined for greatness and will not rest until everyone in the world sees them as the greatest star.

Throughout the song, the singer talks about their many talents and the various ways in which they will make their mark on the world. They compare themselves to various famous people, including Camille and American Beauty. They use hyperbole to emphasize their dramatic and attention-grabbing qualities, saying that they can make people cry and they will break the lights.

Line by Line Meaning

I got 36 expressions!
I have a wide array of emotions and ways of expressing myself.

Sweet as pie to tough as leather
I can be charming and kind, or I can be strong and resilient.

And that's 36 expressions more than all those Baltimores put together.
I have more range and versatility than anyone from Baltimore.

So 'stead of just kicking me why don't they give me a lift?
Instead of trying to bring me down, why don't they offer their support?

Well, it must be a plot!
They must be conspiring against me.

'Cause they're scared that I got...such a gift?
They're intimidated by my talent.

Well, I'll nift.
Well, I'll show them!

Cause I'm The Greatest Star I am by far! But no one knows it--WAIT!
I'm the best performer out there, but nobody realizes it yet.

They're gonna hear a voice A silver flute (ah ah ah ah) They'll cheer each toot (Yeah, that kids terrific, mmm)
When they hear me sing, they'll be amazed and excited.

When I expose it (Now can't ya see to look at me that) I'm a natural Camille.
When I show off my talent, it's obvious that I'm a natural performer.

As Camille I just feel I've so much to offer (Now listen Mr. Z I know I'd be divine because)
When I'm in character as Camille, I feel like I have so much to offer as a performer.

I'm a natural cough (ahoo, aheh, ahay) Some ain't got it, not a lot I'm a great big clump of talent Laugh! (ha ha ha ha)
I have a natural cough that adds character to my performances. Not everyone has that kind of unique talent.

They'll bend in half A thousand jokes (Stick around for the jokes!) A thousand faces I reiterate
I can make people laugh with countless jokes and facial expressions.

When ya gifted, then ya gifted These are facts I've got no acts to parade Hey, what ya blind?
When you have natural talent, it's just a fact. I don't need to put on a show to prove it.

In all of the world so far I'm the greatest star
As far as I know, I'm the best performer in the whole world.

Who is the pip with pizzas? Who is all ginger and jazz? Who is as glamorous as? Who's an American beauty rose? With an American beauty NOSE!!! And ten American beauty toes?
I'm asking you, who else is as unique and talented as me?

Eyes on the target and wham One shot on gun shot and BAM! Hey hey hey hey world! Here I am!
I'm ready to take on the world and show off my talent.

I gotta break the lights I'm gonna make 'em fight I'll flicker and flare up! All of the world's gonna star up! Looking down you'll never see me, Try the sky cause that'll be me!
I'm going to shine so brightly that the whole world will take notice. You won't find anyone else as talented and ambitious as me.

I can make 'em cry! I can make 'em sigh! Someday they'll clamor for my drama Have ya guessed YET! Who's the best yet?
I can evoke strong emotions from my audience, and I know that someday they'll be begging for more of my performances.

If ya late I'll tell ya one more time You bet ya last dime In all of the world so far I am the greatest, greatest Star!
I'll say it again - I'm the greatest performer in the world. You can bet all your money on it.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it