Barbra Streisand (born Barbara Joan Streisand; April 24, 1942 Brooklyn, Ne… Read Full Bio ↴Barbra Streisand (born Barbara Joan Streisand; April 24, 1942 Brooklyn, New York), is an Academy Award-winning American singer, theater and film actress, composer, film producer, and director. She has won Oscars for Best Actress and Best Original Song as well as multiple Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and an honorary Tony Award. She received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor on December 7, 2008. She is the most successful female recording artist according to the Recording Industry Assoc. of America (RIAA).

Barbra Streisand has recorded more than 60 albums, almost all with Columbia Records. Her early works in the 1960s (her debut The Barbra Streisand Album which won two Grammy Awards in 1963, followed by The Second Barbra Streisand Album, The Third Album, My Name Is Barbra, etc.) are considered classic renditions of theater and nightclub standards, including her version of Happy Days Are Here Again. Beginning with My Name Is Barbra, her albums were often medley-filled keepsakes of her television specials.

Starting in 1969, Streisand tackled contemporary songwriters; like many talented singers of the day, she found herself a fish out of water in attempts to tackle rock, but her vocal talents prevailed and she gained newfound success with the pop and ballad-oriented Richard Perry-produced album Stoney End in 1971. The title track, written by Laura Nyro, was a big hit for Streisand.

Streisand's 1980 album, Guilty featured the songwriting, production and vocal talents of Barry Gibb and was the best-selling album of her recording career. During the 1970s, she was also highly prominent in the pop charts, with number-one records like The Way We Were, Evergreen, No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (her duet with Donna Summer), and Woman In Love; some of these came from soundtracks of her films. She recently took part in supporting Haiti in singing "We are the World 25th anniversary.

When the 1970s ended, Streisand was named the most successful female singer in the U.S. - only Elvis Presley and The Beatles having sold more albums. [1]

[1] In 1982, New York Times music critic Stephen Holden wrote that Streisand was "the most influential mainstream American pop singer since Frank Sinatra."

Alfie
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What's it all about
Alfie

Is it just for the moment we live
What's it all about
When you sort it out
Alfie

Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind
And if only fools are kind
Alfie

Then I guess
It is wise to be cruel
And if life belongs
Only to the strong
Alfie

What will you lend on
An old golden rule
As sure as I believe
There's a heaven above
Alfie

I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers
Can believe in
I believe in love

Alfie
Without true love you just exist
Alfie

Until you find the love you've missed
You're nothing
Alfie

When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day
Alfie

Alfie
Alfie

Overall Meaning

Barbra Streisand's song Alfie is a reflective ballad that questions the meaning of life and love. The opening lines introduce the titular character and the philosophical inquiry into the essence of life. The lyrics ask whether life is just a fleeting moment or if there is something more substantial that we should be striving for. The main theme of the song is the search for the deeper meaning of life, and as the lyrics unfold, we are led to consider the value of kindness, cruelty, and strength in achieving that meaning.

The refrain asks, "What's it all about, Alfie?" and seeks to know if life is about taking more than we give or if it's about being kind. The lyrics suggest that if only fools are kind, then it is wise to be cruel, and if life belongs only to the strong, then what value is there in the old golden rule? The singer then reveals her belief in something more profound than the cynical worldview presented in the song. She emphasizes her faith in love and its transformative power.

The song's message is that without true love, life is merely an existence. The lyrics urge Alfie and listeners to allow their hearts to lead the way in their search for love and meaning, and to keep searching until they find the love they've missed. In essence, the song argues that love is the key to unlocking the deeper meaning and purpose of life.

Line by Line Meaning

What's it all about Alfie
What is the purpose of life?

Is it just for the moment we live What's it all about When you sort it out Alfie
Is life fleeting, and if so, what is the point of it all?

Are we meant to take more than we give Or are we meant to be kind And if only fools are kind Alfie
Is life about selfishness or kindness, or some combination of both?

Then I guess It is wise to be cruel And if life belongs Only to the strong Alfie
If life is about survival of the fittest, then being cruel and ruthless is the best approach to succeed.

What will you lend on An old golden rule
What moral principles will guide one's actions and decisions?

As sure as I believe There's a heaven above Alfie
The singer believes in an afterlife or higher power.

I know there's something much more Something even non-believers Can believe in I believe in love
There is a universal human experience that even those who do not believe in a higher power can relate to- love.

Alfie Without true love you just exist
Love is essential for true happiness.

Alfie Until you find the love you've missed You're nothing
Without finding love, life is empty and meaningless.

Alfie When you walk let your heart lead the way And you'll find love any day Alfie
To find love, one must listen to their heart and take chances.

Alfie Alfie Alfie
The singer is addressing the titular character, encouraging him to seek out love and meaning in life.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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