All That I Want
Barbra Streisand Lyrics


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I want a gown of diamonds
Long gloves and sweet perfumes
Hats made of silks and satins
Seaqueens and ostrich plums
I want to wear mascara
Polish my nails real bright
I want to be an actress
Actresses play all night
If I should sneeze it's a sign
All that I want to will be mine
Oh please, pretty, please
Dear nose make me sneeze
I want to find my true love
Like all the love songs say
I want to do what I want
I want to get my way
Wild dreams grow wise
When sweet childhood flies
Time waved a hand
And the breeze blue the sand from my eyes
I want a gown of kingdom
Diamonds would weigh me down
Pompoms and plums are pretty
If you're a circus clown
Funny how black mascara
Streaks when the tears begin
Nail polish, rouge and powder
Can't paint the sparkle in
Once I was slaved to a sneeze
Now sneezing is just a disease
A rose is a rose
And a nose just a nose
True love's a phrase for love songs
Real love's a leaving thing
I want the love worth living
I want the things I sing




I want the love worth living
I want the things I sing

Overall Meaning

The song "All That I Want" by Barbra Streisand is a reflection of the desires and dreams of the artist. Streisand sings about wanting luxurious ensembles, sweet smells, and beautiful accessories such as hats made of silks and satins, seaqueens, and ostrich plumes. She desires to be an actress and live a glamorous life which is again portrayed by her wish to wear mascara, to polish her nails really bright, and to play all night. She believes that sneezing is like a sign which could make all her wishes come true.


Streisand also sings about wanting to find her true love, just like all the love songs say. She wants to do what she wants and get her way. However, as she grows older, she realizes that wild dreams of childhood become wise in time. She understands that true love is not just a phrase for love songs but something which is felt within. She desires to have love worth living and possess things and feelings that she sings about.


In conclusion, "All That I Want" reflects Streisand's desires and her dreams of living a glamorous life, the desire to find her true love, and to get what she wants. However, as she grows older, she realizes that true love is a leaving thing and that love worth living is what she truly desires.


Line by Line Meaning

I want a gown of diamonds
I desire a magnificent dress adorned with diamonds


Long gloves and sweet perfumes
I long for delicate gloves and perfumes that have a pleasant scent


Hats made of silks and satins
I am enthralled by headwear crafted from luxurious materials


Seaqueens and ostrich plums
I am fascinated by sea royalty and decorative feathers from ostriches


I want to wear mascara
I yearn to apply dark makeup on my eyelashes


Polish my nails real bright
I wish to paint my fingernails with vivid colors


I want to be an actress
I aspire to become a performer on stage or screen


Actresses play all night
Actresses have the opportunity to work and play during nighttime hours


If I should sneeze it's a sign
I believe that sneezing is an omen or signal


All that I want to will be mine
I am confident that my desires will manifest into reality


Oh please, pretty, please
I plead earnestly for what I crave


Dear nose make me sneeze
My nasal passages, I beseech you to cause me to sneeze


I want to find my true love
I crave discovering my soulmate and being in a loving relationship


Like all the love songs say
Similar to the lyrics of romantic songs


I want to do what I want
I yearn for autonomy and the choice to pursue what I desire


I want to get my way
I wish to have things go according to my desires and plans


Wild dreams grow wise
Unrealistic aspirations become more sensible and practical over time


When sweet childhood flies
As one grows older and mature, their innocent and carefree childhood memories fade away


Time waved a hand
The passage of time has an effect on all aspects of life


And the breeze blew the sand from my eyes
Life experiences allow me to see things more clearly and shed my naivety


I want a gown of kingdom
I desire a dress fit for royalty


Diamonds would weigh me down
Precious gems would impose a heavy burden upon me


Pompoms and plums are pretty
Decorative objects such as fluffy balls and colorful fruit are pleasing to the eye


If you're a circus clown
These objects may be more suitable for someone in a circus or festive context


Funny how black mascara
It is amusing how mascara, a cosmetic product designed to enhance beauty, can create a streak when mixed with tears


Streaks when the tears begin
Tears can cause mascara to smear and create streaks


Nail polish, rouge and powder
Beauty products like nail polish, blush, and powder


Can't paint the sparkle in
However, they cannot recreate the inner radiance and energy that comes from within


Once I was slaved to a sneeze
I used to be obsessed with causing myself to sneeze


Now sneezing is just a disease
However, I now recognize that sneezing is merely a medical condition rather than a good or bad omen


A rose is a rose
Things are what they are and cannot be changed or altered


And a nose just a nose
Similarly, a nose is simply a nose and nothing more


True love's a phrase for love songs
The term 'true love' is often used in romantic music and lyrics


Real love's a leaving thing
However, true love also involves allowing someone to depart and grow independently


I want the love worth living
I want to experience a love that is significant and meaningful


I want the things I sing
I desire everything I write or sing about in my songs




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