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."
Answer Me
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
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Does it take a while
Before you smile?
Are your dreams like premonitions
Have you lived them through?
Some people do
I hope you'll answer me
No hurried words, foolish or wise
Answer me
Answer me with soft silent touches
They'll tell me as much as I need to know
Answer me with deep and restful sleeping
And if you dream in sleep
They're yours to keep
No you need not answer me
If we must part
Should someone ask
Who's touched your heart
Perhaps you'll answer me
The song "Answer Me" by Barbra Streisand talks about a person's behavior and questions if they are slow to wake up and if it takes a while before they can smile. The lyrics ask if their dreams are like premonitions and have they lived through them because some individuals do. The lyrics hope to receive an answer from the person with patience in their eyes and not haste in their words. The song's protagonist then asks the person to answer with soft silent touches because they will tell them just as much as they need to know. They also ask for deep and restful sleeping and that they're theirs to keep if they dream in their sleep. The song ends with the singer stating that the person doesn't need to answer them, but if they must part ways, and someone asks who touched their heart, perhaps they will answer with the singer's name.
The lyrics of the song portray a sense of curiosity and intimacy. The singer of the song asks various questions about the person they are singing to discerning if they can understand them better. They ask to be answered through silence and touch, which shows that sometimes words may not always be necessary to communicate. The mention of dreams gives a serene quality to the song, depicting hope and promises of a peaceful sleep. The song appears to be about a person understanding themselves and someone discovering more about them through subtle acts of intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you wake up very slowly?
Do you awaken gradually due to anxiety, depression, or other issues?
Does it take a while before you smile
Does it take some time for you to feel happy and bring a smile on your face?
Are your dreams like premonitions
Are your dreams like a forecast or signal of the future events?
Have you lived them through
Have you already experienced these future events in your dreams as if they were real?
Some people do
Some individuals have prescient dreams.
I hope you'll answer me with patient eyes
I desire you to respond to me with a calm and composed face.
No hurried words, foolish or wise
Please don't respond hastily, whether your words are knowledgeable or not.
Answer me, answer me with soft silent touches
Please answer me with gentle, quiet actions.
They'll tell me as much as i need to know
These actions will convey enough information.
Answer me with deep and restful sleeping
Please give me the sign of peaceful deep sleep.
And if you dream in sleep
And if you dream in your restful slumber,
They're yours to keep
They are solely yours to retain.
No you need not answer me
You genuinely do not have to respond to me.
If we must part
If we have to say goodbye to each other.
Should someone ask
If someone inquires
Who's touched your heart
Who has influenced you emotionally?
Perhaps you'll answer me
Maybe you will choose to reply to me.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Barbra Streisand, Paul H. Williams, Kenneth Lee Ascher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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