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."
Being Alive
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone to hurt you too deep
Someone to sit in your chair
And ruin your sleep
And make you aware of being alive
Someone to need you too much
Someone to know you too well
And put you through hell
And give you support for being alive, being alive
Make me alive, make me confused
Mock me with praise, let me be used
Vary my days, but alone is alone, not alive!
Somebody hold me too close
Somebody force me to care
Somebody make me come through
I'll always be there
As frightened as you of being alive
Being alive, being alive!
Someone you have to let in
Someone whose feelings you spare
Someone who, like it or not
Will want you to share a little, a lot of being alive
Make me alive, make me confused
Mock me with praise, let me be used
Vary my days, but alone is alone, not alive!
Somebody crowd me with love
Somebody force me to care
Somebody make me come through
I'll always be there
Frightened as you to help us survive,
Being alive, being alive, being alive, being alive
In Barbra Streisand's song Being Alive, the lyrics convey a sense of longing for meaningful connections with others. The song expresses the desire for someone to hold you close, hurt you deeply, and sit in your chair - all experiences that make you aware of being alive. The lyrics suggest that having someone who needs and knows you too well is necessary to truly feel alive. The song acknowledges that being alive can be a painful experience, and that having someone to support you through the difficult times is vital to surviving the challenges of life.
At the core of the song is a sense of yearning for connection that is both deep and authentic. The lyrics hint at the idea that being alone is not enough, and that true fulfillment can only come from relationships with others who challenge and support us. The song speaks to the human need for love, intimacy, and a sense of purpose, and suggests that without these things, life can feel empty and meaningless.
Overall, Being Alive is a powerful and deeply affecting song that speaks to the universal human longing for connection and meaning. The lyrics are poignant and thought-provoking, and the melody is hauntingly beautiful. This song has become a classic in the American musical theater canon, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone to hold you too close
A desire to be held and comforted, but not to the point of feeling suffocated.
Someone to hurt you too deep
The need for emotional intensity, even if that means experiencing pain.
Someone to sit in your chair
Wanting a sense of home and familiarity with someone who truly knows you.
And ruin your sleep
Knowing that finding true love can bring anxiety and tension.
And make you aware of being alive
Wanting to feel the full spectrum of emotions that life can offer, both the good and the bad.
Someone to need you too much
A desire to be important in someone's life, but not to the point of feeling smothered or suffocated.
Someone to know you too well
The need for authentic connection and intimacy, without fear of being judged or rejected.
Someone to pull you up short
The need for someone to challenge you or hold you accountable.
And put you through hell
Understanding that a deep connection with someone can push you to uncomfortable places, mentally and emotionally.
And give you support for being alive, being alive
The importance of having someone to lean on during both the highs and lows of life.
Make me alive, make me confused
The desire to feel a full range of emotions, even if it means experiencing confusion and uncertainty.
Mock me with praise, let me be used
The willingness to be vulnerable in the pursuit of love, even if that means being taken advantage of or hurt.
Vary my days, but alone is alone, not alive!
Acknowledging that while independence is important, a life without meaningful human connection is not truly living.
Someone you have to let in
The necessity of allowing yourself to be vulnerable and open to others.
Someone whose feelings you spare
The importance of being considerate of others' emotions.
Someone who, like it or not
The understanding that true love may not always be easy or convenient.
Will want you to share a little, a lot of being alive
Understanding that a true connection with someone can enrich your life, even if it means sharing difficult experiences.
Somebody crowd me with love
The need to feel enveloped by the love and care of others.
Somebody force me to care
Hoping to find someone who motivates you to be a better person.
Somebody make me come through
The desire for a partner who helps you overcome difficult challenges and encourages you to persevere.
I'll always be there
A promise to remain committed to a meaningful relationship, even during tough times.
Frightened as you to help us survive,
Acknowledging that the challenges of love are daunting for everyone, but it is worth pursuing anyway.
Being alive, being alive, being alive, being alive
The refrain, repeated four times, emphasizes the importance of truly living and experiencing all that life has to offer, both the ups and the downs.
Lyrics Ā© BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt