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 Good Isn't Good Enough
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Being good won't be good enough
When I fly, I must fly extra high
And I'll need special wings so far to go
From so far below
Should I try?
Am I strong enough?
Gotta fly and if I fall
That's the way it's gotta be
There's no other way for me
Being good just won't be good enough
I'll be the best or nothing at all
I'll try, am I strong enough?
Is there time, have I long enough?
Gotta fly and if I fall
Then that's the way it's gotta be
There's no other way for me
Being good just won't be good enough
I'll be the best or nothing at all
In the song "Being Good Isn't Good Enough," Barbra Streisand sings about the pursuit of excellence and the drive to be the best. The lyrics convey a sense of determination to reach beyond the limits of what is considered "good enough" and to strive for greatness.
Throughout the song, Streisand questions her own abilities and wonders if she is strong enough to achieve her goals. She acknowledges the risk of failure and the possibility of falling, but ultimately decides that being "good" will not suffice. She must be the best or nothing at all.
The lines "And I'll need special wings so far to go, From so far below" suggest that Streisand feels like she is starting from a position of disadvantage. However, she is determined to overcome any obstacles and rise above her current circumstances.
Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the desire to excel and the willingness to take risks in order to achieve greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
Being good isn't good enough
Merely being good is not sufficient in reaching one's goals
Being good won't be good enough
Being excellent is the only path to success
When I fly, I must fly extra high
To succeed, one must aim higher than what is expected
And I'll need special wings so far to go
Extraordinary effort and capabilities are required to attain greater goals
From so far below
One must start at the bottom and climb up to reach greater heights
Should I try?
Questioning one's ability to reach their goals
Am I strong enough?
Doubting one's own strength to achieve their aims
Is there time, have I long enough?
Wondering if there is enough time to achieve one's goals
Gotta fly and if I fall
Must take a chance and risk failure
That's the way it's gotta be
Accepting the consequences of taking risks
There's no other way for me
Believing that this is the only path to success
Being good just won't be good enough
Excellence is required to achieve one's goals
I'll be the best or nothing at all
In striving for success, one must aim to be the best or not try at all
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADOLPH GREEN, BETTY COMDEN, JULE STYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Just another view
Being good isn't good enough
Being good won't be good enough
When I fly, I must fly extra high
And I'll need special wings so far to go
From so far below
Should I try?
Am I strong enough?
Is there time, have I long enough?
Gotta fly and if I fall
That's the way it's gotta be
There's no other way for me
Being good just won't be good enough
I'll be the best or nothing at all
I'll try, am I strong enough?
Is there time, have I long enough?
Gotta fly and if I fall
That's the way it's gotta be
There's no other way for me
Being good just won't be good enough
I'll be the best or nothing at all
sleep is for the weak
I'm gonna be honest. I'm here because of been binge watching Glee on Netflix. Beautiful song. Love Barbra Streisand and Lea Michele 💚
Snarky Enigma
To even include Lea Michelle's name in the same sentence as Barbra Streisand is laughable. #badkaraoke
Damien Reed
Look up Leslie Uggems.
Lisa Zabriskie
Right! I wish they’d have performed together
TR Goohileshea
She hits the dissonant note that Lea doesn't in Glee. The first example of it is at 2:08. Lea rounds it out and takes the easy way. It's not an easy not to hit in the melodic arrangement, but Barbra hits it without blinking, like she does everything. Perfection. There isn't a sharp or flat note in this entire arrangement. It's all spot on.
TR Goohileshea
@DANIEL PETERS I'm saying she doesn't. Maybe she could, but it's an awkward note to hit and Barbra does it without blinking.
DANIEL PETERS
Are you saying Lea can't hit the note??
Red Road Express
Damn this woman's voice is pure magic
Just another view
Being good isn't good enough
Being good won't be good enough
When I fly, I must fly extra high
And I'll need special wings so far to go
From so far below
Should I try?
Am I strong enough?
Is there time, have I long enough?
Gotta fly and if I fall
That's the way it's gotta be
There's no other way for me
Being good just won't be good enough
I'll be the best or nothing at all
I'll try, am I strong enough?
Is there time, have I long enough?
Gotta fly and if I fall
That's the way it's gotta be
There's no other way for me
Being good just won't be good enough
I'll be the best or nothing at all
Noe Berengena
Classic Streisand. She soars when singing long sustained notes. This ballad gives her lots of room to demonstrate her vocal gifts. Some of you will appreciate that the song comes from the musical "Hallelujah, Baby!" which premiered on Broadway in 1967 with music by Jule Styne (who also wrote the music for Funny Girl). The show was "the story of the African American struggle for equality in the first half of the 20th century." The musical made a young Leslie Uggams a star. Look for that on YouTube and you WILL NOT be disappointed. Her singing is spectacular.