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."
But Beautiful
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
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Or it's quiet, or it's mad
It's a good thing, or it's bad,
But beautiful . . .
Beautiful to take a chance,
And if you fall, you fall
And I'm thinkin'
I wouldn't mind at all . . .
It's a problem, or it's play
It's a heartache either way,
But beautiful . . .
And I'm thinkin' if you were mine,
I'd never let you go,
And that would be just beautiful I know
Beautiful to take a chance,
And if you fall, you fall
And I'm thinkin'
I wouldn't mind at all . . .
Love is tearful, or it's gay,
It's a problem, or it's play
It's a heartache either way,
But beautiful . . .
And I'm thinking if you were mine
I would never let you go!
And that would be so beautiful. . . .
Yes, that would be but beautiful . . .
I know!
The song "But Beautiful," by Barbra Streisand, is a heartwarming tribute to the complex emotional nuances of love. The lyrics describe the many different ways love can manifest itself, ranging from the joyful to the sorrowful, the confusing to the blissful. The singer acknowledges that love can be a source of heartache, but ultimately sees it as a beautiful thing worth taking a chance on.
The opening lines of the song capture the song’s central message: "Love is funny, or it's sad, / Or it's quiet, or it's mad / It's a good thing, or it's bad, / But beautiful . . ." The singer recognizes that love can take on many different forms, but ultimately sees it as a beautiful thing regardless of its ups and downs. As the song progresses, the singer muses about the various ways love can be experienced. She sings, "Love is tearful, or it's gay, / It's a problem, or it's play / It's a heartache either way, / But beautiful . . ." This line captures the bittersweet nature of love - even when it's difficult, it remains beautiful.
The repeated line "And I'm thinkin'" throughout the song conveys a sense of contemplation and introspection. The singer is contemplating the various possibilities of love and what it might look like in her life. Ultimately, she concludes, "I'm thinking if you were mine / I would never let you go! / And that would be so beautiful. . . . / Yes, that would be but beautiful . . . / I know!" This final sentiment encapsulates the song's message: love can be difficult, but finding someone who you never want to let go of is truly beautiful.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is funny, or it's sad, Or it's quiet, or it's mad It's a good thing, or it's bad, But beautiful . . .
Love is full of contradictions, it can be happy or sad, it can be calm or chaotic, it can be positive or negative, but despite all that, it is still beautiful.
Beautiful to take a chance, And if you fall, you fall And I'm thinkin' I wouldn't mind at all . . .
It is beautiful to take a risk in love, even if it means the possibility of getting hurt, as she wouldn't mind the fall if the chance was worth it.
Love is tearful, or it's gay, It's a problem, or it's play It's a heartache either way, But beautiful . . .
Love can bring tears or joy, it can bring difficulties or fun, it can lead to heartbreak, yet despite it all, it is beautiful.
And I'm thinkin' if you were mine, I'd never let you go, And that would be just beautiful I know
She imagines if the person she loves was hers, she would never let them go, and that would be a beautiful thing she is sure of.
And I'm thinking if you were mine I would never let you go! And that would be so beautiful. . . .
Again, she thinks of how beautiful it would be if the person she loves belonged to her, as she would cherish and never let them go.
Yes, that would be but beautiful . . . I know!
She concludes that having someone she loves and never letting them go, despite any challenges, would indeed be beautiful and she is certain of it.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt