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."
By the Way
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If some night I seem too lonely
You would stay
Oh and by the way
Have I told you yet that only recently
He moved out on me
Took the towels we stole
From some motel in tennessee
I knew it ...
By the way he began to say:
Love takes time, I'm in a hurry
Anyway that's all yesterday
Let's get back to us
Why worry?
If you try calling by and by
Oh, and by the I thought I mention
You can't stay...
Neath the lights
You don't look a thing like he did
And it's time to play
It's another day
Why can't we make love fall
By the way?
In Barbra Streisand's song By The Way, she begins by asking if she heard correctly that if she was ever feeling alone, the person she's addressing in the song would stay with her. The lyrics then take a turn, as she reveals that her previous partner has just left her and taken with him the towels they stole from a motel in Tennessee. She goes on to say that he was "gone long before he really left," implying that the relationship was already over before the physical act of leaving took place. Streisand then recalls how he used to say that love takes time but also that he was in a hurry, and she suggests that they forget about the past and focus on their present relationship.
What's interesting about these lyrics is the way in which Streisand explores the complexities of relationships. She suggests that sometimes a relationship is over before it's officially over, and that it can be difficult to move on from the past. She also touches on the idea that sometimes people are in a hurry to fall in love, but that true love takes time. The lyrics are filled with interesting details, like the stolen towels from Tennessee, that help to paint a vivid picture of the story Streisand is telling. Ultimately, the song is about making the most of the present and not worrying too much about what has come before.
Line by Line Meaning
By the way did I hear you say
Did you mention earlier that you would stay with me if I ever felt lonely?
If some night I seem too lonely / You would stay
You promised to be there for me if I ever needed someone to be with during a lonely night.
Oh and by the way / Have I told you yet that only recently / He moved out on me / Took the towels we stole / From some motel in Tennessee
In case I haven't mentioned yet, my partner recently left me and even took the towels we stole together from a motel in Tennessee.
He was gone long before he really left / I knew it ...
I had a sense that my partner was emotionally detached from me long before he actually ended things with me.
By the way he began to say: / Love takes time, I'm in a hurry / Anyway that's all yesterday / Let's get back to us / Why worry?
I remember my partner saying that love takes time but he was in a hurry, and dismissed our past issues and urged us to focus on our present together without worries.
If you try calling by and by / Oh, and by the way I thought I mention / You can't stay...
If you ever try to call me in the future, please remember that you can't stay with me since I've moved on and I don't want to mislead you.
Neath the lights / You don't look a thing like he did / And it's time to play / It's another day
I noticed that in the light, you don't look anything like my past partner, and I'm ready to move forward and start a new chapter in my life with you.
Why can't we make love fall / By the way?
Why can't we allow ourselves to fall in love? And by the way, let's take a chance and see where our feelings take us.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, HOLMES LINE OF RECORDS INC
Written by: BARBRA STREISAND, RUPERT HOLMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mickey James
By the way, did I hear you say?
If some night, I seem too lonely
You would stay, oh and by the way
Have I told you yet that only recently
He moved out on me........
Took the towels we stole
From some motel in Tennessee..........
He was gone long before he really left
I knew it.........
By the way, he began to say
Love takes time, I'm in a hurry
Anyway, that's all yesterday
Let's get back to us
Why worry if you try
Calling forever........
Oh, and by the way I thought I mentioned
You can stay...........
Neath the lights
You don't look a thing like he did
And it's time to play
It's another day
Why can't we make love
Fall, by the way?
necktieguy
This song has a haunting sound. There isn't anything Ms. Streisand can't do with that wonderful voice. Thanks for this post. It is spellbinding after the first time anyone listens to it. Love her voice.
necktieguy
A haunting song, beautifully sung by Ms. Streisand. It not only showcases her voice but also reminds us all of some aspect of a lost love. Thanks for this post. I love this song--certainly not a traditional, big orchestra; certainly not a typical singer. She is incredible.
blue crane
her arrangements are always impeccable.
Susan Tyndall
I used to listen to this lovely song many years ago, when I was a teenager. The word play in it is just superb. Her voice is simply flawless..
Gerald Quintana
inimitable, flawless...the voice of the century...
aramanth
Emotive and Evocative.... only Barbra could sing this with so much feeling...
One of many fine moments on Lazy Afternoon.
Bestofthebestforever
One of her greatest vocals. Chills.
Lynn Rose
Poignant lyrics and music. Brilliantly translated by Ms. Streisand.
necktieguy
I like the use of the repetitive phrase "by the way" in multiple meanings. Good song wring technique and carried off brilliantly by Ms. Streisand.
MANILABOY6631
What a voice ! Siempre Viva ! Live forever BS . . in our hearts ..