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."
Don't Believe What You Read
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
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Mix that with charm and style
How you gonna miss
With all the admiration the world is at her feet
She's living for attention when she's spotted on the street
Don't believe it
Don't believe what you read
Don't believe it
Dinner an a movie
I'll just show my face in town
Rumors fly so fast that I don't try to live'em down
Gets old answering questions why and trying to explain
Why I prefer to stay at home with friends and entertain
Don't believe it
Don't believe what you read
Don't believe it
About the life that I lead
To the outside world it's paradise
They'd love to be in my shoes
They don't seem to realize that it's not like in the news
Don't believe it
Don't believe what you read
Don't believe it
About the life that I lead
I just read in the papers that I bought some birds today
Flying all around my house
Just havin' their own sweet way
It makes me feel so foolish 'cause they called my house a cage
But there's nothing I can do
Just puts me in a rage
Don't believe it
Don't believe what you read
Don't believe it
About the life that I lead
Don't believe it
Don't believe what you read
Don't believe it
About the life that we lead
The lyrics of Barbra Streisand's song "Don't Believe What You Read" are meant to address the common misconceptions and rumors that often surround celebrities. The opening lines describe the idea that simply having a "pretty face" and some charisma can make someone extremely successful and admired. However, Barbra warns listeners not to believe everything they read in the media about her life. She explains that she doesn't go out seeking attention or living a wild party lifestyle. Rather, she prefers simple pleasures like dinner and a movie or spending time with friends at home.
Barbra notes that it can be frustrating and exhausting to constantly have to defend her choices to others. The song suggests that the media and society at large often put celebrities on a pedestal, assuming their lives are perfect and enviable, but this can be far from the truth. Barbra seems to be urging listeners not to make assumptions about people based on their public image, and to realize that what they see in the media is often just a facade.
Overall, "Don't Believe What You Read" is a statement of independence and honesty from a well-known artist about the realities of life in the public eye. It encourages listeners to think critically about the messages they are receiving from the media and to approach celebrity culture with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Line by Line Meaning
They say her pretty face is enough to launch a ship
People talk about how physically attractive she is, as if it were a superpower.
Mix that with charm and style
Combined with her charismatic personality and fashion sense, she seems unstoppable.
How you gonna miss
It's hard to ignore or overlook her presence, given her looks and personality.
With all the admiration the world is at her feet
She receives a great deal of attention from many people all around the world, because of her looks and personality.
She's living for attention when she's spotted on the street
When people see her in public, she gets a thrill from being recognized and admired.
Don't believe it
Her message is that people should not trust everything they hear or read about her.
About the life that I lead
She is specifically talking about how her personal life is portrayed in the media.
Dinner an a movie
She enjoys simple activities like going out to eat and watching a film.
I'll just show my face in town
She avoids staying at home all the time, and likes to be seen in public places.
Rumors fly so fast that I don't try to live'em down
There are always gossip and speculation about her life, and it's too difficult to refute them all.
Gets old answering questions why and trying to explain
She's tired of having to justify her actions and decisions to the public.
Why I prefer to stay at home with friends and entertain
She likes to keep her personal life private, and feel more comfortable with close friends around her.
To the outside world it's paradise
Her life looks perfect and ideal from an outsider's perspective.
They'd love to be in my shoes
Many people envy her lifestyle and wish they could experience it themselves.
They don't seem to realize that it's not like in the news
The media often portrays her life inaccurately, and people should not assume that it's all true.
I just read in the papers that I bought some birds today
There are strange and untrue rumors being spread about her that she doesn't understand or find amusing.
Flying all around my house
The rumor says that she has birds flying loose in her home, which is ridiculous and untrue.
Just havin' their own sweet way
The birds are depicted as having free range and control over her house, which is humorous and absurd.
It makes me feel so foolish 'cause they called my house a cage
The rumor tries to paint her as a cruel owner who keeps the birds locked up, which is untrue and hurtful.
But there's nothing I can do
She feels powerless against the media and rumors, and can do nothing to prevent them from spreading.
Just puts me in a rage
The inaccurate and false information being spread about her makes her angry and upset.
About the life that we lead
She wants everyone to understand that even celebrities have personal lives that they would like to keep private and protected.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt