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."
Grandma
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
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Grandma's hands, played the tambourine so well
Grandma's hand used to issue out a warning
She'd say, "Baby, don't you run so fast
Might fall on a piece of glass, might be snakes there in my grass"
Grandma's hands, I'm talkin' 'bout my grandma's hands
My grandma's hands used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma's hands used to lift her face
And tell her she'd say, "Baby, grandma understands
But you really loved that man and put herself in Jesus' hands"
Grandma's hands, yeah, I'm talking, I'm talking 'bout my grandma, yeah
Grandma's hands used to hand me a piece of candy
Grandma's hands, picked me up each time I fell
Grandma's hands, boy, they really came in handy
She'd say, "Nettie, don't you whip that girl
What you wanna spank her for she didn't drop no apple-core"
But I don' have grandma anymore
If I get to Heaven I'll look for grandma's hands
I'm talking 'bout my grandma, talking 'bout my grandma, oh yeah
I'm talking 'bout my grandma, I'm talking 'bout my grandma, yeah
Grandma, grandma, I'm talking 'bout my grandma
The song "Grandma's Hands" by Barbra Streisand is a touching tribute to a grandmother who played a significant role in the singer's life. The lyrics paint the picture of a woman with a strong personality and warm motherly affection for her grandchildren. The opening lines of the song "Grandma's hands clapped in church on Sunday morning" evoke memories of the grandmother's faith and love for church-going. Streisand, through the subsequent lyrics, talks about how her grandmother used to play the tambourine so skillfully, and how she used to warn her not to run too fast or to be careful of the possibility of snakes.
Streisand goes on to talk about how her grandmother was known for her compassion for unwed mothers in the community, and how her hands would sometimes ache and swell. Despite her pain, her grandmother's hands would still lift her face and encourage her with a reminder that Jesus would take care of her. The memories continue as the singer recalls how her grandmother's hands would pass candy to her and how they would lift her each time she fell. The final verse ends on a poignant note, with Streisand lamenting that she no longer has her grandmother with her, but if she were able to go to Heaven, she would look for her grandmother's hands.
Line by Line Meaning
Grandma's hands, clapped in church on Sunday morning
Grandma's hands expressed joy and gratitude as she clapped in church on Sunday mornings
Grandma's hands, played the tambourine so well
Grandma's hands were so skilled that she played the tambourine beautifully
Grandma's hand used to issue out a warning
Grandma's hands were a way for her to communicate a cautionary message
She'd say, "Baby, don't you run so fast
Might fall on a piece of glass, might be snakes there in my grass"
Grandma warned her grandchildren to be careful and not to run too fast, as there could be danger such as broken glass or snakes in the grass
Grandma's hands, I'm talkin' 'bout my grandma's hands
The singer is emphasizing that she is referring specifically to her grandma's hands
Grandma's hands, soothed the local unwed mother
Grandma's hands were comforting and provided solace for unwed mothers in the community
My grandma's hands used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma's hands would sometimes experience pain and swelling
Grandma's hands used to lift her face
And tell her she'd say, "Baby, grandma understands
But you really loved that man and put herself in Jesus' hands"
Grandma's hands lifted the singer's face and conveyed empathy and understanding, even when she held a challenging situation. Grandma offered spiritual guidance by telling her to entrust herself to Jesus
Grandma's hands, yeah, I'm talking, I'm talking 'bout my grandma, yeah
Again, the singer clarifies that she is only referring to her own grandmother's hands
Grandma's hands used to hand me a piece of candy
Grandma was affectionate and generous, often giving her grandchildren treats
Grandma's hands, picked me up each time I fell
Grandma was always available to help the singer when she fell down or needed assistance
Grandma's hands, boy, they really came in handy
Grandma's hands were incredibly useful and helpful in many situations
She'd say, "Nettie, don't you whip that girl
What you wanna spank her for she didn't drop no apple-core"
Grandma would defend her grandchildren, even if they were about to be punished for something they didn't do
But I don' have grandma anymore
If I get to Heaven I'll look for grandma's hands
The singer laments the loss of her grandmother and hopes to see her again in the afterlife
I'm talking 'bout my grandma, talking 'bout my grandma, oh yeah
I'm talking 'bout my grandma, I'm talking 'bout my grandma, yeah
Grandma, grandma, I'm talking 'bout my grandma
The singer continues to emphasize her feelings of affection and admiration for her grandmother
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt