Barbra Streisand (born Barbara Joan Streisand; April 24, 1942 Brooklyn, Ne… Read Full Bio ↴Barbra Streisand (born Barbara Joan Streisand; April 24, 1942 Brooklyn, New York), is an Academy Award-winning American singer, theater and film actress, composer, film producer, and director. She has won Oscars for Best Actress and Best Original Song as well as multiple Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and an honorary Tony Award. She received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor on December 7, 2008. She is the most successful female recording artist according to the Recording Industry Assoc. of America (RIAA).

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."

Hallelujah
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song Hallelujah by Barbra Streisand are a reflection of the artist's drive to achieve excellence. The opening lines of the song, "Being good isn't good enough, Being good won't be good enough," convey the artist's discontent with the idea of settling for mediocrity. Instead, Streisand expresses her need to "fly extra high" and "be the best or nothing at all."

The song Hallelujah is an anthem of self-determination, urging listeners to push past their perceived limits and strive for greatness. Streisand ponders the questions of whether she is "strong enough" and if she has "long enough," acknowledging the challenges that come with achieving one's dreams. However, she ultimately concludes that there is "no other way" for her, and if she falls, "that's the way it's gotta be."

In summary, the lyrics of Hallelujah affirm the message that mediocrity is not an option and that we must have the courage to aim for the stars, even if we risk falling short.

Line by Line Meaning

Being good isn't good enough
Merely being good is insufficient

Being good won't be good enough
Being just good is not going to suffice

When I fly, I must fly extra high
When I soar, I must ascend to great heights

And I'll need special wings so far to go
I will require exceptional resources to reach my destination

From so far below
Starting from such a low place

Should I try?
Is it worth attempting?

Am I strong enough?
Do I possess the necessary strength?

Is there time, have I long enough?
Do I have adequate time to succeed?

Gotta fly and if I fall
I must take flight and even if I fail

That's the way it's gotta be
That is how it must happen

There's no other way for me
I have no other path to follow