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."

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

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Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore

Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay

From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow

So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Overall Meaning

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is a beloved Christmas classic, first sung by Judy Garland in the 1944 musical Meet Me In St. Louis before being popularized by many other singers such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Barbra Streisand. The lyrics of the song are filled with hope and nostalgia, capturing the traditional feelings of Christmas. The opening verse sets the tone for the song's message, encouraging listeners to let go of their troubles and to focus on the joy and light of the holiday season. The song's message is amplified in the chorus, which repeats the phrase "have yourself a merry little Christmas" multiple times, encouraging listeners to find happiness and community during the holidays.

The second verse of the song takes listeners back to the past, imagining the good times and memories of the "happy golden days of yore." The verse serves to remind listeners of the joy and love they have experienced in the past, and to highlight the importance of close relationships and friendships during the holidays. This emphasis on memories and relationships is repeated in the third verse, which looks forward to the future and the hope of being together in the years to come. The song's final line, "And have yourself a merry little Christmas now," is a call to action, urging listeners to embrace the holiday spirit and to enjoy the present moment.

Line by Line Meaning

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Wishing you a joyful and delightful Christmas celebration

Let your heart be light
Be free from any burden and enjoy the festivities

From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
May all our worries and problems vanish as we celebrate Christmas

Make the Yuletide gay
Enjoy the festive season and make it a cheerful time

Here we are as in olden days
It feels just like old times when we all gather together for Christmas

Happy golden days of yore
Recalling the joyful and pleasant memories of Christmas past

Faithful friends who are dear to us
Our close and cherished friends who always support us

Gather near to us once more
Come together and celebrate Christmas with us again

Through the years we all will be together
No matter what happens, we will continue to gather and celebrate Christmas every year

If the fates allow
If circumstances permit and we are all able to gather together

So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
Decorate the Christmas tree with a bright and beautiful star at the very top