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."
Hellacious Acres
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Billboards everywhere
"See hellacious acres
Your tailor made nightmare"
Traffic is backed up for miles
Attendants welcome you with devilish smiles
Steady, steady
Have your tickets ready
Go to hell
After dark
It's a sin filled city
An amusement park
It's a one way ticket to the other side
It's a Dr. Jekyll and a Mr. Hyde
See Lizzie Borden, she's one of the stars
And tricky Dicky barkin'
Flashin' you his pardon
Jack the ripper slashin' your tires
Even the devil needs money
To cover his overhead
That's why he opened hellacious acres
Or so his press agent said
Hang out with heavies
Your partners in crime
Forget the consequences, have a good time
Steady, steady
Have your tickets ready
Steady, steady
Go to hell
After dark
It's a sin filled city
An amusement park
It's a one way ticket to the other side
It's a Dr. Jekyll and a Mr. Hyde
Get down and study suspicion and doubt
At hellacious acres
Listen mischief makers
Admission's free you pay to get out
The lyrics to Hellacious Acres speak of an amusement park that promises to take its visitors on a journey to the dark side. Billboards advertising the park are all over the place, inviting people to visit the tailor-made nightmare that awaits them. The traffic is backed up for miles as people flock to the park. The attendants welcome them with devilish smiles, and they are advised to have their tickets ready. The park is open after dark and is described as a sin-filled city where visitors can forget the consequences and have a good time. Lizzie Borden and tricky Dicky are some of the stars in the park, and Jack the Ripper is lurking around, slashing tires. The park is described as a place where Dr. Jekyll meets Mr. Hyde, and visitors are warned that it is a one-way ticket to the other side. The last line of the song tells visitors to study suspicion and doubt at Hellacious Acres before leaving, a chilling thought.
The lyrics to Hellacious Acres speak of the temptations of the devil and our innermost desires. The amusement park is a metaphor for the seductions of sin and the temptation to indulge in it. The lyrics warn us of the consequences of giving in to these temptations and remind us that there is always a price to pay. The song's theme is all too familiar; it speaks of our struggles to avoid temptation and stay on the path of righteousness. The song is a reminder that sometimes, the things that look attractive on the surface can lead us down a path of destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Look who's advertising
Notice who is promoting
Billboards everywhere
Large signs all around
"See hellacious acres
"Come observe this dreadful place
Your tailor made nightmare"
A personalized horror show just for you"
Traffic is backed up for miles
There is a long line of people waiting to get in
Attendants welcome you with devilish smiles
Employees greet you with wicked grins
Steady, steady
Be calm, be patient
Have your tickets ready
Be prepared to show your purchase
Go to hell
Proceed to the entrance
After dark
Once the sun is down
It's a sin filled city
The place is full of immoral activities
An amusement park
A fun fair for your wicked desires
It's a one way ticket to the other side
Entry leads to eternal damnation
It's a Dr. Jekyll and a Mr. Hyde
A place of dual personalities
See Lizzie Borden, she's one of the stars
Meet a notorious criminal, she's popular here
And tricky Dicky barkin'
And even Richard Nixon is barking
Flashin' you his pardon
Showing his forgiveness
Jack the ripper slashin' your tires
Your car will be damaged by Jack the Ripper
Even the devil needs money
Even Satan requires income
To cover his overhead
To pay for his expenses
That's why he opened hellacious acres
That's why he created this evil place
Or so his press agent said
According to his public relations representative
Hang out with heavies
Spend time with other dangerous people
Your partners in crime
Companions in your unlawful conduct
Forget the consequences, have a good time
Don't worry about the outcomes, enjoy yourself
Get down and study suspicion and doubt
Examine distrust and uncertainty
At hellacious acres
In this devilish place
Listen mischief makers
Pay attention troublemakers
Admission's free you pay to get out
Entrance is complimentary but you must pay to leave
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL H. WILLIAMS, KENNETH LEE ASCHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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