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."
Hello Dolly
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so nice to be back home where I belong
You are lookin' swell Manny, I can tell Danny
You're still glowin', you're still crowin', you're still goin' strong
I feel the room swayin' for the band's playin'
One of my old favorite songs from way back when
So, bridge that gap, fellas, find me an empty lap, fellas
Well, hello Dolly (look who's here)
This is Louis, Dolly (hello Louis)
It's so nice to have you back where you belong (I am so glad to be back)
Ah you're lookin' swell, Dolly (thank you, Louis)
I can tell, Dolly (does it show?)
You're still glowin', you're still crowin' you're still (mmm goin' strong)
I feel the room swayin'
And the band's playin'
One of our old favorite songs from way back when, so (I remember it so, you're my favorite)
Show some snap, fellas, find her an empty lap, yeah (yeah uhm)
Dolly'll never go away again
Well, well hello, Dolly
Well, hello, Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're looking swell, Dolly,(wow)
We can tell, Dolly, (wow)
You're still glowin', you're still crowin'
You're still goin' strong
I hear the ice tinkle (I hear it tinkle)
See the lights twinkle (I see them twinkle)
And you still get glances from us handsome men
So
Mmmm, wow wow wow, fellas
Hey, yeah
Look at the old girl now, fellas (wow)
Dolly'll never go away
Dolly'll never go away
Dolly'll never go away again
The song "Hello Dolly" by Barbra Streisand and Louis Armstrong was originally written by Jerry Herman for the musical of the same name which premiered on Broadway in 1964. The song is sung by the character Dolly Levi who has just returned to New York and is reuniting with old friends. The lyrics of the song convey the excitement and joy of coming back home and seeing all the familiar faces.
As Dolly greets her friends Rudy, Harry, Manny, and Danny, she remarks on how they all look great and are still going strong. She reminisces about an old favorite song that the band is playing and urges her friends to bridge the gap and find her an empty lap. Louis Armstrong joins in the song and compliments Dolly on her looks and the attention she still receives from the handsome men around her.
The lyrics of "Hello Dolly" evoke a sense of nostalgia and an appreciation for the importance of friendship and community. The song celebrates the idea of returning home and being welcomed back with open arms.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Rudy, well, hello Harry
The singers are greeting Rudy and Harry
It's so nice to be back home where I belong
The singers express pleasure at being back home
You are lookin' swell Manny, I can tell Danny
The singers compliment Manny on his appearance and note that Danny is still going strong
You're still glowin', you're still crowin', you're still goin' strong
Danny is still lively and active
I feel the room swayin' for the band's playin'
The music is making the room feel like it's moving
One of my old favorite songs from way back when
The singers are enjoying hearing an old favorite song
So, bridge that gap, fellas, find me an empty lap, fellas
The singers ask the band to play a song to help them feel closer to their companions
Dolly'll never go away again
Dolly, the woman the singers are singing to, won't ever leave them again
Well, hello Dolly (look who's here)
The singers are excited to see Dolly
This is Louis, Dolly (hello Louis)
One of the singers, Louis, introduces himself to Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong (I am so glad to be back)
Dolly is happy to be back among her friends
Ah you're lookin' swell, Dolly (thank you, Louis)
Louis compliments Dolly on her appearance
I can tell, Dolly (does it show?)
Louis can see that Dolly is doing well
You're still glowin', you're still crowin' you're still (mmm goin' strong)
Dolly is still active and lively
I feel the room swayin'
The music is making the room feel like it's moving
And the band's playin'
The band is playing music
One of our old favorite songs from way back when, so (I remember it so, you're my favorite)
The singers are enjoying hearing an old favorite song
Show some snap, fellas, find her an empty lap, yeah (yeah uhm)
The singers ask the band to play a song to help them feel closer to Dolly
Dolly'll never go away again
Dolly, the woman the singers are singing to, won't ever leave them again
You're looking swell, Dolly,(wow)
The singers compliment Dolly on her appearance
We can tell, Dolly, (wow)
The singers can see that Dolly is doing well
You're still glowin', you're still crowin'
Dolly is still active and lively
You're still goin' strong
Dolly is still very active and lively
I hear the ice tinkle (I hear it tinkle)
The singers can hear ice in their drinks tinkling
See the lights twinkle (I see them twinkle)
The singers can see the lights in the room twinkle
And you still get glances from us handsome men
Dolly is still attractive to the singers
Mmmm, wow wow wow, fellas
The singers are enjoying themselves in the moment
Look at the old girl now, fellas (wow)
The singers are amazed at how well Dolly is doing
Dolly'll never go away
Dolly, the woman the singers are singing to, won't ever leave them
Dolly'll never go away
Dolly, the woman the singers are singing to, won't ever leave them
Dolly'll never go away again
Dolly, the woman the singers are singing to, won't ever leave them again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jerry Herman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aini-aini
Well, hello Dolly (look who's here)
This is Louis, Dolly (hello Louis)
It's so nice to have you back where you belong (I am so glad to be back)
Ah you're lookin' swell, Dolly (thank you, Louis)
I can tell, Dolly (does it show?)
You're still glowin', you're still crowin' you're still (mmm goin' strong)
I feel the room swayin'
And the band's playin'
One of our old favorite songs from way back when, so (I remember it so, you're my favorite)
Show some snap, fellas, find her an empty lap, yeah (yeah uhm)
Dolly'll never go away again
Well, well hello, Dolly
Well, hello, Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're looking swell, Dolly, (wow)
We can tell, Dolly, (wow)
You're still glowin', you're still crowin'
You're still goin' strong
I hear the ice tinkle (I hear it tinkle)
See the lights twinkle (I see them twinkle)
And you still get glances from us handsome men
So
Mmmm, wow wow wow, fellas
Hey, yeah
Look at the old girl now, fellas (wow)
Dolly'll never go away
Dolly'll never go away
Dolly'll never go away again
@gramarson9562
When Louis Armstrong turned around I screamed. By far one of my favorite cameos. Can’t beat Ol’ Satchmo!
@dynocrafts7383
By the way, it's Louie Armstrong. I think. Hehe.
@jimswonger8111
I really like him in The Five Pennies too! He and Danny Kaye are great together.
@gramarson9562
@H S oh shit I just noticed HAHAHA
@rayva1
Legendary
@danadumitrescu2400
@Dyno Crafts ăăaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
@christiankrenek7689
Such a wonderful tribute to Louis Armstrong! To those who don’t know: “Satchmo’s” recording of “Hello, Dolly!” was the biggest seller of his career, and even dethroned The Beatles from the top of the charts at the height of their popularity in the 60’s. The filmmakers gave him this cameo in tribute to his cover of the song. Armstrong would die two years after the movie came out. Thank you for your music, Louis—you’re leading the band in Heaven now. :)
@edwardnashen5960
And Streisand is charming with him.
@DanTheMan27
Most underrated Streisand musical hands down. Such a wonderful movie
@chillin127
Hello Dolly underrated!!!
I don’t think so.
3 academy awards and nominated for best film.