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."

Higher Ground
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Walk me over this horizon
Let the sun's light warm my face
Once again the times are changin'
Once again I lost my way

Well the words of ancient poets
Fall like dust upon my shoes
Greed has robbed me of my vision

Turned my heart from higher truths

So take my hand
And lift me higher
Be my love and my desire
Hold me safe
And honor bound
Take my heart to
Higher ground

I have walked too long in darkness
I have walked too long alone
Blindly clutching fists of diamonds
That I found were only stones

I would trade the world of ages
For a warmer hand to hold
The path of light is narrow
But it leads to streets of gold

So take my hand
And lift me higher
Be my love and my desire
Hold me safe
And honor bound
Take my heart to
Higher ground

In this world we move through shadows
Never sure of what we see
While the truth that lies between us
Come and share the truth with me

So take my hand
And lift me higher
Be my love and my desire
Hold me safe
And honor bound
Take my heart to
Higher
Higher ground

Hmm-hmm-hmm, hmm
Hmm

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Barbra Streisand's song Higher Ground are about seeking guidance and finding one's way through difficult times. The singer of the song is lost, having been blinded by greed which has shattered their vision for higher truths. They ask to be lifted up and led to the "path of light" that leads to "streets of gold". The song is a powerful expression of the human desire to find meaning and purpose in life, especially in challenging times.

Line by Line Meaning

Walk me over this horizon
Guide me through a new phase of life

Let the sun's light warm my face
Allow me to experience warmth and love

Once again the times are changin'
Life is always evolving

Once again I lost my way
I have become lost and uncertain again

Well the words of ancient poets
The wisdom of the past

Fall like dust upon my shoes
Is ignored and overlooked

Greed has robbed me of my vision
Desire for material possessions has clouded my judgment

Turned my heart from higher truths
Prevented me from recognizing more profound knowledge

So take my hand and lift me higher
Lead me to a place of deeper understanding

Be my love and my desire
Stay close to my heart and fulfill my aspirations

Hold me safe and honor bound
Keep me secure and respected

Take my heart to higher ground
Inspire me and help me grow

I have walked too long in darkness
Been lost in despair for too long

I have walked too long alone
Been isolated for too long

Blindly clutching fists of diamonds
Obsessed with wealth and material possessions

That I found were only stones
That ultimately proved to be worthless

I would trade the world of ages
Would give up everything for true companionship

For a warmer hand to hold
For someone to offer genuine care and affection

The path of light is narrow
The way to enlightenment is difficult to find

But it leads to streets of gold
But it is worth the effort and promises fulfillment

In this world we move through shadows
We live in a world of uncertainty and deception

Never sure of what we see
Doubting the accuracy of our perceptions

While the truth that lies between us
Between all of us lies a deeper, more meaningful truth

Come and share the truth with me
Join me in discovering the real meaning of life

Take my heart to higher higher ground
Help me rise above my current situation

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George M. Green, Kent C. Agee, Steve Dorff

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS