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."
I'd Rather Be Blue Over You
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
I'm crazy about 'ya, without 'ya
For you I'm strong
I can't do without 'ya
Oucha-ma-goucha, don't stay too long!
I need a little ah, little ooh, little Oh
I'm knocking on wood
Honey hurry up, hurry up, hurry up
It's so hard to be good
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
Will I be good? Will I be bad?
Don't be a fool, you fool
My little flat, I'm turning that
Into a Sunday school
While you're away I'm here to say
There'll be no ice man there
Singing the blues I'm gonna use
Nothing but Frigidaire
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
Blue over you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be Hap-hap-hap-hap-py
With somebody else
-Fred Fisher
The lyrics of Barbra Streisand's "I'd Rather Be Blue Over You" describe a person who is deeply infatuated with someone who may not necessarily reciprocate those feelings. The singer expresses that they would rather be feeling blue and melancholy while thinking about this person instead of being happy with someone else. The repetition of the phrase "I'd rather be blue over you" reinforces the idea that nothing else is as satisfying to the singer as their unrequited love for this person.
The second verse describes how the singer is "crazy about 'ya," but can't handle being without them. They ask for a little "ah," "ooh," and "oh," indicating a desire for physical intimacy with this person. However, they also reveal that it's difficult for them to be faithful while waiting for their love to be returned. The singer also turns their home into a "Sunday school" in order to stave off any temptations while their love interest is away.
The overall tone of the song is wistful and bittersweet. The singer is deeply in love but also deeply frustrated by their unrequited feelings. They express a desire to be with this person and to feel happy but acknowledge that being sad and blue while thinking about them is the best they can hope for at the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I prefer to be sad and blue, while constantly thinking of you.
I'd rather be blue over you
I would rather feel blue and downhearted because of you than try to forget you and be carefree
Than be happy with somebody else
I am more content being a little bit unhappy and melancholy, than being happy with someone else.
I'm crazy about 'ya, without 'ya
I am completely infatuated with you even when you are not there.
For you, I'm strong
I am strong only because I think of you in my life.
I can't do without 'ya
I cannot imagine living without you.
Oucha-ma-goucha, don't stay too long!
Please do not stay much longer, I do not know if I can control my emotions if you do.
I need a little ah, little ooh, little Oh
I need some excitement and anticipation in my life.
I'm knocking on wood
I am hoping for good fortune, and am superstitious about showing optimism.
Honey hurry up, hurry up, hurry up
I am eagerly waiting for you to come back to me.
It's so hard to be good
It is challenging for me to stay faithful and not be seduced by others while you are away.
Will I be good? Will I be bad?
I am questioning my own ability to be faithful while you are not here.
Don't be a fool, you fool
Do not underestimate me, despite my current emotional state.
My little flat, I'm turning that into a Sunday school
I am changing my living arrangements to be more proper and moralistic, in an attempt to stay faithful to you.
While you're away I'm here to say there'll be no ice man there
While you are absent, I promise not to be unfaithful with anyone else.
Singing the blues I'm gonna use nothing but Frigidaire
I will use my refrigerator as a metaphorical instrument to express my sadness and longing for you, as I cannot sing otherwise.
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
As gloomy as it might sound, I rather feel sorrowful and think about you than not have you in my mind at all.
Blue over you
I may be feeling blue, but it is all because of how much I miss you.
Than be Hap-hap-hap-hap-py
I cannot be happy without you, as you are everything to me.
With somebody else
Being with someone else would mean nothing to me without the love and affection we shared together, which only you can offer.
Contributed by Victoria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ana Luísa
LYRICS
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
I'm crazy about 'ya, without 'ya
For you I'm strong
I can't do without 'ya
Oucha-ma-goucha, don't stay too long!
I need a little ah, little ooh, little Oh
I'm knocking on wood
Honey hurry up, hurry up, hurry up
It's so hard to be good
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
Will I be good? Will I be bad?
Don't be a fool, you fool
My little flat, I'm turning that
Into a Sunday school
While you're away I'm here to say
There'll be no ice man there
Singing the blues I'm gonna use
Nothing but Frigidaire
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
Blue over you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be Hap-hap-hap-hap-py
With somebody else
Hope you enjoy it! ❤️
theamazingbobinsky
I'd rather be blue thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
I'm crazy about'cha, without'cha
For you I'm strong.
I can't do without'cha
Howcha magoucha?
Don't stay too long.
I need a little ah, little ooh, little oh,
And I'm knocking on wood.
Ah, honey hurry up, hurry up, hurry up
It's so hard to be good
I'd rather be blue thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
Will I be good? Will I be bad?
Don't be a fool, you fool.
My little flat, I'm turning that
Into a Sunday school
While you're away, I'm here to say
There'll be no iceman there.
Singin' the blues I'm gonna use
Nothin' but Frigidaire.
I'd rather be blue thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
Blue over you, I'd rather be blue over you
Than be hap-hap-hap-happy
With somebody else.
Dave Glo
My parents dragged us preteens to the movies in 1968 to see this. We weren't too happy. But then we were utterly astonished by this incredible talent. She could sing, dance, make us laugh, make us cry. There's a good reason that Streisand is such an icon.
blue genes
@Lyliane Manquest you're thinking of liza minelli.
Lyliane Manquest
Her Mother was JUDY GARLAND
WONDERFULL STAR
SINGER COMEDIAN
" ONE STAR IS BORN "
Anne McCarron
Absolutely! I've loved her since childhood as well!
Anne McCarron
Mother couldn't stand her. My mother had absutely no taste. Striesand is my favorite entertainer. No one compares to her!
Andrew Rudin
Was there ever a more daring costume designer than Irene Sharaf? Look at the color combination here... the weird grapes on the shoulder (which give Barbra "business"), the strange combination of materials, and the low-slung waist. AND... it all works... hilarious and somehow flattering at the same time. She hits it out of the part throughout this flick (and many, many others). I mean... olive-green roller skates? Come on! Brilliant.
Nicole Ropp
Agree x100000 .... I saw Funny Girl for the first time in 1986 .... and this scene/costuming/design & choreography left a gorgeous indelible imprint in my ❤️ and brain. Babs Forever! She's like butter.
Essie Fowler
Andrew Rudin absolutely correct
Grace Murphy
I know it’s been three years since you wrote this post, but I just still must comment! There is absolutely nothing like this woman - nothing! This musical/movie have kept me entertained for well over 40 years (I’m 54 years old). My four sisters and mom introduced it to me way back when, and I most certainly kept up the tradition with my three daughters! My oldest daughter knows the words to ALL of these songs because I used to play this “album” while doing housework, and she was VERY happy to learn these songs!! Then we carried it down to her younger sisters! Although some of it may have been ahead of its time, I welcome ANY such talent to even touch this!! It is where civility left off, unfortunately. It is very “plainly” classic, and I know that my girls will continue the tradition, as corny as it may seem, to the new generations!!
eli hauser
Siri Hammond it’s incredibly 60s but that’s part of the charm