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'm Not A Well Man
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he's getting worse
If he had any sense
He'd be in bed with a graduate nurse
A couple of big specialists
High priced consultation
And outside waiting in the hall
Assorted logic small poor relations
His pains are in pain
And what sizzles and frizzles
Inside there all the smartest professors could not explain
-they wouldn't know what?
Be quick as you can
I might haven't got
You're dealing with not (cough!)
With not a well man
I'm not a well man
Get worse every year
All the medical doctors
Give one look
They're amazed I'm still here
I should own a pharmacy
For just my prescriptions
My bills for only pills alone
Would chill you to the bone
With conniptions
What I have been through
No man could recite
It would make your heart break
And play a story that only
Turn yet it maybe could write
A tragical plot
How can I plan?
I might haven't got
You're dealing with not (cough!)
With not a well man
I'm not a well man
The song "I'm Not a Well Man" by Barbra Streisand Jack Kruschen is a humorous but poignant look at the physical ailments and struggles of a man who is not in the best of health. The song paints a picture of a man who is suffering from a variety of physical ailments and is constantly seeking medical help to manage his symptoms. The opening lines of the song immediately set the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer declares that he is "not a well man" and that he is "getting worse."
As the song progresses, the singer describes his experiences with doctors and the medical system. He suggests that if he had any sense, he'd be in bed with a graduate nurse, implying that the only way to manage his symptoms is with constant care and attention. He also describes the various specialists and consultations he's had, as well as the "assorted logic small poor relations" who are waiting outside the door.
The lyrics of the song are filled with humor and irony, as the singer pokes fun at his own condition and the medical system. At the same time, however, there is a sense of pathos and sadness in the song, as the singer describes the toll that his medical struggles have taken on his life.
Overall, "I'm Not a Well Man" is a moving and insightful look at the difficulties faced by those who are dealing with chronic illness and the medical system.
Line by Line Meaning
He's not a well man
His health isn't good
And he's getting worse
His health is deteriorating
If he had any sense
If he was smart
He'd be in bed with a graduate nurse
He would have a professional nurse taking care of him
A couple of big specialists
Highly trained medical professionals
High priced consultation
Costly medical advice
And outside waiting in the hall
Family members or friends waiting outside the hospital room
Assorted logic small poor relations
Various distant relatives with limited resources
His aches have got aches
He has multiple aches and pains
His pains are in pain
His pains are so severe, they cause him pain
And what sizzles and frizzles
His internal medical problems
Inside there all the smartest professors could not explain
Even the best medical professionals cannot diagnose his condition
Be quick as you can
Hurry up
I might haven't got
I may not have much time left
You're dealing with not (cough!)
You're dealing with someone who is very ill (coughing because of the illness)
With not a well man
Someone who is not healthy
Get worse every year
His health is declining every year
All the medical doctors
All the doctors he has seen
Give one look
They know he is very sick just by looking at him
They're amazed I'm still here
His survival is surprising to doctors
I should own a pharmacy
He takes many medications
For just my prescriptions
Just for his medications
My bills for only pills alone
The cost of his medications is very high
Would chill you to the bone
It is very shocking
With conniptions
Causing extreme emotional reactions
What I have been through
His medical journey
No man could recite
It is too much to describe
It would make your heart break
It is very emotional
And play a story that only
It would make for a sad story
Turn yet it maybe could write
It could make a good story, even though it is sad
A tragical plot
A sad story
How can I plan?
He cannot plan for the future due to his illness
I might haven't got
He may not have much time left
You're dealing with not (cough!)
You're dealing with someone who is very ill (coughing because of the illness)
With not a well man
Someone who is not healthy
I'm not a well man
He himself is very ill
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD ROME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
donald630
The first song Barbra Streisand ever sang on Broadway -- at age 19! Historic!
Bluestar918
What a cheery song