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."

I'm Still Here
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Good times and bum times, I've seen them all and, my dear
I'm still here!
Gold statue sometimes
Sometimes a kick-in-the-rear, but I'm here
Now one day you're hailed for blazing trails
Next you're nailed for fingernails
Either they cheer or they jeer, but I'm here
I've heard them say song writing, acting, producing

What makes her think that she can? Or better yet song writing, acting, producing
What does she think, she's a man?
One day a Tony, Tuesday you're top of the Bill
So I'm here!
Wednesday you're phony, Thursday you're over the hill
But I'm here!
Now I've kept my clothes and kept me space
I've kept my nose to spite my face
Still once you say you won't
Keep your place loud and clear
Once you announce you're directing all you hear is
Everybody says don't, everybody says don't
Everybody says don't, it isn't right!
Don't, it isn't nice!
Everybody says don't, everybody says
Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter
Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter
Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade
Don't tell me not to fly, I've simply got to, If someone takes a spill
It's me and not you
Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade
I'll march my band out, I'll beat my drum,
And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir
I guess I didn't make it
Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a-comin'
I simply gotta march, my heart's a-drummin'
Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade
I'm gonna live and live NOW!
Get what I want, I know how!
One roll for the whole shebang!
One throw that bell will go clang
Eye on the target and wham
One shot, one gun shot and bam!
Hey, look at me world, here I am
I'll march my band out, I'll beat my drum
And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir
I guess I didn't make it
Get ready for me life, 'cause I'm a-comin'
I simply gotta march, my heart's a-drummin'
Nobody, no, nobody, is gonna rain on my parade!

I've always loved singing theater songs because they tell a story

And this next song that I'm about to sing is from "SHOW BOAT"
Which is on its way back to Broadway after sixty-seven years

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Still Here" by Barbra Streisand is a powerful tribute to perseverance and overcoming obstacles in life. The lyrics reflect on the ups and downs that the singer has experienced throughout her career and life, and yet she remains resilient and determined to keep going. The song starts off by acknowledging the good and bad times the singer has experienced, but declares that she is still here, despite it all. She reflects on how people's opinions can change quickly and how they can either praise or criticize her work, but she remains steadfast.

In the second verse, the singer mentions how people have doubted her abilities in songwriting, acting, and producing, questioning her potential and even her gender. The chorus then follows with the iconic line "Don't rain on my parade", as the singer refuses to let anyone dampen her spirit or tell her what she can or cannot achieve. She urges herself to live in the moment and seize the opportunities that arise.

The final verse celebrates the singer's resilience and perseverance, as she marches to the beat of her own drum and refuses to let anyone bring her down. The spoken interlude at the end highlights the importance of storytelling in musical theater and announces the upcoming Broadway revival of "Show Boat."

Overall, "I'm Still Here" is a powerful anthem that captures the challenges and triumphs of living, as well as the importance of self-belief and resilience in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Good times and bum times, I've seen them all and, my dear, I'm still here!
I've experienced both great moments and tough times throughout my life, yet I'm still standing.

Gold statue sometimes, Sometimes a kick-in-the-rear, but I'm here
One minute I'm receiving awards and accolades, the next minute I'm knocked down, but I persevere.

Now one day you're hailed for blazing trails Next you're nailed for fingernails Either they cheer or they jeer, but I'm here
You can be praised for being innovative one day, then criticized for tiny flaws the next, but I'm still standing regardless of what others say.

I've heard them say song writing, acting, producing, What makes her think that she can? Or better yet song writing, acting, producing What does she think, she's a man?
Some people wonder how I can be successful in multiple creative areas, suggesting that it's not possible or suited for a woman.

One day a Tony, Tuesday you're top of the Bill So I'm here! Wednesday you're phony, Thursday you're over the hill But I'm here!
One day I could be winning a prestigious award, the next day I could be considered washed up, but I'm still standing, regardless of my ups and downs.

Now I've kept my clothes and kept me space I've kept my nose to spite my face Still once you say you won't Keep your place loud and clear Once you announce you're directing all you hear is... Everybody says don't, everybody says don't Everybody says don't, it isn't right! Don't, it isn't nice! Everybody says don't, everybody says...
I've kept my independence and stood my ground, and even when I decide to take on new challenges like directing, I'm met with criticism and opposition from others.

Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter, Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter, Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade. Don't tell me not to fly, I've simply got to, If someone takes a spill, It's me and not you, Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade
I won't let anyone stop me from living my life and pursuing my dreams. I refuse to be held back or discouraged by others' negativity.

I'll march my band out, I'll beat my drum, And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, sir, At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir, I guess I didn't make it Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a-comin' I simply gotta march, my heart's a-drummin' Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade, I'm gonna live and live NOW! Get what I want, I know how! One roll for the whole shebang! One throw that bell will go clang, Eye on the target and wham, One shot, one gun shot and bam! Hey, look at me world, here I am...
I'm going to keep going, keep fighting, and chase what I want. I'm not letting anyone else dictate or limit my future, and I'm going to make sure everyone knows who I am and what I can achieve.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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