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 Am Woman
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
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Don't let him take me
Don't let him handle me
And drive me mad
If you can keep me
I wants to stay here
With you forever and I'd be glad
Don't let him take me
Don't let him handle me
With his hot hand
If you can keep me
I wants to stay here
With you forever
I got my man
Someday, I know he's comin' back
To call me
He's gonna handle me and hold me so
It's gonna be like dyin', Porgy
Deep inside me
But when he calls I know I have to go
Porgy, I's your woman now
I is, I is
And I ain't never goin' nowhere
'Less you shares the fun
Want no wrinkle on your brow
Know how
Because the sorrow of the past is all
Done, done
My Porgy
Now the real happiness is just begun
There's no wrinkle on my brow
Know how
And I ain't goin'
You hear me saying, if you ain't goin'
With you I'm stayin'
Porgy, I's yo' woman now
I's yours forever
Mornin' time and evenin' time
And summer time and winter time
Hmm
Oh my Porgy
My man Porgy
From this minute I'm tellin' you
I keep this vow
Porgy, I's yo' woman now!
In Barbra Streisand’s song “The Man I Love,” she sings a section called “I Loves You Porgy” which is about a woman’s plea to her lover to protect her from her former lover who was abusive. The woman addresses Porgy, urging him not to let her former lover take her away from him and drive her mad. The woman is seemingly making a plea for protection from Porgy, and the way she repeats herself echoes the feeling of desperation. She is saying that she wants to stay with Porgy forever and that she would be happy.
The woman is confident that Porgy can keep her safe from her former lover, but she also acknowledges that she has a loyalty to her former lover that she cannot deny. The woman knows that her former lover will come back and take her away, and she will have no choice but to go with him. Despite her love for Porgy, she has made a vow to always be by her former lover’s side, sharing in his joys and sorrows. She acknowledges that she is now Porgy’s woman and that she will stay with him forever, but also that she knows she will eventually have to leave him. This section of the song conveys the woman’s feelings of vulnerability and her desire to be protected by someone who loves her.
Line by Line Meaning
I loves you Porgy
I adore you, Porgy
Don't let him take me
Do not allow another man to take me from you
Don't let him handle me
Do not let another man mistreat me
And drive me mad
And cause me to lose my sanity
If you can keep me
If you can maintain our relationship
I wants to stay here
I desire to remain here
With you forever and I'd be glad
With you for eternity, and it would bring me contentment
I got my man
I have a man in my life
Someday, I know he's comin' back
One day I believe he will return
To call me
To reach out or contact me
He's gonna handle me and hold me so
He will touch and embrace me in such a way
It's gonna be like dyin', Porgy
It will feel like experiencing death, Porgy
Deep inside me
It will impact me emotionally
But when he calls I know I have to go
But when he reaches out, I must leave to be with him
Porgy, I's your woman now
Porgy, I am committed to you
I is, I is
I certainly am
And I ain't never goin' nowhere
And I am never leaving
'Less you shares the fun
Unless you want to share in the enjoyable experiences
Want no wrinkle on your brow
I do not want to see you ever worried or troubled
Know how
You know what I mean
Because the sorrow of the past is all
Because the grief of the past has dissipated
Done, done
It is over, it is finished
My Porgy
My dear Porgy
Now the real happiness is just begun
Now true bliss has commenced
There's no wrinkle on my brow
I am no longer stressed or anxious
Know how
You understand
And I ain't goin'
And I am not leaving
You hear me saying, if you ain't goin'
Do you understand that I am stating if you are not leaving?
With you I'm stayin'
I am going to stay with you
Porgy, I's yo' woman now
Porgy, I am completely devoted to you
I's yours forever
I will belong to you for all eternity
Mornin' time and evenin' time
Morning, afternoon, and evening
And summer time and winter time
Summer and winter
Oh my Porgy
Oh, my dear Porgy
My man Porgy
My beloved Porgy
From this minute I'm tellin' you
Starting right now, I promise you
I keep this vow
I will honor this commitment
Porgy, I's yo' woman now!
Porgy, I am your woman now!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Du Bose Heyward, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephengordon3161
Who knew? What a treat to hear this recording. Young Streisand full of boom and wow. Thank you for posting. Oh, I like the video collage. 💥⭐💥
@simondentry6416
No wonder she conquered the world….this is simply superb💕
@elektrckevin
Her voice sounds slick and cleverly twisted up as licorice in this song which is to her credit from her attention to detail as a stylist as a vocalist. What a clever, playful arrangement and fun, hidden track for us to listen to today in the USA after all these years. Thank you for the recommendation and for sharing.
@ericwarren2182
I can't believe I've never heard this before! The actress who sings turns this into a little play.
@davidwh2653
her name is Barbra, check out some of her other stuff! she's pretty good
@wernermatrisch2
Thank you - it's wonderful, sounds great !
@scottsaraceno
Thank you for sharing all this beautiful rare footage/music/photos. I’ve been a fan for over 40 years and it’s a thrill to see and hear most of this for the first time.
@johncox2912
What a treat to hear this!
@mekoman1
Wow, what a great version, so glad you shared it.
@songbirdy
Wow. Never heard this version. But i'm definitely in love with it.