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 Don't Break Easily
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
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Thinking something might be saved.
Growing tired of broken promises
And dreams you never made.
And I wanted to be more than just a friend,
Not knowing I would hurt, so, in the end.
So I swore I'd never call you home again.
Took time to see through all the glitter
That you made.
I was blinded by your fire light
And swept myself away.
And I guess I couldn't bring myself to see
You had taken all the very best of me.
So I'm leaving while there's something left of me.
Just like a child, I keep running back for more.
You know I thought I knew the answers,
'Cause I've been hurt before,
And one more time around won't break me.
You will never see that side of me,
No, no, no, no,
I don't break easily.
I told my service to pick up all my calls,
And I've taken down our photographs
That lined our bedroom walls.
And the outside door no longer has your name.
All your clothes are gone.
My welcome mat's been changed,
But the key's still there,
And I've left the door unchained.
Just like a child, I keep running back for more.
Oh, I thought I knew all the answers,
I've been hurt before,
And just one more time around
Won't break me down.
You will never see that side of me,
No, no, no,
I don't break easily.
No, no, I won't break easily
In "I Don't Break Easily," Barbra Streisand sings about a failed relationship where she took a chance in the hope of fixing things. She grows tired of promises that are never kept and dreams that are never fulfilled, but still wants to be more than just a friend to her partner. However, she ends up hurting herself even more, and decides to break up with her partner and stay strong in her resolve not to contact them again.
The lyrics describe the singer's journey of self-discovery, where she learns to see through the illusions created by her partner's charisma and charm. She realizes that her partner has taken the best part of her and decides to leave before she loses herself completely. She admits to being susceptible to the temptation of returning to her partner like a child running back for more, but also acknowledges that she won't break easily.
The song's message is one of empowerment and resilience in the face of heartbreak. It encourages listeners to prioritize their own well-being and to stand up for themselves, even when it's difficult to let go of someone they care about.
Line by Line Meaning
I took my chances, thinking something might be saved.
I was hopeful that there was still something to salvage from our relationship.
Growing tired of broken promises and dreams you never made.
I became weary of all the broken promises and unfulfilled dreams that you never made good on.
And I wanted to be more than just a friend, not knowing I would hurt, so, in the end.
I desired to be more than just friends, unaware that it would end up causing me pain.
So I swore I'd never call you home again.
I made a vow to myself that I would never call you 'home' again.
Took time to see through all the glitter that you made.
It took me some time to see beyond all the superficial charm that you exuded.
I was blinded by your fire light and swept myself away.
I was consumed by the passion and excitement that you exuded, and lost myself in the process.
And I guess I couldn't bring myself to see you had taken all the very best of me.
I was unable to realize that you had taken everything that was good and valuable in me.
So I'm leaving while there's something left of me.
I am departing from this relationship while I still have some of myself left.
Just like a child, I keep running back for more.
Despite everything, I find myself returning to you like a child seeking comfort and familiarity.
You know I thought I knew the answers, 'cause I've been hurt before.
I believed that I had all the answers because I had experienced betrayal and pain before.
And one more time around won't break me.
I am confident that one more ordeal will not bring me down.
You will never see that side of me, no, no, no, no.
I will not allow you to see how vulnerable and fragile I truly am.
I don't break easily.
I am strong and resilient, and I don't give in easily.
I told my service to pick up all my calls, and I've taken down our photographs that lined our bedroom walls.
I have taken steps to detach myself from you by having my service screen my calls and removing any reminders of you from my home.
And the outside door no longer has your name. All your clothes are gone.
I have erased any physical trace of you from my life, such as removing your name from the outside of my home and getting rid of all your clothes.
My welcome mat's been changed, but the key's still there, and I've left the door unchained.
I have made some changes to my home to signify that you are no longer welcome, but I have not completely shut you out.
No, no, I won't break easily.
I am steadfast in my resolve to move on from you and not let you break me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRUCE ROBERTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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