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 Mean to Shine
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

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Here comes another dawn
For every child to see
This time the morning sun
Is burning just for me
I've got the skyward eyes
Like I've never had before
Just smile and say goodbye

Show me to the door
For every one there comes a precious time
To break away
I mean to shine
Oh, I mean to shine
As I look at all the morning sun
I know I mean to shine

This day I realized
The world I knew is gone
New seasons come and change
The crown that stood upon
I've been afraid to feel
And scared of falling free
You said so I'm real
It seemed so clear to me
For everyone who breathes
There comes a time to fly away

I mean to shine
0h, I mean to shine
As I look at all the morning sun
I know I mean to shine
For everyone who breathes

There comes a time
To break away
I mean to shine
Oh, I mean to shine

As I look at all morning sun
I know I mean to shine.

Overall Meaning

The song "I Mean to Shine" by Barbra Streisand is an empowering and optimistic song about breaking free from one's fears and shining in the world. The lyrics speak of a realization that the world has changed and it is time to move forward with confidence. The morning sun serves as a metaphor for new beginnings, and the singer declares her determination to shine, regardless of her fears, past experiences or the expectations of others.

In the first verse, Barbra sings about the morning sun burning just for her, and how she has a newfound sense of optimism about the world. She looks at the sky with eyes that have never seen things in that way before. The second verse speaks about the fear of letting go and falling free, but herein lies the leap of faith. There comes a point in life where we need to break away from fear and show ourselves to the door.

Streisand's powerful vocals and the upbeat melody underscore the message of the song. It is a universal message that anyone who has ever struggled with fear and self-doubt can relate to. It is an affirmation of one's ability to overcome the challenges life throws our way and to shine in our own way, on our own terms.

Line by Line Meaning

Here comes another dawn
A new day is beginning

For every child to see
It's a fresh start and a new opportunity for everyone

This time the morning sun
This particular day holds promise

Is burning just for me
This new day feels like it was made just for me

I've got the skyward eyes
I am looking up and feeling hopeful

Like I've never had before
These feelings of optimism and determination are new to me

Just smile and say goodbye
I am ready to leave the past behind and move forward

Show me to the door
I am ready to begin my journey

For everyone there comes a precious time
Everyone has a moment when they need to break free and follow their own path

To break away
To leave the past behind and start something new

I mean to shine
I am determined to succeed and be happy