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."
LUCK BE A LADY
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But there is room for doubt
At times you have a very un-lady like
Way of running out
Your on a date with me
The pickings have been lush
And yet before this evening is over
You might forget your manners
You might refuse to stay
And so the best
That I can do is pray
Luck be a lady tonight
Luck be a lady tonight
Luck if you've ever been
A lady to begin with
Luck be a lady tonight
Luck how I'm longing to see
How good a friend you can be
Stick with me sister
I'm the one that you came in with
Luck be a lady with me
A lady doesn't leave her escort
It isn't fair, it isn't nice
A lady doesn't wander all over the joint
And blow on some other guy?s dice
So, let's keep the party polite
Hmm, never get out of my sight
Stick with me sister
I'm the gal that I came in with
Luck be a lady tonight
A lady wouldn't flirt with strangers
She?d have heart, she would have a soul
A lady wouldn't make
Little sneak eyes at you
When I've bet my life on this roll
So, let's keep the party polite
Never get out of my sight
Stick with me pal
?Cause I'm the gal
That you came in with
Luck be a lady
Oh, luck be a lady
Luck be lady tonight
In Barbra Streisand's song "Luck Be a Lady," the singer addresses Lady Luck herself, expressing her doubts about Luck's true nature. The song describes how Luck seems to have a tendency to run out at the most inopportune moments, just when things seem to be going well. In the second verse, Streisand calls out Luck's potential erratic behavior, noting that even on a date with a desirable companion, Luck might suddenly decide to abandon them.
Despite these concerns, Streisand repeatedly invokes the title phrase "Luck be a lady tonight," suggesting that she hopes Luck will be kind to her at least for one night. She asks Luck to stick with her and not wander off, promising to keep the party polite and urging Luck to show her true character as a loyal and dependable friend.
Overall, the song reflects on the capricious nature of luck, which can bring joy or devastation seemingly at random. The lyrics hint at the idea that we can't really control what happens to us, but we can hope that fortune will favor us when we need it most.
Line by Line Meaning
They call you lady luck
People refer to you as the embodiment of luck
But there is room for doubt
However, there is uncertainty about your true nature
At times you have a very un-lady like
At times, your behavior is not reflective of typical ladylike qualities
Way of running out
Particularly, you have a tendency to disappear when needed the most
Your on a date with me
Currently, you are my companion for the evening
The pickings have been lush
The opportunities have been abundant and fruitful
And yet before this evening is over
Despite this, before the night is through
You might give me the brush
You may reject or abandon me
You might forget your manners
You may act impolitely
You might refuse to stay
You could choose to leave prematurely
And so the best
Therefore, the most appropriate course of action
That I can do is pray
That I can do is hope and wish for the best outcome
Luck be a lady tonight
May fortune favor us both tonight
Luck if you've ever been
Say, if you truly possess the qualities of luck
A lady to begin with
The qualities of an ideal and refined woman
Luck be a lady with me
May you extend your good fortunes to me
Luck how I'm longing to see
I am eager and anxious to witness your generosity
How good a friend you can be
And how much of a companion you can turn out to be
Stick with me sister
Stick around for me, my dear
I'm the one that you came in with
Remember, I am the person you arrived here with
A lady doesn't leave her escort
A respectable woman would never abandon her companion
It isn't fair, it isn't nice
It would not be fair or decent behavior
A lady doesn't wander all over the joint
Also, a lady would not recklessly roam around the area
And blow on some other guy?s dice
And try luck on someone else's behalf
So, let's keep the party polite
Therefore, let us maintain a decorous atmosphere
Hmm, never get out of my sight
Also, please do not leave my periphery
Stick with me sister
Remain with me, my dear
I'm the gal that I came in with
I am the lady who arrived with you
A lady wouldn't flirt with strangers
An honorable woman would refrain from flirting with unknown men
She?d have heart, she would have a soul
Rather, she would possess compassion and kindness
A lady wouldn't make
She would never engage in the following act
Little sneak eyes at you
Of casting suspicious or disdainful glances your way
When I've bet my life on this roll
Especially when I have staked everything on this risk
Stick with me pal
Stay with me, my friend
?Cause I'm the gal
Because I am the lady
That you came in with
Whom you arrived with
Luck be a lady
May fortune favor me
Oh, luck be a lady
Oh, please let Lady Luck look favorably upon me
Luck be lady tonight
May fortune favor both of us tonight
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOSEF MYROW, MACK GORDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt