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."

Medley: Johnny One Note/One Note Samba
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I got rhythm

I got music

I got my man

[Speaking]

You play real good!

How old are you? Eight?

...I was eight once...

For a whole year!

Then I went on to the big time...

Nine...Ten...

[Singing]

I got daisies in green pastures

I got my man

Who could ask for anything more

All man trouble, I don't mind him

You won't find him

Round and round and round my door

I got starlight

I got sweet dream

I got my man

Who can ask for anything more

I got rhythm

I got music

I got my man

Johnny can only play one note

And the note he plays is this

This is just a little samba

Built upon a single note

Other notes are bound to follow

But the root is still

That note

Now this new one is the consequence

Of the one we've just concluded

As I'm bound to be the unavoidable

Consequence of you

There's so many people who can

Talk an' talk an' talk

And just say nothing

Nothing

I have used to go the scale

I know that at the end

I've come to nothing

Nothing

So I come back to my first note

As I must come back to you

I will pour into that one note

All the love I feel for you

Anyone who wants the whole show

Re mi fa sol la ti do

He would find himself with no show

Better play the note you know

Dah dah dee dee da ah ah ...

Better play the note you know !

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Johnny One Note / One Note Samba" by Barbra Streisand are a playful combination of two different songs, Johnny One Note and One Note Samba. The opening lines evoke a sense of confidence and satisfaction, as the singer describes how she has everything she needs – rhythm, music, and a man. She speaks to a child, marveling at their talent and reminiscing about her own childhood. Then, she breaks into song, detailing the tranquility of her life despite the presence of any kind of trouble.

Later in the song, the focus shifts to Johnny One Note, a musician who can only play one note. Despite this limitation, his contribution to music is celebrated, as his one note serves as the basis for a joyful samba. The lyrics describe the beauty of simplicity, as the other notes that follow are built upon Johnny's root note. The singer then muses on the importance of remaining true to oneself, returning to the idea of the one note. She expresses a desire to pour all of her love into that one note, linking it to her love for her partner.

Overall, the lyrics to "Johnny One Note / One Note Samba" are a playful, upbeat exploration of music, love, and simplicity. The song celebrates talent in all its forms, while also emphasizing the beauty of staying true to one's roots and following one's heart.

Line by Line Meaning

I got rhythm
I have a sense of rhythm and a natural musicality.

I got music
I have a love and appreciation for music.

I got my man
I have a romantic partner who completes me.

[Speaking] You play real good!
Barbra Streisand compliments another musician on their talent.

How old are you? Eight?
Barbra Streisand makes playful small talk, guessing the age of the other musician.

...I was eight once...For a whole year! Then I went on to the big time...Nine...Ten...
Barbra Streisand playfully reminisces about her childhood and how she quickly grew up.

[Singing] I got daisies in green pastures I got my man Who could ask for anything more
Barbra Streisand expresses contentment with her simple yet fulfilling life, including her romantic partner.

All man trouble, I don't mind him You won't find him Round and round and round my door
Barbra Streisand is unbothered by any issues caused by men, as she has a happy and stable relationship.

I got starlight I got sweet dream I got my man Who can ask for anything more
Barbra Streisand continues to express gratitude for her blessings, including her happy relationship and the beauty of nature.

Johnny can only play one note And the note he plays is this
Barbra Streisand introduces the character Johnny, who is limited in his musical abilities.

This is just a little samba Built upon a single note
Barbra Streisand describes Johnny's music as simple, yet still enjoyable.

Other notes are bound to follow But the root is still That note
Although Johnny's music may seem limited, it is still the basis for more complex variations.

Now this new one is the consequence Of the one we've just concluded As I'm bound to be the unavoidable Consequence of you
Each new musical variation is influenced by the one that came before it, much like how people are influenced by their interactions with others.

There's so many people who can Talk an' talk an' talk And just say nothing Nothing
Barbra Streisand alludes to the fact that many people are all talk and no action, without any substance behind their words.

I have used to go the scale I know that at the end I've come to nothing Nothing
Barbra Streisand reflects on her own musical journey, acknowledging that sometimes things don't work out as planned.

So I come back to my first note As I must come back to you I will pour into that one note All the love I feel for you
Barbra Streisand recognizes the importance of simplicity and returning to the basics in both music and relationships.

Anyone who wants the whole show Re mi fa sol la ti do He would find himself with no show Better play the note you know Dah dah dee dee da ah ah ... Better play the note you know !
In the end, it's better to stick to what you know and do it well, rather than trying to do too much and failing.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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