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."
My Buddy / How About Me
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think about you
All through the day
My buddy... My buddy...
Miss your voice, the touch of your hand
Just long to know that you understand
My buddy... My buddy...
Your buddy misses you
It's over
All over
And soon somebody else
Will make a fuss about you
But how about me?
It's over
All over
And soon somebody else
Will tell the friends
About you
But how about me
He'll find somebody new
But what am I to do
I'd still remember you
When you have forgotten me
And maybe a baby
Will climb upon your knee
And put his arms around you
But how about me
My buddy... Your buddy
Misses you...
The lyrics to Barbra Streisand's song Medley evoke feelings of loneliness and longing for a lost companion. The first verse describes the nights as lonely since the person left, with the singer constantly thinking about them throughout the day. The repetition of "My buddy" emphasizes the bond that the two shared, with nobody else as true as the person who is now gone. The singer misses their voice and touch, wanting to know if they still understand each other even with the distance between them.
The second verse focuses on the fact that it's all over, and someone else will make a fuss about the person who left. However, the singer is left wondering about themselves and what they'll do since the person is gone. The repetition of "But how about me?" highlights the feeling of being forgotten and left behind. The bridge repeats the phrase "He'll find somebody new," emphasizing the inevitability of moving on, but the final lines show that the singer will still remember the person who left, long after they've forgotten about them.
Line by Line Meaning
Nights are lone since you went away
I feel lonely at night without you.
I think about you
Thoughts of you occupy my mind.
All through the day
These thoughts persist through the day.
My buddy... My buddy...
I miss you, my friend.
Nobody quiet so true
No one else is as honest and reliable as you were.
Miss your voice, the touch of your hand
I long for the sound of your voice and the feeling of your touch.
Just long to know that you understand
I wish for the reassurance that you comprehend my feelings.
Your buddy misses you
I miss you just as much as you miss me.
It's over. All over.
Our relationship has come to an end.
And soon somebody else will make a fuss about you
Someone new will likely take interest in you.
But how about me?
What about how I feel?
Will tell the friends about you
This new person may tell others about you.
He'll find somebody new
This new person will probably find another love interest.
But what am I to do?
I don't know how to move on.
I'd still remember you
I will always remember you.
When you have forgotten me
Even if you move on and forget me.
And maybe a baby will climb upon your knee
Perhaps one day you will have a child in your life.
And put his arms around you
This child will affectionately embrace you.
But how about me?
But what about the pain of losing me?
My buddy... Your buddy... Misses you...
Even though this has ended, I still miss you, my friend.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@billyboylb
One of the best recordings in her entire catalog and that's saying a lot. Perfect.
@necktieguy1
What a beautiful medley--those songs, that voice! Just as tender and haunting as anything can be. Thanks for this post. Don't ever take it away.
@marcackerman492
One of my many favorite Streisand songs. Great job.
@Dan-vt3nk
Love it! Thanks for posting.
@STREISANDLAND
one of my personal favorites...
@necktieguy1
"My Buddy" was a tenderly haunting song that was sung a lot during World War II. It was written way before that conflict, but it is full of beautiful sentiment. Thanks for this post.
@Dan-vt3nk
Awesome!
@sommy38
I love this
@johngray1253
Check out the Mel Torme rendition of the song and the Beautiful rendition by Doris Day equally as good I promise you commenting: Barbara Gray