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."
No Wonder
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
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No wonder at all.
The moment she sees him
Her thought is to please him.
Before he even knows that he's hungry
She's already there with his plate.
Before his glass is even empty
She's filling it up.
Before he as the chance to tell her
He's chilly,
She'll go to put a log on the fire.
Fulfilling his ev'ry desire:
No trouble.
No bother.
No wonder she's pretty;
What else should she be?
She hasn't a worry,
And why should she worry?
When she gets up, her biggest decision
Is figuring out what to wear.
To pick a blouse, a skirt,
And then there's the problem of what
Should she do with her hair.
And later, as she stands and studies a chicken,
The question's, "to roast or to not roast?
Or better yet, maybe, a pot roast?
Tomatoes? No.
Potatoes?"
No wonder he likes it;
It's perfect this way.
Who wouldn't want someone who fusses and flatters?
Who makes you feel that you're all that matters.
Whose only aim in life is to serve you,
And make you think she doesn't deserve you.
No wonder he loves her;
What else could he do?
If I were a man,
I would too!
The lyrics to Barbra Streisand's song No Wonder depict a woman whose sole purpose in life is to serve her partner. The song comments on the societal expectations placed upon women to be subservient to men and fulfill their every desire without any acknowledgment of their own needs or ambitions. The woman in the song is portrayed as being excessively doting and selfless, always anticipating her partner's needs before he even expresses them. She is depicted as being pretty and worry-free, with her biggest decision of the day being what to wear or cook for dinner. The song also touches on the idea of a woman needing to "earn" the love of a man through constant servitude.
The lyrics of No Wonder effectively illustrate the oppressive nature of gender roles and the harm they can cause to individuals. The woman in the song is denied the opportunity to pursue her own ambitions and desires, instead relegated to a role of constant subservience to her partner. The song also highlights the societal pressure placed on women to conform to a certain beauty standard, with the woman in the song being described as "pretty" but lacking any depth or substance.
Overall, the song serves as a poignant commentary on the societal pressures placed upon women to be perfect wives and partners, and the harm that can come from conforming to these unrealistic expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
No wonder he loves her.
It is not surprising to think that he loves her.
No wonder at all.
There is no insight or reason to suggest otherwise.
The moment she sees him
Her thought is to please him.
She starts thinking about ways to make him happy as soon as she sees him.
Before he even knows that he's hungry
She's already there with his plate.
She anticipates his needs and has his meal ready before he even realizes he's hungry.
Before his glass is even empty
She's filling it up.
She pays attention to his needs and refills his glass before he asks for more.
God forbid he should wait!
She is very attentive and does not like to keep him waiting for anything.
Before he has the chance to tell her
He's chilly,
She'll go to put a log on the fire.
She is quick to respond to his needs and makes sure he is comfortable without him having to ask.
Fulfilling his ev'ry desire:
No trouble.
No bother.
She does everything she can to fulfill his every need without causing any inconvenience to him.
No wonder she's pretty;
What else should she be?
Her dedication to him reflects in her appearance and makes her more attractive.
She hasn't a worry,
And why should she worry?
She is carefree and does not have any worries because she does everything she can to ensure his happiness.
When she gets up, her biggest decision
Is figuring out what to wear.
To pick a blouse, a skirt,
And then there's the problem of what
Should she do with her hair.
She has the luxury of focusing on her appearance because she does not have to worry about anything else and her partner takes care of everything.
And later, as she stands and studies a chicken,
The question's, "to roast or to not roast?
Or better yet, maybe, a pot roast?
Tomatoes? No.
Potatoes?"
She makes choices about what to cook for him and puts a lot of thought and care into it.
No wonder he likes it;
It's perfect this way.
He likes everything the way it is because she makes sure it is perfect and tailored to his liking.
Who wouldn't want someone who fusses and flatters?
Who makes you feel that you're all that matters.
Whose only aim in life is to serve you,
And make you think she doesn't deserve you.
She does everything she can to make him feel special and loved, and he feels like he is the most important person in her life.
No wonder he loves her;
What else could he do?
It is natural and understandable for him to love her because of everything she does for him.
If I were a man,
I would too!
The artist acknowledges that they would also love someone who treats them with as much care and attention as she does for him.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALAN BERGMAN, MARILYN BERGMAN, MICHEL LEGRAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt