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."
Opening Remarks
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
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Is so great to be here during the "gay games"! because for once I can walk around the city without being recognized. you know? - there are enough guys in town who impersonate me that w
'm out on the streets, nobody thinks it's really me...today I was walking up broadway and a woman said to her husband: "look, it's barbra streisand!" and her husband said: "will why
Op it already, that's the tenth one today, this one is not even close!" this is...this is the city that means most to me in my tour, because it's my home...i was born and raised here...(int
Ted)...pardon me...oh, welcome home did you say, thank you, thank you! yes, the last time I did a concert here in new york, it was central park twenty-seven years ago...so, a lot has happened si
Hen...
Barbra Streisand's "Opening Remarks" seem like a casual interaction with the audience before the start of her concert. The song is a medley of short stories from Barbra’s life and her perspective on the current events in New York City. She talks about various things, including the recent winning of the Stanley Cup by the Rangers, the current standings of the New York Yankees in the Baseball world, and the "Nicks," probably the New York Knicks, who came close to something. She also makes a reference to the Gay Games happening in the city, which she seems happy about because she can roam around unrecognized.
Moreover, Barbra talks about her experience of walking up Broadway incognito, where a woman and her husband recognized her, but the husband's response was not satisfactory. Instead, he asked the woman to stop because he had already seen ten fake Barbra Streisand that day, and the current one was not close enough. This event portrays the irony of fame where people would want to be recognized occasionally and go incognito sometimes. At the end of the song, Barbra talks about how NYC is her home, where she was born and raised. She also talks about her last concert held in Central Park 27 years ago, emphasizing how much has changed since then.
In conclusion, the song does not have any significant meaning, but it connects with the audience and sets the mood for the concert. It presents Barbra's perspectives on the current events and how she has experienced the fame that comes with being a celebrity.
Line by Line Meaning
thank you! what a wonderful week to be in new york!
Expressing gratitude and joy for the opportunity to be present in New York during a great week filled with exciting events.
the rangers won the stanley cup, right here at the garden.
Highlighting the Rangers' recent victory in the Stanley Cup in New York's Garden arena.
the yankees are in first place; the nicks came this close
Mentioning the successful performances of the Yankees and the near success of the Nicks in their respective sports.
Is so great to be here during the gay games! because for once I can walk around the city without being recognized. you know?
Expressing excitement at being able to attend the Gay Games and walk around New York without being recognized due to the prevalence of Barbra Streisand impersonators in the city.
- there are enough guys in town who impersonate me that when I'm out on the streets, nobody thinks it's really me...
Reiterating the prevalence of Barbra Streisand impersonators in New York and how it affects her ability to be recognized when walking around the city unnoticed.
today I was walking up broadway and a woman said to her husband: 'look, it's barbra streisand!' and her husband said: 'will why don't you ask her to sing something?'
Recalling an instance where a woman recognized her and asked her to sing, highlighting how often people in New York mistake impersonators for the real Barbra Streisand.
this is...this is the city that means most to me in my tour, because it's my home...i was born and raised here...
Expressing how much New York means to her as it is her hometown and where she was born and raised.
pardon me...oh, welcome home did you say, thank you, thank you! yes, the last time I did a concert here in new york, it was central park twenty-seven years ago...
Clarifying that she misheard someone welcome her home and acknowledging the last time she performed in New York was 27 years ago in Central Park.
so, a lot has happened since then...
Acknowledging that a lot has changed in New York since her last performance there 27 years ago.
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Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt