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."
Pretty Women/The Ladies Who Lunch
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
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Fascinating
Sippin' coffee
Dancing, pretty women
Are a wonder, pretty women
Sitting in the window or
Standing on the stair
Something in them cheers the air
Silhouetted
Stay within you
Glancing stay forever
Breathing lightly, pretty women
Pretty women
Blowing out their candles or
Combing out their hair
Even when they leave
They still are there
They're there
Sipping coffee
Here's to the ladies who lunch
Everybody laugh
Lounging in their caftans and
Planning a brunch
On their own behalf
Off to the gym
Then to a fitting
Claiming they're fat
And looking grim
'Cause they've been sitting
Choosing a hat
I'll drink to that!
Here's to the girls who just watch
Aren't they the best
When they get depressed
It's a bottle of scotch
Plus a little jest!
Another chance to disapprove
Another brilliant zinger
Another reason not to move
Another vodka stinger
I'll drink to that!
And here's to the girls who play wife
Aren't they too much
Keeping house but clutching a copy of "Life"
Just to keep in touch
The ones who follow the rules
And meet themselves at the schools
Too busy to know that they're fools
Aren't they a gem
I'll drink to them
Let's all drink to
Pretty women, fascinating
How they make a man sing
Here's to the girls on the go
Everybody tries
Look into their eyes
And you'll see what they know
Everybody dies
A toast to that invincible bunch
The dinosaurs surviving the crunch
Let's hear it for the ladies who lunch
Everybody rise
Everybody rise
Pretty women at their mirrors
In their gardens
On committees, telephoning
Window shopping table hopping
Pretty women giving parties
Never stopping
Gossip swapping, capsule popping
Everybody rise, everybody rise
Everybody rise
Rise, rise, rise, rise
Pretty women rise!
The first part of the song is an ode to the beauty of women. The lyrics describe how pretty women are fascinating, like a wonder that always manages to cheer up the atmosphere. The verses portray women in different situations, some sipping coffee, others combing their hair or blowing out their candles, yet they all share a certain allure that captivates people. Even when they leave, they remain with you.
The second part of the song takes a different tone and introduces a group of women who are lounging, planning, drinking, laughing, and joking. These are the ladies who lunch, who have leisure time, money, and nothing to do but to follow the latest trends, hit the gym, and plan a brunch. They are sarcastic, critical, and perhaps even cynical about the world around them. They scoff at the women who followed the rules and the ones who play wife, and they are proud of themselves for being free spirits.
The song seems to be a commentary on the different ways women are perceived and how they see themselves. From the outside, pretty women are objects of beauty that inspire wonder, admiration, and desire. However, from the inside, women are complex creatures who face societal pressure, struggle with their self-image, and strive for independence and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty women
Beautiful women
Fascinating
They are captivating and intriguing
Sippin' coffee
They drink coffee while doing their daily activities
Dancing, pretty women
Beautiful women dancing
Are a wonder, pretty women
They are incredible and amazing
Sitting in the window or
They can be found sitting by the window or
Standing on the stair
Standing on the staircase
Something in them cheers the air
Just their presence alone can brighten up the environment
Pretty women
Beautiful women
Silhouetted
Appearing dark against a light background
Stay within you
Their image stays in your mind
Glancing stay forever
Their fleeting glance remains a cherished memory
Breathing lightly, pretty women
Beautiful women who breathe gently
Pretty women
Beautiful women
Blowing out their candles or
Blowing out candles on their birthday cake or
Combing out their hair
Brushing their hair
Even when they leave
Even when they leave your presence
They still are there
You can still feel their impact
Here's to the ladies who lunch
This is a toast to women who have leisure time
Everybody laugh
Everyone laughs together
Lounging in their caftans and
Relaxing and wearing loose-fitting clothing
Planning a brunch
Organizing a mid-morning meal
On their own behalf
For themselves
Off to the gym
Going to the gym to work out
Then to a fitting
Going for a fitting of new clothes
Claiming they're fat
Saying they are overweight
And looking grim
Appearing sad or serious
'Cause they've been sitting
As a result of sitting down for too long
Choosing a hat
Picking out a hat to wear
I'll drink to that!
A celebratory remark
Here's to the girls who just watch
A toast to women who prefer to observe
Aren't they the best
They are great
When they get depressed
When they become sad
It's a bottle of scotch
They turn to alcohol to feel better
Plus a little jest!
They use humor to cope with their feelings
Another chance to disapprove
An opportunity to express negativity
Another brilliant zinger
Another witty remark
Another reason not to move
Another excuse to remain stagnant
Another vodka stinger
Another drink made with vodka
Here's to the girls who play wife
A toast to women who fulfill the traditional 'wife' role
Aren't they too much
Aren't they wonderful
Keeping house but clutching a copy of 'Life'
Performing housework while reading a magazine called 'Life'
Just to keep in touch
To stay informed and connected
The ones who follow the rules
Women who adhere to the norms of society
And meet themselves at the schools
Meeting other mothers at school during pick-up and drop-off times
Too busy to know that they're fools
They are too occupied with their daily routine to realize their mistakes
Aren't they a gem
Aren't they lovely
I'll drink to them
A celebratory remark
Pretty women, fascinating
Beautiful women who are captivating
How they make a man sing
Their beauty can have a profound impact on men
Here's to the girls on the go
A toast to women who are always on the move
Everybody tries
Everyone makes an effort
Look into their eyes
Stare into their eyes
And you'll see what they know
You'll discover their secrets
Everybody dies
Everyone will eventually pass away
A toast to that invincible bunch
A celebratory remark for those who feel indestructible
The dinosaurs surviving the crunch
Those who have survived through tough times
Let's hear it for the ladies who lunch
A cheer for women who have leisure time
Everybody rise
Everyone stands up (in applause)
Pretty women at their mirrors
Beautiful women looking at themselves in the mirror
In their gardens
Outside in their garden area
On committees, telephoning
On committees and making phone calls
Window shopping table hopping
Looking at store windows and visiting different restaurants/cafes
Pretty women giving parties
Beautiful women hosting parties
Never stopping
They never take a break
Gossip swapping, capsule popping
Exchanging rumors and taking pills
Everybody rise, everybody rise
Everyone stands up (in applause)
Everybody rise
Everyone stands up (in applause)
Everybody rise
Everyone stands up (in applause)
Rise, rise, rise, rise
The act of standing up
Pretty women rise!
Beautiful women stand up (in applause)
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt