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."

Ribbons Down My Back
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Irene molly:
I'll be wearing ribbons down my back this summer
Blue & green and streaming in the yellow sky
So if someone special comes my way this summer
He might notice me passing by
And so I'll try to make it easier to find me
In the silliness of july
Because a breeze might stir a rainbow up behind me

That might happen to catch the gentleman's eye
And he might smile and take me by the hand
This summer
Making me recall how lovely love can be
And so I will proudly wear
Ribbons down my back

Shining in my hair
That he might notice me!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Barbra Streisand's song Ribbons Down My Back tell the story of Irene Molly, a woman who is hoping to catch the attention of someone special during the summer. She plans to wear ribbons of blue and green, streaming in the yellow sky, in order to make it easier for this man to notice her as she passes by. Irene is strategic in her efforts, knowing that a breeze might stir a rainbow up behind her, causing the gentleman to take notice of her.

The lyrics are both romantic and playful, with Irene acknowledging the silliness of her plan to wear ribbons in the hopes of attracting a man's attention. However, she is also optimistic and hopeful that her plan will work, as she remembers how lovely love can be. Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a woman who is determined to find love, and who is willing to take the necessary steps to make it happen.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll be wearing ribbons down my back this summer
I will be adorning my attire with beautiful ribbons on my back this summer

Blue & green and streaming in the yellow sky
The beautiful ribbons, in shades of blue and green, will be hanging from my back and the yellow sky beyond will accentuate their beauty

So if someone special comes my way this summer
In anticipation of meeting someone special this summer,

He might notice me passing by
I hope this beautiful display of ribbons catches his attention as I walk by

And so I'll try to make it easier to find me
To increase the chances of being noticed, I will make myself more visible with this beautiful display

In the silliness of july
In the casualness and playful spirit of the summer month of July

Because a breeze might stir a rainbow up behind me
The gentle breeze might cause the ribbons to sway and create a rainbow of colors behind me

That might happen to catch the gentleman's eye
This beautiful sight might catch the attention of the special man I hope to meet

And he might smile and take me by the hand
If he is indeed the one, he might express his affection by taking my hand

This summer
This special time of year

Making me recall how lovely love can be
This moment of romantic connection will remind me of how beautiful love can be

And so I will proudly wear
Proudly, I will adorn myself

Ribbons down my back
With beautiful ribbons hanging from my back

Shining in my hair
And reflecting in my hair, adding to my overall radiance