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."
Roller Skate Rag
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The roller skate rags are really up-to-date back
It's heard every place, you'll find the clan rolls by
Pick your skates, turn your wheels
You're gonna be surprised how your torso feels!
Oui! Oui!
Because in Paree, in gay Paree ‘cross the sea
Turn yo’ hips, take ‘em up
The ever lovely roller skate rag is on the top!
Keep yo’ eyes around the take
Get yo’ torso undulated
Be forever syncopated, knotty
And accelerate
The ever lovely roller skate rag is on the top!
The lyrics of "Roller Skate Rag" by Barbra Streisand are a celebration of the joy and freedom that comes with roller skating. The song calls out to Laura, Sally, Carrie, Norma, Rudy, Polly, and Fanny, likely referring to a group of friends who are all avid roller skaters. The roller skate rags that the song refers to are the popular music of the time that was enjoyed by roller skaters as they moved around the rink. The song is an invitation to join in on the fun and to experience the physical and emotional thrill of roller skating.
The lyrics encourage listeners to pick up their skates and turn their wheels. Skating is presented as a way to exercise and feel the thrill of movement in the body. The reference to Paris suggests that this trend is not just limited to American skaters, but is a global phenomenon. The song invites listeners to turn their hips and take up the ever-lovely roller skate rag. The lyrics encourage skaters to keep their eyes out for obstacles, undulate their torsos, be forever syncopated, which means dancing in rhythm with the music, and accelerate.
"Roller Skate Rag" was released in 1979 and was included on Streisand's album "Wet." The song was written by George Clinton and Grace Cook, and produced by Clinton. It is a departure from the type of song that Streisand is typically known for singing, as it is a funk-inspired disco track that is more dance-oriented.
Line by Line Meaning
LAURA! SALLY! CARRIE! NORMA! RUDY! POLLY! FANNY!
Calling out to Laura, Sally, Carrie, Norma, Rudy, Polly, and Fanny, who are all part of the roller skating crew.
The roller skate rags are really up-to-date back
The roller skates and accompanying music are trendy and modern.
It's heard every place, you'll find the clan rolls by
The roller skating crew can be found wherever the music is playing.
Pick your skates, turn your wheels
Get your skates on and start rolling.
You're gonna be surprised how your torso feels!
Roller skating will give you a good workout for your torso.
Oui! Oui!
Yes, yes! (in French)
Because in Paree, in gay Paree ‘cross the sea
In Paris, the roller skating craze is even bigger.
"Zey" are bigger "zan" none had ever used to be
The roller skates in Paris are bigger than any used before.
Turn yo’ hips, take ‘em up
Move your hips and lift up your skates while skating.
The ever lovely roller skate rag is on the top!
The roller skating and accompanying music are at the height of their popularity.
Keep yo’ eyes around the take
Pay attention to your surroundings while skating.
Get yo’ torso undulated
Move your torso in a wave-like motion while skating.
Be forever syncopated, knotty
Maintain a syncopated rhythm while skating.
And accelerate
Speed up while skating.
Contributed by Caroline M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hollydransfield1653
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
I'm crazy about ya, without ya
For you, I'm strong
I can't do without ya
Oucha-ma-goucha, don't stay too long
I need a little ah, little ooh, little oh
And I'm knocking on wood
Ah, honey, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up
It's so hard to be good
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
Will I be good? Will I be bad?
Don't be a fool, you fool
My little flat, I'm turning that
Into a Sunday school
While you're away I'm here to say
There'll be no ice man there
Singing the blues, I'm gonna use
Nothing but frigidaire
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
Blue over you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be hap-hap-hap-happy
With somebody else
@wotan10950
The skating sequence was supposed to be in the original Broadway show (hence the roller skate logo), but it was too complicated and risky to perform every night. It was reinstated for the movie. If you look closely during the skating ruckus, Streisand’s famous nails are wrapped in splints so that they didn’t break during rehearsal and filming.
@sunnydayzie1202
Such a great scene that leaves the audience wondering - did she really not know how to skate, or did she pretend to not know how in order to spotlight herself as the clown? Because she's doing an awfully good skating job in the second number! Definitely an upgrade from the Coronet Man number in the show!
@marcackerman492
There are just some roles from classic movies that belong to the original stars.
Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird, Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, and Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl. Streisand owns Funny Girl.
@none7405
Exactly! Well said :)
@k2joyce517
I really love❤ this. Thank you for sharing 👍
@hollydransfield1653
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
I'm crazy about ya, without ya
For you, I'm strong
I can't do without ya
Oucha-ma-goucha, don't stay too long
I need a little ah, little ooh, little oh
And I'm knocking on wood
Ah, honey, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up
It's so hard to be good
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
Will I be good? Will I be bad?
Don't be a fool, you fool
My little flat, I'm turning that
Into a Sunday school
While you're away I'm here to say
There'll be no ice man there
Singing the blues, I'm gonna use
Nothing but frigidaire
I'd rather be blue, thinking of you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be happy with somebody else
Blue over you
I'd rather be blue over you
Than be hap-hap-hap-happy
With somebody else
@leaburns9599
* 💘 * Great Acting & Singing!!!
@chelseabaker1994
Okay, the tap dancing in the roller skates, that is impressive.
@zuzieanne1842
Une vraie beauté et une des plus belle voix au monde si ce n'est la plus belle.
@leaburns9599
* 💘 * People absolutely 💯 👌 ❤ adored * Barbara Streisand * 👌 ♥