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."
SPEAK LOW
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our summer day withers away too soon, too soon
Speak low when you speak love
Our moment is swift, like ships adrift, we're swept apart, too soon
Speak low, darling, speak low
Love is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon.
I feel wherever i go
Tomorrow is here and always too soon,
Time is so old and love so brief
Love is pure gold and time a thief.
We're late, darling, we're late,
The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon.
I wait, darling, i wait,
Will you speak low to me, speak love to me and soon...
I wait, darling, i wait,
Will you speak low to me,
Slow to me, oh please,
Just don't say no to me
Let it flow to me, slow to me
Soon...soon...soon...
Ooo...soon...darling, speak low to me
Darling, speak slow to me...
Oh, oh, oh!
Barbra Streisand’s song Speak Low is a haunting and romantic tune that speaks of the impermanence of love and the fleeting yet precious moments we share with our loved ones. The first verse sets the tone of the song, emphasizing the importance of speaking low so that the love shared can be preserved. The second verse delves deeper into the ephemeral nature of time and love, hinting at the inevitability of separation and loss.
The chorus, with its repetition of “too soon,” echoes this sentiment and emphasizes the importance of cherishing the present moment. The call-and-response structure of the verse and chorus creates a sense of urgency and yearning, as the singer implores her lover to speak low and speak love to her before it’s too late. The bridge further emphasizes this urgency, as the singer realizes that “tomorrow is near” and “everything ends too soon.”
The final chorus, with its crescendo of “soon,” is a poignant reminder that despite the impermanence of love and life, the memories and moments shared can live on forever. The song is a beautiful tribute to the fleeting yet powerful nature of love and the importance of savoring every moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Speak low when you speak love
Be cautious and tender when expressing your love
Our summer day withers away too soon, too soon
The time we have together is fleeting and passes quickly
Our moment is swift, like ships adrift, we're swept apart, too soon
Our time together is short-lived and before we know it, we'll be separated
Speak low, darling, speak low
Speak in whispers, gently and softly
Love is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon.
Love is a fleeting moment, brief and often not lasting
I feel wherever I go, that tomorrow is near, tomorrow is here and always too soon, time is so old and love so brief, love is pure gold and time a thief.
The singer feels that time is running out, and that the future is uncertain, while love is precious but fleeting.
We're late, darling, we're late, the curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon.
The singer believes that time is running out and everything is coming to an end much too quickly
I wait, darling, I wait, will you speak low to me, speak love to me and soon...
The artist waits for their lover to speak tenderly and affectionately, as time is running short
Will you speak low to me, slow to me, oh please, just don't say no to me, let it flow to me, slow to me, soon...soon...soon... Ooo... soon... darling, speak low to me, darling, speak slow to me... Oh, oh, oh!
The artist implores their lover to speak slowly and softly, to let their love flow slowly and tenderly as time is running out.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KURT WEILL, OGDEN NASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt