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."

Simple Man
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

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I am a simple girl
And I sing a simple song
I've never been so much in love
And never hurt so bad
At the same time
I am a simple girl
And I play a simple tune
I wish that I could see you

Once again across the room
Like the first time
I just wanna hold ya
I don't wanna hold ya down
I hear what you're saying'
And you're spinning my head around
And I can't make it alone
The ending of the tale
Is the singing of the song
All make me proud to be a woman;
Only you can make me strong
Like the last time
I just wanna hold ya
I don't wanna hold ya down
I hear what you're saying'
And you're spinning my head around

And I can't make it alone
I don't wanna make it alone

Overall Meaning

In Barbra Streisand's song "Simple Man", the lyrics express the simplicity of a girl who sings a simple song and plays a simple tune. The girl is in love, yet is also experiencing pain and heartbreak at the same time. The desire to see the one she loves again is expressed as she wishes to see him across the room, like the first time they met. The lyrics further express the female's desire to hold onto her love, yet not wanting to hold him down. The emotions expressed in the lyrics are relatable, as they express the complexities of love.

The poetic lyrics of "Simple Man" are a reminder of the power of simplicity. The song informs us that love may be complicated and bring heartache, but the power of the human heart is strong enough to endure it all. The lyrics are a reflection of the beauty of simplicity in a world that is often complex and complicated.

Line by Line Meaning

I am a simple girl
I am content with the simple things in life.

And I sing a simple song
My music is straightforward and unpretentious.

I've never been so much in love
I have never felt this intensely about someone before.

And never hurt so bad
At the same time, I am also experiencing intense pain because of this love.

At the same time
These two feelings coexist within me simultaneously.

And I play a simple tune
My musical abilities are not complex, but they come from my heart.

I wish that I could see you
I yearn for the sight of the person I love.

Once again across the room
Just like when we first met and fell in love.

Like the first time
The memory of that first meeting still brings me joy.

I just wanna hold ya
All I want is to be close to the person I love.

I don't wanna hold ya down
I don't want to restrict or limit the person I love in any way.