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."
Some Good Things Never Last
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're nowhere in sight
And all that I wanted was
To be with you
Tonight
I've watched love get closer
And then fade away
I've seen you believe in me
But what good is holding on
When you know
That all you can think about
Is letting go
They say if you love someone
Then set them free
If they come back again
Then in the end
It was meant to be
I thought we were lovers
I thought we were friends
I guess when reality
Steps in
The dreaming ends
We live for the future
We learn from the past
No matter how hard we try
Some good things never last
All you can think about
Is letting go
Be true to yourself my love
That's all I ever wanted you to be
Just don't forget to smile
When you think of me
I'll reach for the stars
I have got them in sight
There's someone who really needs me
Out there in the night
We'll live for the future
We'll learn form the past
No matter how hard we try
Some good things never last
Why can't they last?
In Barbra Streisand's song "Some Good Things Never Last," we're presented with a deeply emotional depiction of a relationship that's slowly fading. Streisand croons about being left alone, disappointed and heartbroken by someone who she believed in and wanted to be with desperately. The verses paint a picture of a relationship that had started out with great promise, "love get[ting] closer", only to wither away into nothing.
Streisand agonizes over the situation and wonders what's the point of "holding on" when all she can "think about is letting go." She knows that love isn't something that she can keep on clinging to just because it feels comfortable or familiar, especially when she's not feeling loved in return.
The song takes a slight optimistic turn when Streisand echoes the adage "if you love someone then set them free" and encourages her partner to be true to themselves. She accepts that some relationships may not work out because some good things never last. The song's final moments are filled with hope as Streisand declares that she'll keep looking for someone who really needs her and that they'll learn from the past, living for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
It's three in the morning
The singer is awake in the early morning.
You're nowhere in sight
The person they long for is absent.
And all that I wanted was
The singer had a simple desire.
To be with you
They wish to be with the person they love.
I've watched love get closer
The artist has observed the progression of love.
And then fade away
But has seen it end as well.
I've seen you believe in me
Their partner has had faith in them.
I've seen you trying to stay
They've made an effort to hold on.
But what good is holding on
Despite their efforts, they wonder what the point is.
When you know
When you already realize
That all you can think about
The only thing occupying your mind
Is letting go
Is the idea of giving up
They say if you love someone
There's an old adage surrounding love.
Then set them free
It involves allowing the person you love to be free.
If they come back again
If they return to you
Then in the end
Ultimately, when all is said and done
It was meant to be
It was always destined to happen.
I thought we were lovers
There was an assumption of a romantic connection.
I thought we were friends
Additionally, there was an assumption of friendship.
I guess when reality
However, when the truth
Steps in
Is finally revealed
The dreaming ends
The fantasy comes to a close.
We live for the future
Humans often think and act with future aspirations.
We learn from the past
While also reflecting on past experiences.
No matter how hard we try
Despite their best efforts
Some good things never last
Some wonderful things unfortunately don't endure.
Be true to yourself my love
The singer encourages their partner to be authentic to themselves.
That's all I ever wanted you to be
It's the only expectation the artist has.
Just don't forget to smile
They hope their parting words will bring joy.
When you think of me
Especially when they ponder the singer.
I'll reach for the stars
The singer will aim for the highest aspirations.
I have got them in sight
And has them in their gaze.
There's someone who really needs me
The artist believes they have an important role to play.
Out there in the night
In the darkness, someone is waiting.
We'll live for the future
Together, the future is the focus.
We'll learn form the past
Together, the past is the teacher.
No matter how hard we try
Even if they really make an effort.
Some good things never last
The wonderful parts of life just don't endure the way we want them to.
Why can't they last?
A final plea for answers.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK RADICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt