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."

The Best Thing You've Ever Done
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Aren't you glad it's finally over?
Don't you feel a whole lot better?
Isn't it a joy to lie alone at night?

Aren't people more exciting
Doesn't music have more meaning
Don't you close your eyes
The moment you close the light

To be rid of all the feeling
How it cluttered up the morning
To be free of all the memories
Every one

Take a bow then take another
Isn't loneliness a winner?
Wasn't leaving me
The best thing you've ever done

To be rid of all the feeling
How it cluttered up the morning
To be free of all the memories
Every one

Take a bow then take another
Isn't loneliness a winner?

Wasn't leaving me
The best thing you've ever done

Overall Meaning

In Barbra Streisand's 'The Best Thing You've Ever Done,' the artist takes on the tough topic of a break-up. She speaks about the aftermath of a relationship ending and how it can be liberating to be free from the emotional baggage of a failed relationship. Streisand asks the former partner if they feel better now that it's over and if they're enjoying their new-found freedom.

Throughout the song, Streisand reflects on the ways in which being single can be more exciting than being in a relationship. She talks about the purity of music and how it can take on new meaning when emotions are heightened. The chorus, "Wasn't leaving me the best thing you've ever done," shows that Streisand has moved on from the relationship and thinks that this is the best outcome.

The song highlights the idea that sometimes the best thing for one person is not the best thing for both people in a relationship. While one may feel free and liberated after ending their romantic relationship, the other person may be left feeling heartbroken and defeated. It's a powerful message that highlights the importance of mutual respect and understanding in a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Aren't you glad it's finally over?
Are you not pleased that our relationship is finally over?

Don't you feel a whole lot better?
Do you now feel immensely relieved and happy?

Isn't it a joy to lie alone at night?
Don't you find it peaceful to sleep alone at night?

Aren't people more exciting
Do you not find the company of other people more stimulating?

Doesn't music have more meaning
Do you not find music more meaningful now?

Don't you close your eyes
Don't you find it difficult to shut your eyes?

The moment you close the light
As soon as you turn off the light

To be rid of all the feeling
To be free from all the emotions we had together

How it cluttered up the morning
How it used to bother us in the mornings

To be free of all the memories
To be relieved of all the memories of us together

Every one
All of them