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 Boy Next Door
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew he was just my style
My only regret is we've never met
For I dream of him all the while
No matter how I may persist
So it's clear to see there's no hope for me
Though I live at 5135, Kensington Avenue
And he lives at 5133
How can I ignore the boy next door
I love him more than I can say
Doesn't try to please me
Doesn't even tease me
And he never sees me glance his way
And though I'm heart-soured
The little boy next door affection for me won't display
I just adore him
So I can't ignore him the boy next door
The lyrics of The Boy Next Door by Barbra Streisand speak of a woman's love for the boy living next to her. She is enamored by him from the moment she saw him smiling and realizes that he is just her type. However, she is sad that they have never met, and she dreams about him all the while. Even though the woman lives right next to him, he does not even know she exists or tries to notice her in any way. She feels helpless as it is clear to her that there is no hope for them.
The woman's love grows stronger for the little boy next door as he never tries to please or even tease her. She is infatuated with everything about him but is heart-soured as she knows that he does not have any affection for her. However, the woman is unable to ignore him because of her strong feelings towards him. It is a bittersweet song about an unrequited love that the woman tries to cope with, but her feelings never wane.
Line by Line Meaning
The moment I saw him smile
As soon as I witnessed his smile, an unexplainable connection formed between us that immediately piqued my interest and fascination.
I knew he was just my style
I intuitively understood that he embodied everything I found attractive, and he fit the exact type of person I typically gravitate towards.
My only regret is we've never met
I deeply yearn for the opportunity to cross paths and potentially form a connection with him, but unfortunately, we have yet to meet.
For I dream of him all the while
He's constantly on my mind, and even when I close my eyes at night, I find myself imagining different scenarios where we finally meet and fall in love.
But he doesn't know I exist
Despite my overwhelming desire to connect with him, I'm coming to terms with the fact that he has no knowledge of my presence or existence.
No matter how I may persist
I've tried numerous tactics to capture his attention, but despite my persistence, I haven't been successful in garnering any sort of response from him.
So it's clear to see there's no hope for me
I'm beginning to understand that my desire for him is fruitless, and that the chance of him feeling the same way is negligible, which is a harsh reality to face.
Though I live at 5135, Kensington Avenue
Even though we reside in the same neighborhood, our paths have yet to cross, and we're essentially strangers living in close proximity to one another.
And he lives at 5133
He lives just a few houses down from me, which only adds to the frustration and longing I feel towards him.
How can I ignore the boy next door
Despite knowing that our story likely won't have a happy ending, my feelings for him are too strong to be ignored, and so I'm left trying to reconcile my emotions and make peace with reality.
I love him more than I can say
My emotions have a depth that's difficult to comprehend or articulate, and so the phrase 'I love him' barely begins to scratch the surface of the feelings I have for him.
Doesn't try to please me
He's not actively trying to win me over, and there's a part of me that appreciates that he's not faking or modifying his behavior in order to impress me.
Doesn't even tease me
There's no indication that he's even aware of my existence, let alone attempting to flirt or tease me in any way.
And he never sees me glance his way
Even if I try to subtly acknowledge his presence by glancing in his direction, he never seems to reciprocate or return the gesture, which is a significant source of disappointment for me.
And though I'm heart-soured
Despite all the obstacles and hurdles that stand between us, my feelings for him haven't wavered or faded, and are only growing stronger as time goes on.
The little boy next door affection for me won't display
I'm coming to terms with the fact that he likely doesn't have the same level of affection or interest in me as I do in him, and so I'm trying to manage my expectations and emotions accordingly.
I just adore him
At the end of the day, despite the challenges and obstacles we face, I can't help but feel a deep sense of admiration and affection towards him, even if things don't work out the way I hope they will.
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Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt