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 Way We Were
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Misty water-colored mem'ries of the way we were
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
Mem'ries may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember the way we were
The way we were
"The Way We Were," a famous ballad song by Barbra Streisand, is an introspective journey down memory lane. The opening line, "Mem'ries light the corners of my mind," sets the tone for an emotional lyrical exploration of the past. The mood and ambiance are immediately set with "misty water-colored mem'ries," which conjures a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality. As the song progresses, Streisand highlights an enigma - the simplicity of the past. She wonders whether it was all so simple then, or has time rewritten every line, proposing the dichotomy of the present and the past. Streisand's poignant verses remind the listener that while we often forget the things too painful to remember, it's the laughter that we'll recall whenever we remember the way we were.
Line by Line Meaning
Mem'ries light the corners of my mind
The memories of our past experiences constantly cross my thoughts
Misty water-colored mem'ries of the way we were
The memories we created together are hazy but still hold great significance in my mind
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
The photos we took together capture the joyful moments we shared in the past
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were
We smiled at each other to acknowledge and cherish the way we were together
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Was our past relationship truly as effortless as it seemed at the time?
Or has time rewritten every line
Could the passage of time have distorted my perceptions and recollections of our past?
If we had the chance to do it all again, tell me, would we, could we
If we could relive our memories, would we do anything differently?
Mem'ries may be beautiful and yet
While the memories we created together are special and meaningful to me
What's too painful to remember
There are some painful memories that I would rather not dwell on
We simply choose to forget
As a coping mechanism, I choose to forget the painful memories and cling to the happy ones
So it's the laughter we will remember
Despite the ups and downs of our relationship, the memories that make us smile will endure
Whenever we remember the way we were
When we reminisce about our relationship in the past, the memories that stick out the most are the ones that made us happy
The way we were
Our past relationship, with all its joys and trials, will always be a significant part of my life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kountryedge
Memories
Light the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories
Of the way we were
Scattered pictures
Of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
For the way we were
Can it be that it was all so simple then?
Or has time re-written every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, would we?
Could we?
Memories
May be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply to choose to forget
So it's the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were
The way we were
@lindakidd4602
My mother died of breast cancer in 1971. The years roll by but there's never a day I don't think of her. She was an amazing woman and I have always hoped to be half as wonderful as she. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 - two months after my husband died. Thankfully we caught it early. So far so good. Thank God for the wonders of modern medicine. This song means so much to me as well. Thank you Barbra .. you are incredible!!!
@user-yz9rr8nl6o
Emotions
@michellekarns8012
Blessings and sending love. Take care.
@Hickory-ez8gv
I’m so sorry to hear of you loss, and even your husband’s passing I can’t imagine the grief I pray you will be strengthened and comforted in each day; cancer is a terrible disease, older sister was diagnosed just last week and I’m praying she will get through and I can be there just like with our mom; God bless and comfort all who are grieving and miss their mothers
@honesty2476
Live each day like it’s your last! Enjoy your life and do all the wonderful things,
People donot realize tomorrow is not promised to anyone and you donot have to have cancer! People spend so much time taking life for granted.
@nancysiuyeehui178
Fantastic and emotional ❤
@jackguarincutad7152
who still listening 2024
@ATHENECUNILARIA
🧏♀️ BRASIL 🇧🇷
@TJSN1000
Who the hail you are?
@hoozerob
That's a no brainer with timeless classics like these.