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 Woman In The Moon
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was warned as a child of thirteen
Not to act too strong
Try to look like you belong but don't push girl
Save your time and trouble
Don't misbehave
I was raised in a "no you don't world"
Overrun with rules
Memorize your lines and move as directed

That's an age old story
Everybody knows that's a worn out song
But you and i are changing that tune
We're learning new rhythms from the woman
I said the woman in the moon

Little sister, little brother
Keep on pushin'
Don't believe a word about
Things you heard about
Askin' too much too soon
Cause they can hold back the tide
But they can never hold the woman in the moon

I believe there's a best of both worlds
Mixing old and new
Recognizing change is seldom expected
As i long suspected
They believed that strange was a word for wrong
Well not in my song
Cause you, you and i are changing that tune
We're learning new rhythms from that woman in the moon

Little sister, little brother
Keep on pushin'
Don't believe a word about
Things you heard about
Askin' too much too soon
Cause they can hold back the tide

But they can never hold the woman
I said the woman in the moon

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Barbra Streisand's "The Woman In The Moon" talk about breaking away from the traditional roles and expectations that society has set for women. The song speaks of a time when children are warned to tone down their strength and not fight against gender roles, to avoid conflict and trouble. It tells of a world where people are expected to play their roles perfectly by memorizing their lines and moving as directed. However, the song also highlights the change in attitudes and the courage to stand up against traditionalism, to embrace and learn new rhythms from the "woman in the moon" who represents the free spirit and the unconventional ways of life.

The lyrics encourage the younger generation to push forward, disregard the negative beliefs or stereotypes, and not be afraid to ask for more or seek change. It emphasizes that while some may try to hold them back, they can never hold back the woman in the moon symbolizing the free spirit and will of women. The lyrics are upbeat and energetic, appealing to the strength and force that women can bring to the table while also reminding them that progress takes time and courage.

Line by Line Meaning

I was warned as a child of thirteen
At a young age, I was advised not to appear too dominant or forceful.

Not to act too strong
I was advised not to display a dominating attitude.

Try to look like you belong but don't push girl
I was advised to blend in with the crowd while maintaining a low profile, without being pushy.

Save your time and trouble
It was suggested that I not waste too much time or energy in unnecessary activities.

Don't misbehave
I was advised to behave in a proper and dignified manner.

I was raised in a "no you don't world"
I grew up in a world where I was told what I couldn't do, rather than what I could.

Overrun with rules
The world I grew up in had strict rules and regulations.

Memorize your lines and move as directed
I was expected to learn and follow a predetermined script or set of instructions.

That's an age old story
This is a common and deeply ingrained societal norm.

Everybody knows that's a worn out song
This is a widely recognized and outdated way of thinking.

But you and i are changing that tune
We are breaking away from these outdated norms and forging our own path.

We're learning new rhythms from the woman
We are taking inspiration and learning new ways of living from the archetypal figure of the powerful woman.

I said the woman in the moon
This symbolizes the powerful, female figure that transcends traditional gender roles and societal expectations.

Little sister, little brother
A term of encouragement and camaraderie with fellow young people.

Keep on pushin'
Don't give up, keep striving towards your goals and vision.

Don't believe a word about
Don't listen or be swayed by the negative voices and limitations put upon you by society.

Things you heard about
Anything that has been said or taught that limits your potential or inhibits your growth.

Askin' too much too soon
Being ambitious or asking for more than what is perceived as socially acceptable or appropriate.

Cause they can hold back the tide
Those who try to limit and restrict progress may have some sway in the short term, but ultimately progress cannot be stopped.

But they can never hold the woman in the moon
The ideals and aspirations represented by the powerful, transcendent image of the woman in the moon cannot be restrained or limited by societal norms and conventions.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL H. WILLIAMS, KENNY ASCHER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS