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."
Unusual Way
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a very unusual way you were my friend
Maybe it lasted a day, maybe it lasted an hour
But somehow it will never end
In a very unusual way I think I’m in love with you
In a very unusual way I want to cry
Something inside me goes weak
And you’re the reason why, you’re the reason why
You don’t know what you do to me, you don’t have a clue
You can’t tell what it’s like to be me looking at you
It’s scares me so that I can hardly speak
In a very unusual way I owe what I am to you
Though at times it appears I won’t stay, I never go
Special to me in my life, since the first day that I met you
How could I ever forget you once you had touched my soul?
In a very unusual way you’ve made me whole
Barbra Streisand's "Unusual Way" is a love song with lyrics that explore the conflicting and complex feelings that arise when emotions go unrequited. The singer describes a situation where they needed the person they are addressing in an unusual way, and that person became their friend. This friendship may have lasted only a short time, but its impact will never end. The singer then admits that they think they are in love with this person in an unusual way and that something inside them goes weak and surrenders when they think of them, indicating vulnerability and a sense of powerlessness.
The singer acknowledges that the person they love does not know what they do to them or how much they mean to them. The mere act of looking at them is overwhelming, and the singer is scared that they can hardly speak. Despite all of this, the singer appreciates how the person has made them whole in a very unusual way. The lyrics suggest that this love may not be straightforward or typical, but it is still valid and meaningful.
Overall, the song is about unrequited love or love that is not easily recognized or reciprocated. It speaks to the complexities of human emotions and the many nuances of love that go beyond traditional notions of romance and commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
In a very unusual way, one time I needed you
There was an instance when I needed you in a way that is out of the ordinary
In a very unusual way you were my friend
You were my friend in a way that was unique and different
Maybe it lasted a day, maybe it lasted an hour
The duration of our relationship may have been short, it may have been longer
But somehow it will never end
But it will never truly come to a complete end
In a very unusual way I think I’m in love with you
I believe that I am in love with you in a way that is unconventional
In a very unusual way I want to cry
I have a strong desire to cry that is different than usual
Something inside me goes weak
I feel a weakness inside me that is unusual
Something inside me surrenders
I feel a surrendering within me that is not normal
And you’re the reason why, you’re the reason why
Your presence is the cause of these unusual feelings
You don’t know what you do to me, you don’t have a clue
You are not aware of the impact you have on me
You can’t tell what it’s like to be me looking at you
You can not understand how I feel when I look at you
It’s scares me so that I can hardly speak
My fear is so strong that I can barely speak
In a very unusual way I owe what I am to you
You have had an influence on my life that is distinct and unique
Though at times it appears I won’t stay, I never go
There are times when it may seem like I am leaving, but I never truly go
Special to me in my life, since the first day that I met you
You have been significant to me since the day we first met
How could I ever forget you once you had touched my soul?
It would be impossible for me to forget you once you have had such a profound impact on my soul
In a very unusual way you’ve made me whole
You have completed me in a way that is unusual and distinctive
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MAURY YESTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GottaBeME2
WOW! TY FOR POSTING THIS! I'M ON A KICK WITH THUS SONG. .AND FINDING BARBRA DOING IT..AMAZING!❤️
@albertoolarte206
She really mastered her craft aside from her natural talent.
@johnnyl4107
Unbelievable one of her best performances ever
@bethpeters3187
She was given to us so we could hear the most beautiful voice ever gifted to another human being. She's such a superstar it's hard to imagine she's human. She was picked by God, I am convinced of that.
@kevinryan4857
A hypnotic, stunningly beautiful reading of a gorgeous song. Streisand sounds like a finely tuned cello. Absolutely mesmerizing.
@donnaparisi120
Beautiful 😢❤
@susanmema7738
Its so easy to listen and just relax..and slip into peace..with her voice
@rufusthebrave
Played this as the last piece at my partners funeral. We were neighbours who became life partners. He died at home as was his wish. There are no words for the woman left behind after the death of a life partner so I say I'm a widow without a husband. There is comfort in the words of this song.
@oscar646
Thank you for such a wonderful sharing.
@leniesjazz
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL JUST BEAUTIFUL ALWAYS