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."
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah but I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?
I wonder who's arms will hold you good and tight
When it's exactly 12 o'clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Year's Eve
Out of a thousand invitations you'll receive
Ah but it case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve
Maybe I'm crazy to suppose that you'd choose me
Oh! But in case I stand one little chance
Here comes that jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year
New Year's Eve!
Oh, let's get together New Year's
New Year's Eve
In this song, Barbra Streisand is expressing her insecurities and desires to spend New Year's Eve with someone special. She knows that there are many other people who will be vying for the attention of the person she's singing to, but she can't help wondering if just maybe she could be the one they choose to spend the evening with. She asks whether they have any plans for New Year's Eve, wondering who they will be spending the night with when the clock strikes midnight. She's hoping that they might choose to spend the holiday together and is willing to take a chance on this possibility.
Throughout the song, Barbra is struggling with her own feelings of inadequacy, feeling like she's not good enough for this person or their affection. However, she's still willing to put herself out there and ask this person if they would like to spend New Year's Eve with her, hoping that they may have similar feelings towards her. She's ultimately leaving the decision up to them, but she's hopeful that they might choose to spend the evening together.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe it's much too early in the game
Perhaps it's too soon to ask, but I want to know
Ah but I thought I'd ask you just the same
Regardless of timing, I still want to ask
What are you doing New Year's
How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
I wonder who's arms will hold you good and tight
I'm curious about whose embrace you'll find comfort in
When it's exactly 12 o'clock that night
At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve
Welcoming in the New Year
Celebrating the start of a new year
Maybe I'm crazy to suppose I'd ever be the one you chose
I understand it's unlikely you'll choose me
Out of a thousand invitations you'll receive
You'll likely have many options for New Year's Eve plans
Ah but it case I stand one little chance
Although it's a long shot, I still have hope
Here comes the jackpot question in advance
I'm about to ask the important question
Oh, let's get together New Year's
Let's make plans to spend New Year's Eve together
New Year's Eve
The night bridging the end of one year and the start of another
Maybe I'm crazy to suppose that you'd choose me
I know it's unlikely that you'd pick me
What are you doing New Year
How will you be celebrating New Year's Eve?
Here comes that jackpot question in advance
I'm going to ask the big question
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Loesser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt