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 Matters Most
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What matters is how well we loved each other
It's not how far we've traveled on our way
But what we found to say
It's not the springs we've see
But all the shades of green
It's not how long I held you in my arms
It's not how many summertimes
We have to give to fall
The early morning smiles
We wistfully recall
What matters most is that we loved at all
It's not how many summertimes
We have to give to fall
The laughter and the tears
We gratefully recall
What matters most is that we loved at all
In Barbra Streisand's song What Matters Most, the singer emphasizes that the duration of a relationship is not as important as the quality of love and connection. The first stanza stresses that what matters is not how long couples hold each other's hand but how well they have loved each other. The second stanza continues in the same vein, stating that the sweetness of the years together matters more than how long they were in each other's arms or how many summertimes they have left. The singer is saying that it's not the external or physical aspects of their relationship that matter most, but their emotional connection and the memories they create together.
The last stanza adds that what really matters is not how many summertimes they get but the laughter and tears they recall gratefully. The fact that they loved at all is the most essential thing. This could mean that even if they went through difficult times or had to deal with hardships, if their love remained strong, they would have everything they need to be happy.
These lyrics resonate with anyone who has experienced a deep and loving relationship. It reminds us that we should cherish the moments we have with our loved ones and aim for a connection that transcends time. The song's melody is gentle and reflective, matching the introspective tone of the lyrics. Overall, What Matters Most is a poignant reflection on love, loss, and the beauty of a life lived with someone we love.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not how long we held each other's hands
The length of time our hands were clasped isn't important
What matters is how well we loved each other
The quality of love and affection between us is what counts
It's not how far we've traveled on our way
The distance we covered isn't significant
But what we found to say
The words we exchanged hold more weight
It's not the springs we've seen
The number of spring seasons we experienced isn't crucial
But all the shades of green
The hues of green we beheld have more meaning
It's not how long I held you in my arms
The duration I embraced you is immaterial
What matters is how sweet the years together
But rather how memorable and sweet the time spent together was
It's not how many summertimes
The number of summertimes there are to count is insignificant
We have to give to fall
Compared to the fond memories we made in summer, as they lead to autumn and the years to come
The early morning smiles
The smiles shared in the morning have a deeper impact
We wistfully recall
We fondly and nostalgically remember them
What matters most is that we loved at all
What truly matters is that we loved despite all odds and challenges
The laughter and the tears
The joy and sorrow we shared was significant
We gratefully recall
We reflect upon those moments with gratitude and thankfulness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALAN BERGMAN, DAVE GRUSIN, MARILYN BERGMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Higgins
Her phrasing, diction and the emotion she conveys in this song are so superb. Miss Streisand has got to rank as one of the finest singers of popular music in the world today.
jonas123ization
I love streisand. I've suffered two heart, stroke, cancer and lost my five mos old first beautiful daughter and everytime I listen to barbra her words and voice strengthens me and lets me know I will be ok in Gods arm . Thanks barbra for allowing us to listen to you you are God sent.
jorge glez
I still don't understand why, but every time I hear this beautiful version of this song, I have to cry. What a heavenly voice! Many thanks to Streisand and the Bergmans for so many hours of pleasure they have given to us.
Some Guy
Every time i hear this song i cry, from the first listen in 2011 till today. I always wondered if anyone else had the same reaction.
Diana Eastaff
Streisand perfection - the ultimate album
Der Stein Von Sued
I love how her voice sounds better and better year after year :)
ahfaxthis
Ms Streisand, THANK YOU, for giving so much so often. I still laugh when I watch WHAT'S UP DOC. I was in the theatre in 1973 and have since watched the movie so many times. I bought nearly everyone one of your cds since 1982 when I grew up and moved away from home. My Mom played your music all the time in the 70's. She loved you. I love you. We both respect you for continuing to make music. Bless you. I shed a tear of happiness for what you are giving to us all. THANKS !
AbrahamDiner
Overall very good cd. Very relaxing melodies for these tense moments. I would personally have added MOONLIGHT from the film SABRINA, I know that it is another moon song and another bissa nova beat song. And in the hits CD I would have added ON MY WAY TO YOU, with all those wonderful cinematic lyrics, perfect for Barbra the director. Congratulations.
Linda Thomas
have the HUGE iconic stage presence and stardome she does. She's still amazing. Still has that beautiful voice and put on a spectacular show. Worth the huge amt of money I paid to see her.. I was near the front, so you can imagine the price I paid. I would say it was worth every penny. The beginning when she filmed her whole life from little girl to star was amazing, the 60 piece orchestra was still amazing.. Barbra was timeless, funny, looked at ease with the crowd and she was Barbra amazing.
Linda Thomas
Her concert in Brooklyn was sheer perfection. I wanted to see more of Barbra and her son and sister singing more. Not alone.. Jason and Rosilyn alone. Barbra's the legend we all paid tickets to see and nontheless, it did make the perfect concert. She's sheer perfection, whether she states she is or not because she doesn't like to use the words perfection any longer, she states she strives for excellence. The point is, for as long as she's been around, most actors/singers stop working or just