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."
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The big bad wolf, the big bad wolf
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
Tra la la la la
Long ago there were three pigs
Little handsome piggy wigs
For the big, bad the very big, very bad wolf
Number one was very gay
And he built his house with hay
With a hey hey toot he blew on his flute
And he played around all day
Now number two was fond of jigs
And so he built his house with twigs
Hey, diddle diddle he played on his fiddle
And danced with lady pigs
Number three said, "Nix on tricks
I shall build my house with bricks"
He had no chance to sing or dance
'Cause work and play don't mix
Ha, ha, ha, the two little do little pigs
Just winked and laughed ah, woo
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
The big bad wolf, the big bad wolf
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
Tra la la la la
Came the day when fate did frown
And a wolf blew into town
With a gruff huff puff, he puffed just enough
And the hay house fell right down
One and two were scared to death
Of the big bad wolf's breath
By the hair of your chinny chin I'll blow you in
And the twig house answered yes
No one left but number three
To save that piglet family
So when they knocked, he fast unlocked
And said come in with me
Now they all were safe inside
But the bricks hurt wolf's pride
So, he slid down the chimney and oh, by Jiminey
In a fire he was fried
Oh, oh, oh, the three little free little pigs
Just winked and laughed, ah, woo
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
The big bad wolf, the big bad wolf
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
Tra la la la la
Tra la la, tra la la
Tra la la la la la la la la la la
Who's afraid of the big, big, big
Bad wolf
The lyrics to "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" tell the well-known fairy tale of The Three Little Pigs. The song starts off with a question, "Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?" which is repeated in every verse. The three pigs are introduced early in the song, with each pig given a number and a distinct personality. The first pig is carefree, playing his flute and building his house with hay. The second pig loves to dance and builds his house out of twigs. The third pig is responsible and chooses to build his house out of bricks. When the big bad wolf arrives, he successfully blows away the first two houses but struggles to destroy the third house. Eventually, he attempts to enter the house through the chimney, but ends up getting burned and killed by the pigs.
The song's lyrics can be interpreted in many ways. Many see the song as a warning against laziness and a lack of responsibility. The first two pigs, who build their houses with hay and twigs, respectively, are seen as lazy and careless, in contrast to the third pig who builds his house out of bricks, which takes longer but is safer. Another interpretation of the song is that it is a commentary on the Great Depression, which was occurring when the song was written in 1933. The pigs may represent the American public during this time, while the wolf represents the financial crisis that was threatening everyone's homes.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
Asking rhetorically who is afraid of the big bad wolf, indicating that the singer is not afraid.
The big bad wolf, the big bad wolf
Repeating the name of the antagonist in the story, reinforcing the idea of his presence and threat.
Tra la la la la
Singing a carefree and playful tune, suggesting that the singer is not worried about the wolf.
Long ago there were three pigs
Beginning the story of the three little pigs, framing the rest of the song as a retelling of this traditional tale.
Little handsome piggy wigs
Describing the appearance of the pigs, adding to the charm of the story.
For the big, bad the very big, very bad wolf
Introducing the wolf as the villain of the story, emphasizing his size and evilness.
They did not give three figs
Expressing that the pigs did not care about the wolf, underscoring their nonchalance and confidence.
Number one was very gay
Describing the first pig's cheerful and carefree nature, setting up his carelessness in building his house out of hay.
And he built his house with hay
Telling that the first pig built his house with a weak material that is easily destroyed, highlighting his foolishness.
With a hey hey toot he blew on his flute
Showing the first pig's playful nature as he spends his time playing music instead of working hard to build a better house.
And he played around all day
Emphasizing the first pig's idleness, suggesting that he is not focused on the important task of building a safe and secure home.
Now number two was fond of jigs
Describing the second pig's love for dancing, setting him apart from his brother and foreshadowing his lack of practicality when building his house.
And so he built his house with twigs
Explaining that the second pig also built a flimsy house, this time out of twigs, mirroring his brother's mistake.
Hey, diddle diddle he played on his fiddle
Showing the second pig's lack of concern for the wolf as he spends his time playing music instead of working to build a secure home.
And danced with lady pigs
Continuing to emphasize the second pig's carelessness by indicating that he is not focused on the important task at hand.
Number three said, "Nix on tricks
Describing the third pig's practicality, indicating that he is focused on building a secure home and is not interested in playing around.
I shall build my house with bricks"
Announcing the third pig's decision to build his home with strong and durable bricks, showing that he is taking the potential threat of the wolf seriously.
He had no chance to sing or dance
Explaining that the third pig is focused on working hard to build his secure home, and does not have time for frivolous activities like his brothers.
'Cause work and play don't mix
Summing up the idea that the third pig believes in hard work over leisure activities, and reinforcing the idea that his practical approach to building his home is what will keep him safe from the wolf.
Ha, ha, ha, the two little do little pigs
Mocking the first two pigs for their lack of foresight and practicality, while also indicating that they themselves do not fear the wolf.
Just winked and laughed ah, woo
Indicating the amusement and satisfaction of the third pig at his brothers' foolishness, and his confidence in his own actions.
Came the day when fate did frown
Transitioning to the turning point in the story, indicating that something bad is about to happen to the pigs.
And a wolf blew into town
Introducing the wolf into the story, emphasizing his arrival as ominous and dangerous.
With a gruff huff puff, he puffed just enough
Describing the wolf's method of blowing down the first two pigs' homes, showing his power but also his limited ability to destroy the third pig's sturdy brick house.
And the hay house fell right down
Confirming that the first pig's house was easily destroyed by the wolf, underscoring the foolishness of building with hay.
One and two were scared to death
Showing the fear that the first two pigs experience at the wolf's arrival, suggesting that they were not prepared for this situation.
Of the big bad wolf's breath
Indicating the intense fear the pigs have of the wolf, emphasizing his danger and predatory nature.
By the hair of your chinny chin I'll blow you in
Quoting the wolf's famous threat to blow down the pigs' houses, demonstrating his intent to harm them.
And the twig house answered yes
Showing that the second pig's house could not withstand the wolf's power, indicating that it was also a foolishly built structure.
No one left but number three
Conveying that the third pig is now the only one who can protect his brothers from the wolf, reinforcing the idea that he was the only one who prepared properly for this situation.
To save that piglet family
Making clear that the third pig is determined to protect his family, showing his dedication and bravery.
So when they knocked, he fast unlocked
Showing that the third pig is ready and willing to help his brothers, indicating his kindness and good character.
And said come in with me
Offering his brothers a safe place to hide from the wolf, indicating his compassion and willingness to help others in need.
Now they all were safe inside
Emphasizing that the third pig's brick house was strong enough to protect all three pigs from the wolf, proving his wisdom and good choice in building with sturdy bricks.
But the bricks hurt wolf's pride
Highlighting the frustration and anger the wolf feels at not being able to destroy the third pig's house, showing that the pig was successful in protecting himself and his family.
So, he slid down the chimney and oh, by Jiminey
Describing the wolf's final attempt to defeat the pigs by entering their home through the chimney, showing his desperation and ruthlessness.
In a fire he was fried
Revealing the fate of the wolf at the hands of the clever third pig, showing the triumph of intelligence over brute force.
Oh, oh, oh, the three little free little pigs
Repeating the mockery of the first two pigs from earlier in the song, indicating the humor and satisfaction the pigs feel at outsmarting the wolf.
Just winked and laughed, ah, woo
Reiterating the enjoyment the pigs feel at their victory over the wolf, showing their confidence and pride.
Tra la la la la
Singing a carefree and playful tune once again, indicating that the pigs have come out of the experience unscathed and without worry of future attacks by the big bad wolf.
Tra la la, tra la la
Continuing the joyful melody, emphasizing the happy ending of the story.
Tra la la la la la la la la la la
Concluding the song with a final chorus of the simple, cheery refrain, summarizing the message of the story that the big bad wolf need not be feared.
Who's afraid of the big, big, big
Taunting the big bad wolf again, showing that he has been wholly defeated and is no longer a threat to the pigs.
Bad wolf
Repeating the name of the antagonist one final time, underscoring his defeat.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ann Ronell, Frank Churchill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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