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 Are You Now?
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But when he makes a late appearance at the party, she's angry at him until
He tells her that a hurricane has destroyed their casino and he's lost all
Her money. Fanny doesn't think it's that big a deal, and this makes nick
Angry. fanny doesn't understand why:
Who are you now,
Now that you're mine?
Than you were before?
Are you warmer in the rain,
Are you stronger for my touch,
Am I giving too little
By my lovin' you too much?
How is the view,
Sunny and green?
How do you compare it to
The views you've seen?
I know I am better, braver and surer too,
But you are, you now
Who are you now?
Are you someone better for my love?
The lyrics to Barbra Streisand's song "Who Are You Now?" focus on the relationship between Fanny and Nick. At the beginning, Fanny is worried because she realizes Nick is not present for her opening night. However, when he finally arrives late to the party, Fanny becomes angry with him until he reveals that their casino has been destroyed by a hurricane, resulting in the loss of all their money. Fanny, surprisingly, doesn't see this as a major issue, which irritates Nick. The song then poses the question, "Who are you now, now that you're mine?" Fanny wonders if Nick has changed since they became a couple, if he has become something more than he was before.
Fanny questions whether Nick has become warmer in the rain, stronger because of her touch, or if she is giving too little while loving him too much. She also asks how his perspective or view of the world has changed, comparing the current view to those he has seen before. She believes that she has become better, braver, and more confident through their love, but she is curious about the transformation within Nick. Ultimately, she wonders if he has become someone better due to her love.
Line by Line Meaning
Nick is not in the audience for fanny's opening night, and she's worried,
Nick's absence from Fanny's big moment on stage fills her with concern and anxiety.
But when he makes a late appearance at the party, she's angry at him until
Fanny's anger towards Nick dissipates only after he finally arrives at the gathering, albeit late.
He tells her that a hurricane has destroyed their casino and he's lost all
Nick informs Fanny about the devastating impact of a hurricane which resulted in the complete loss of their casino.
Her money. Fanny doesn't think it's that big a deal, and this makes nick
However, Fanny downplays the severity of the situation, which infuriates Nick.
Angry. fanny doesn't understand why:
Confused, Fanny fails to comprehend the reason behind Nick's anger.
Who are you now,
Fanny questions the change in Nick's identity and character due to the recent events.
Now that you're mine?
She wonders how Nick's relationship with her has altered his being.
Are you something more
Fanny ponders whether Nick has evolved into something greater
Than you were before?
than his previous self.
Are you warmer in the rain,
She wonders if Nick has become more resilient in tough times.
Are you stronger for my touch,
Fanny contemplates if her love has made Nick emotionally stronger.
Am I giving too little
She questions if her affection towards Nick is inadequate
By my lovin' you too much?
and whether her excessive love for him may be overshadowing other aspects of their relationship.
How is the view,
Fanny inquires about Nick's perception of their current circumstances,
Sunny and green?
whether he finds them optimistic and promising.
How do you compare it to
She wants to know how he evaluates their present situation
The views you've seen?
in comparison to the experiences he has had in the past.
I know I am better, braver and surer too,
Fanny confidently asserts that she herself has grown, become more courageous and self-assured.
But you are, you now
However, she's uncertain and curious about the changes she sees in Nick.
Who are you now?
Fanny reiterates her previous question, seeking to understand Nick's transformed self.
Are you someone better for my love?
Ultimately, Fanny wonders if her love has made Nick a better person.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB MERRILL, JULE STYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Max Young
[Nick is not in the audience for Fanny's opening night,
and she's worried, but when he makes a late appearance
at the party, she's angry at him until he tells her that a
hurricane has destroyed their casino and he's lost all
her money. Fanny doesn't think it's that big a deal, and
this makes Nick angry. Fanny doesn't understand why:]
Who are you now,
Now that you're mine?
Are you something more
Than you were before?
Are you warmer in the rain,
Are you stronger for my touch,
Am I giving too little
By my lovin' you too much?
How is the view,
Sunny and green?
How do you compare it to
The views you've seen?
I know I am better, braver and surer too,
But you-
are you now-Who are you now?
Are you someone better for my love?
Steve Gottfried
Her voice is a Stradivarius, the rich tones and emotional resonance are achingly palpable.
Thomas DiMaggio
A friend of mine summed up this exquisite song perfectly: "This is how you feel when you're in a room with the person you love most in the world. You really LOOK at them; and, even though they're only a few feet away, it might as well be ten thousand miles."
Barbara Blum
This song was my favorite when I was a teen. I would sit in my parents’ living room for hours listening to the whole Funny Girl album from the broadway show. Thanks mom for making Barbra my idol🌺🌺
Chris N
A lovely underrated song from this score. Thanks for posting.
Noe Berengena
I was knocked for a loop when I heard this on a headset at the public library. I could not believe what I was hearing. How was it possible to leave this out of the movie?
Only 22 years old -- I think this young girl has a big career ahead of her.
P J W
The film's producers wanted an Academy Award eligible song (written specifically for the movie). Nominated but didn't win. 🤔
P J W
She much later recorded the winning song that year, 'The Windmills Of Your Mind' (written by her close friends Michel Legrand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman) for her 'What Matters Most' album.
Lou Johnson
Plaintive and profound, this for me is the finest performance of hers, bar none.
Aunica Coen
I love this song😍
Donald Boudreau
Sublime. Noone sings it better. #Streisand #WhoAreYouNow?