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 knows
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A very stimulating place to be
It′s full of galleries and exhibitions
Most are absolutely free
And concerts like at Lewisohn Stadium
Classic Carnegie Hall
We sit way up top
That′s where it sounds best of all
Art lectures at the Metropolitan
I attended Ancient Greece the other day
The modern dance and ballet at the YMWHA
A legitimate place on Broadway
Don't you think all this is great?
Now downstairs, of course, we get last minute balcony
Down at Grey's, cut great
What better way can a single girl
With leisure spare time find?
Than to go around, broaden out her background
Also improve her mind
Plus, it gives more chances for meeting up with people
When you say, such as certain members of the opposite sex
She hopes to get involved with someday
And who can tell?
Who knows when they might come one′s way?
Who knows when I′ll see him?
Who knows?
Or why it will be him?
Who knows?
Perfect, he doesn't have to be
Good looking or rich and smart
Long as he′s crazy after me
And we see heart to heart
Who knows when he'll be there?
Who knows?
One day he′ll see me there
And hold out his arms
First he'll kiss me, say he loves me
And then propose
But why, where, when?
Who knows?
One day he′ll see me there
And hold out his arms
First he'll kiss me, say he loves me
And then propose
But why, where, when?
Who knows?
In Barbra Streisand's song "Who Knows", she celebrates the cultural offerings of New York City and the opportunities it provides to broaden one's horizons and meet new people, particularly potential romantic partners. She lists the many free art exhibitions, concerts at famous venues like Carnegie Hall, and lectures at prestigious institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Streisand expresses her hope for connecting with someone through these experiences, emphasizing the unpredictability of life and the possibility of chance encounters. She describes her ideal partner as someone who is simply "crazy after" her and with whom she can share a deep personal connection.
The lyrics of "Who Knows" reflect the mid-20th century notion of the single woman as a cultural consumer, using her free time to enrich herself and potentially find love. The song speaks to the particular cultural moment of New York City in the 1960s, a time when the city was experiencing an artistic and intellectual renaissance. It also reveals Streisand's own identity as a Jewish woman from Brooklyn who had achieved great success in the world of entertainment.
Line by Line Meaning
New York is a wonderful town
New York is an amazing place to live in
A very stimulating place to be
It is a very exciting place
It's full of galleries and exhibitions
The city has a variety of art galleries and exhibitions
Most are absolutely free
Many of them are free to attend
And concerts like at Lewisohn Stadium
Music concerts are also held, like at Lewisohn Stadium
Classic Carnegie Hall
There are classic music concerts at Carnegie Hall
We sit way up top
Our seats are located high up in the venue
But it's wonderful acoustics
The sound quality is outstanding
That's where it sounds best of all
The sound quality is the best when heard from there
Art lectures at the Metropolitan
There are lectures on art held at the Metropolitan
I attended Ancient Greece the other day
I recently attended a lecture on ancient Greece
The modern dance and ballet at the YMWHA
The YMWHA has modern dance and ballet performances
A legitimate place on Broadway
A reputable theater on Broadway
Don't you think all this is great?
Don't you think it's all amazing?
Now downstairs, of course, we get last minute balcony
We can get last-minute balcony seats if we go downstairs
Down at Grey's, cut great
Down at Grey's, we can get great seat discounts
What better way can a single girl
What's a better way for a single girl
With leisure spare time find?
To spend her leisure time?
Than to go around, broaden out her background
Than to explore and expand her knowledge
Also improve her mind
And enhance her intellect
Plus, it gives more chances for meeting up with people
Besides, it provides more opportunities to meet new people
When you say, such as certain members of the opposite sex
Such as potential romantic interests
She hopes to get involved with someday
Someone she hopes to be in a relationship with someday
And who can tell?
Who knows?
Who knows when they might come one's way?
Who knows when someone new might cross her path?
Who knows when I'll see him?
Who knows when she'll meet him?
Who knows?
Who knows?
Or why it will be him?
Or why it will be specifically him?
Perfect, he doesn't have to be
He doesn't have to be perfect
Good looking or rich and smart
Attractive, wealthy or intelligent
Long as he's crazy after me
As long as he likes her very much
And we see heart to heart
As long as they are able to understand each other's feelings
Who knows when he'll be there?
Nobody knows when he'll arrive
Who knows?
Who knows?
One day he'll see me there
One day, he will see her in New York
And hold out his arms
And he will hold her in his arms
First he'll kiss me, say he loves me
He'll kiss her and confess his love
And then propose
And then he'll ask her to marry him
But why, where, when?
But why ask questions about the specifics?
Who knows?
Who knows?
One day he'll see me there
One day, he will see her in New York
And hold out his arms
And he will hold her in his arms
First he'll kiss me, say he loves me
He'll kiss her and confess his love
And then propose
And then he'll ask her to marry him
But why, where, when?
But why ask questions about the specifics?
Who knows?
Who knows?
Writer(s): Harold Rome
Contributed by Mateo N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The MLP Connoisseur
I am a professional trumpeter. This is without a doubt the most beautiful song ever written. The words and music can bring anyone to tears. Thank You Barbra!!!! No one should ever sing this song after hearing you do it. It would be professional suicide,
lori Alessi Roberts
Johnny Mathis sang it the best imho
Will de Aquino
Marilyn and Alan Bergman in partnership with Michel Legrand have created a bunch of masterpieces.
Katherine Chavers
I have listened to Barbra’s songs just about everyday. There is such a calming effect when she sings this beautiful song.
💕☺️🐱
Brendan John
A magical pairing ! EXCUISITE ! RIP Michel. Your music will live on forever!
DocDLH
Just the right blend of emotion and reminiscence sprinkled with nostalgia and wistfulness. It's the perfect song to usher in the Fall. It reflects the passage of the playfulness of Summer, and presages a time for somber reflection and withdrawal. Summer is meant to be shared. Fall can be shared but it's also a wonderful time to be solitary.
maureen1938
Such a beautiful song and sung so perfectly by the one and only Barbra Streisand. Thank you for posting this little gem.
Chris N
If there's such a thing as a vocal enchantress, she's is it.
Orlando Cordova
THOSE LYRICS! THAT MELODY!
A PERFECT TIMELESS SONG, MADE PERFECTLY PERFECTED BY HER VOICE! still brings tears to my eyes! Like it did then. Such a great story! and film! 😶!
IVETE BIRAL
A música mais linda que ouvi em minha vida. Minha e de meu amor francês, já morto.