Life Story
Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb Lyrics


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Don't want to stay here
Not very nice
You boiled me over
Now you're cold as ice
From what you gave me
To what you made me
I should be homeward bound
Why am I hanging 'round knowing

You're life story began with somebody else
Find your glory out there with somebody else
I'll be where you find me
I'll be somebody else
Somebody else

Dog in the manger
Teller of lies
I see a stranger laughing in your eyes
Though I don't know how
I'm in the way now
No matter what you do
I go on loving you knowing

Your life story began with somebody else
Find your glory out there with somebody else
I'll be where you find me
I'll be somebody else
Somebody else
Somebody else

Deeper than your valleys
Longer than your memory
I got to your story's end

Your life story began with somebody else
Find your glory out there with somebody else
I'll be where you find me
I'll be somebody else
Somebody else
Somebody else
Somebody else
Somebody else
Somebody else
Somebody else
Somebody else




I'll be somebody else
I'll be somebody else

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Barbra Streisand's song 'Life Story' tell the story of a relationship gone wrong. The singer expresses her desire to leave the person she's with, whom she characterizes as a liar and a manipulator. She acknowledges that this person once gave her love, but now she's turned cold, and the singer feels like she's being stifled. Despite all of this, the singer still feels conflicted about leaving. The reason for staying may be because it's comfortable, but deep down, the singer knows she needs to move on and find herself.


The chorus, "Your life story began with somebody else, find your glory out there with somebody else, I'll be where you find me, I'll be somebody else" reflects the singer's realization that the person she's with is not the right fit for her. The phrase 'life story' can represent the history of a person's life, and in this case, the singer acknowledges that their partner's history began before they met. The phrase 'find your glory out there with somebody else' suggests that the person she's with is better off with someone else. The chorus ends with the singer accepting that they need to move on and be someone else.


Barbra Streisand's 'Life Story' is a powerful song because it speaks to anyone who has ever felt trapped in a relationship. The lyrics express the conflict between comfort and the need for growth. Moving on is never easy, but in some cases, it's necessary.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't want to stay here
I no longer want to stay in this relationship or situation


Not very nice
It is unpleasant and uncomfortable to stay


You boiled me over
You have hurt me deeply and caused me to reach my boiling point


Now you're cold as ice
You have become indifferent and uncaring towards me


From what you gave me
From the love that you once had for me


To what you made me
To the hurt and pain that you have caused me


I should be homeward bound
I should leave and go back to where I feel safe and comfortable


Why am I hanging round knowing
Why am I still here, putting up with this treatment, when I know it's not worth it?


Your life story began with somebody else
Your life started before you met me and I can't change who you are


Find your glory out there with somebody else
You will find happiness and success with someone who is better suited for you


I'll be where you find me
I'll still be here for you, but in a different capacity


I'll be somebody else
I'll move on and become a different person without you in my life


Dog in the manger
You are selfish and keeping something that you don't even want for yourself


Teller of lies
You are dishonest and not telling me the truth


I see a stranger laughing in your eyes
I see that you have changed and I no longer recognize or trust you


Though I don't know how
Even though I don't know how to navigate this, I still have to move on


I'm in the way now
I am now getting in the way of your growth and success


No matter what you do
Even if you change, I will still love the version of you that I first met


I go on loving you knowing
I will always have love for you, but I have to put myself first


Deeper than your valleys
My love for you is deeper than any obstacles or hardships you face


Longer than your memory
My love for you will last longer than any memory of our time together


I got to your story's end
I have reached the end of our story and it's time to start a new one




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Barry Gibb, Robin Hugh Gibb

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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