100 ESSENTIAL BARBRA STREISAND SONGS. 

This post concludes the countdown with the Top 10.

Caffè Lattè pays tribute to:

BARBRA STREISAND

-HER IOO MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS-

Barbra Streisand is one of the most celebrated performers, earning Emmy, Grammy, Academy and Tony Awards in a career spanning six decades. This is a countdown of her 100 finest recordings from 1963 to the present day.

 

10

PEOPLE

Streisand’s first Top 40 chart entry was the single “People”. The song was sung by her in the musical “Funny Girl” and in its screen adaptation. It soon became her signature song. Jule Styne composed the music and Bob Merrill contributed lyrics. “People” peaked at #5 Pop and topped the Adult Contemporary Chart in America. This was also her debut chart hit in Australia (#20) and Canada (#30).

9

STONEY END

Laura Nyro’s composition “Stoney End” became the title track of Streisand’s 1971 album release. With producer Richard Perry, this LP led the singer into a new musical direction, away from show tunes and standards. Streisand proved she could be just as effective with contemporary music. The single reached #6 in America and #27 in the UK.

 

8

THE MAIN EVENT / FIGHT

Streisand mastered disco with this – the title song from her 1979 film ‘The Main Event’. The comedy saw her sharing the screen again with Ryan O’Neal. Streisand portrayed Hillary Kramer, a perfume magnate who is financially ruined and pins her hopes on one of her few assets: a contract with a boxer. The title song peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #5 in Canada.

 

7

DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE

This show-stopper from “Funny Girl” is an unforgettable moment in the film version. The movie tells the story of vaudeville icon Fanny Brice. She was born in New York City in 1891 and died in Beverly Hills on May 29, 1951.

 

6

WOMAN IN LOVE

The ‘Guilty’ project proved Streisand was still a musical force in her third decade of recording. It became her best-selling album to date. “Woman In Love”, the lead single, was written by The Bee Gees’ Barry and Robin Gibb. The disc topped the charts in America, Britain, Europe, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

 

5

YOU DON’T BRING ME FLOWERS

Streisand recorded her version of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” for the ‘Songbird’ album in February 1978. The ballad was written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman with Neil Diamond. The latter was also on the Columbia label. He had recorded the original version of the song for his 1977 LP ‘I’m Glad You’re Here With Me Tonight’. Program director at WAKY Radio, Gary Guthrie decided to create a duet from the 2 solo recordings. After it was played on radio, the response was so strong that the 2 Columbia artists teamed up to record it again, this time as a duet. Bob Gaudio produced the track, recorded in Los Angeles on October 17, 1978. The result was a #1 hit in North America and a Top 5 smash in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

 

4

MY MAN

In the 2 minutes of screen time that Streisand takes to perform the timeless “My Man”, she proves herself a worthy recipient of the Best Actress Oscar. Packed with emotion, she takes one of Fanny Brice’s signature songs and blossoms in her delivery. This win remains the only tie in Academy Awards history in that category. Streisand shared her victory with the legendary Katherine Hepburn (for ‘The Lion In Winter’).

 

3

NO MORE TEARS (ENOUGH IS ENOUGH)

“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” and Streisand’s collaboration with Donna Summer are often cited as among the best duets of all-time. The song was crafted while disco dominated the charts around the globe. Donna Summer had long been the genre’s most respected exponent. Conversely, Streisand had only dabbled with disco but had just scored a major hit with the dance song “The Main Event / Fight”. Paul Jabara and Bruce Roberts had written a demo entitled “Enough Is Enough”. The former was hoping Streisand would record it for her forthcoming ‘Wet’ album. In order to be included, it needed a link to the LP’s water concept. So, Jabara came up with the “it’s raining, it’s pouring” intro. He was ready to pitch the song to her. Jabara then decided to ask Summer to accompany him to Streisand’s residence. He called to set this up and Jason Gould took the message. Streisand’s son was immediately excited as he was a fan of the Queen of Disco. At lunch, Jabara suggested the 2 vocalists record the song as a duet. The single topped the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at #2 in Canada, #3 in the UK and was a Top 10 smash in various European countries, Australia and New Zealand.

2

THE WAY WE WERE

Streisand co-starred with Robert Redford in one of her greatest film roles. ‘The Way We Were’ featured a timeless title song, written by Marvin Hamlisch and the Bergmans. It was recorded at RCA Studios in Los Angeles on September 12, 1973. Marty Paich arranged and produced the single (which differs from the soundtrack version). The ballad reached #1 in America and Canada. It collected major awards: the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song and a Song of the Year Grammy. “The Way We Were” remains another of Streisand’s signature songs.

 

1

LOVE THEME FROM ‘A STAR IS BORN’ (EVERGREEN)

Streisand learned how to play the guitar for her role in ‘A Star Is Born’. While strumming on the instrument, she came up with a melody. She later played it for Paul Williams. He recognized its potential and wrote the lyrics to “Evergreen” to fit Streisand’s melody. She co-produced the recording with Phil Ramone. The soundtrack enjoyed 6 weeks at #1 in the U.S.A. As well as spending 3 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, “Evergreen” remained at #1 on the US Adult Contemporary Chart for 6 weeks. The single also topped the Canadian Pop and AC charts. It peaked in the Top 5 in Britain, Australia and New Zealand. In 1978, the song collected 2 Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal (Female) and Song Of The Year. Streisand became the first female to win an Oscar for acting and writing an Academy Award winner. “Evergreen” won Best Original Song, repeating the feat at the Golden Globes.