Barbra Streisand, a legendary singer, actress, and filmmaker, has captivated audiences for decades with her powerful vocals, emotional depth, and unparalleled artistry. Throughout her illustrious career, Streisand has released numerous iconic songs that have become synonymous with her name and left an indelible mark on the music industry. Her ability to convey complex emotions, combined with her technical prowess and signature style, has earned her a devoted following and cemented her status as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 most popular Barbra Streisand songs that have stood the test of time.
1. The Way We Were
“The Way We Were,” the title song from the 1973 film of the same name, is a poignant and nostalgic ballad that showcases Barbra Streisand’s incredible vocal range and emotional depth. The song’s sweeping melody and lush orchestration, combined with Alan and Marilyn Bergman’s wistful lyrics, create an atmosphere of bittersweet reflection on lost love and the passage of time. Streisand’s voice, filled with longing and tenderness, perfectly captures the song’s themes of memory, regret, and the enduring power of love. Her soaring vocals during the song’s climax are a testament to her unparalleled ability to convey raw emotion and connect with listeners on a profound level. “The Way We Were” became a massive commercial and critical success, topping the charts and earning Streisand her first number-one single as a solo artist. The song’s enduring popularity and its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and heartache have made it a timeless classic, celebrated for its beauty and emotional resonance. With its unforgettable melody and Streisand’s iconic performance, “The Way We Were” remains a standout in her extensive discography and a testament to her incomparable talent as a vocalist and interpreter of song.
2. People
“People,” from the Broadway musical “Funny Girl,” is a timeless anthem that showcases Barbra Streisand’s incredible vocal prowess and her ability to infuse a song with warmth, vulnerability, and emotional depth. The song’s gentle melody and Jule Styne’s simple yet poignant lyrics create an atmosphere of intimacy and connection, as Streisand’s character, Fanny Brice, reflects on the importance of human relationships and the need for love and acceptance. Streisand’s voice, filled with tenderness and sincerity, perfectly captures the song’s themes of longing, hope, and the transformative power of human connection. Her nuanced phrasing and the raw, unguarded quality of her vocals make the song feel like a personal confession, drawing the listener into Fanny’s world and her innermost thoughts and feelings. “People” became one of Streisand’s signature songs, both on stage and in her subsequent recordings, and has been celebrated for its beautiful melody, heartfelt lyrics, and Streisand’s unparalleled interpretation. The song’s enduring popularity and its ability to resonate with listeners across generations are a testament to its timeless message and Streisand’s remarkable ability to connect with her audience on a deep, emotional level.
3. Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
“Evergreen,” the love theme from the 1976 film “A Star Is Born,” is a breathtakingly beautiful ballad that showcases Barbra Streisand’s songwriting talent and her ability to deliver a powerful, emotionally charged performance. Co-written by Streisand and Paul Williams, the song’s gentle melody and poetic lyrics create an atmosphere of tender romance and unwavering devotion, as Streisand’s character, Esther Hoffman, expresses her deep love and commitment to her partner. Streisand’s voice, filled with warmth, sincerity, and a touch of vulnerability, perfectly captures the song’s themes of eternal love and the transformative power of a true, soulful connection. Her soaring vocals during the song’s climax, backed by the lush orchestration, are a testament to her unparalleled ability to convey raw emotion and create a sense of intimacy and shared experience with her listeners. “Evergreen” became a massive commercial and critical success, topping the charts and earning Streisand an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song’s enduring popularity and its ability to evoke a sense of timeless romance and heartfelt devotion have made it a beloved classic, celebrated for its beauty, emotional depth, and Streisand’s iconic performance.
4. Woman in Love
“Woman in Love,” from Barbra Streisand’s 1980 album “Guilty,” is a powerful, emotionally charged ballad that showcases her incredible vocal range and her ability to convey the intensity and complexity of romantic love. Written by Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, the song’s sweeping melody and passionate lyrics create an atmosphere of all-consuming desire and the transformative power of falling deeply in love. Streisand’s voice, filled with yearning, vulnerability, and a touch of desperation, perfectly captures the song’s themes of surrendering to love and the fear of losing oneself in the process. Her soaring vocals during the song’s climax, backed by the pulsating disco-influenced arrangement, are a testament to her unparalleled ability to convey raw emotion and create a sense of urgency and drama. “Woman in Love” became a massive commercial success, topping the charts in multiple countries and cementing Streisand’s status as a pop icon. The song’s enduring popularity and its ability to evoke the intensity and passion of romantic love have made it a timeless classic, celebrated for its powerful melody, heartfelt lyrics, and Streisand’s unforgettable performance.
5. Memory
“Memory,” from the musical “Cats,” is a hauntingly beautiful and introspective song that showcases Barbra Streisand’s ability to deliver a powerful, emotionally charged performance. Though originally sung by the character Grizabella in the musical, Streisand’s rendition brings a new depth and poignancy to the song’s themes of regret, longing, and the search for redemption. The song’s gentle, almost ethereal melody and Trevor Nunn’s poetic lyrics create an atmosphere of quiet reflection and deep emotional introspection, as Streisand’s voice, filled with a sense of world-weariness and yearning, perfectly captures the sense of a life lived and the wisdom gained through experience. Her nuanced phrasing and the raw, unguarded quality of her vocals make the song feel like a personal confession, drawing the listener into a world of memory, regret, and the hope for a new beginning. Streisand’s interpretation of “Memory” has become one of the most celebrated renditions of the song, praised for its emotional depth, technical brilliance, and ability to connect with listeners on a profound level. The song’s enduring popularity and its ability to evoke a sense of shared human experience have made it a timeless classic, celebrated for its beauty, poignancy, and Streisand’s unforgettable performance.
6. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” a duet with Neil Diamond, is a poignant and emotionally charged ballad that showcases Barbra Streisand’s ability to deliver a powerful, nuanced performance and her incredible chemistry with her duet partner. The song’s gentle melody and Alan and Marilyn Bergman’s heartfelt lyrics create an atmosphere of quiet despair and the painful realization of a love that has lost its spark. Streisand and Diamond’s voices, filled with a sense of sadness, regret, and a touch of bitterness, perfectly capture the song’s themes of emotional distance, unmet expectations, and the struggle to reignite the passion in a failing relationship. Their harmonies and the way their voices intertwine and play off each other throughout the song are a testament to their unparalleled ability to convey raw emotion and create a sense of intimacy and shared experience with their listeners. “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” became a massive commercial success, topping the charts and becoming a radio staple. The song’s enduring popularity and its ability to evoke the complexity and pain of romantic relationships have made it a timeless classic, celebrated for its beautiful melody, poignant lyrics, and the unforgettable performances by Streisand and Diamond.
7. Somewhere
“Somewhere,” from the musical “West Side Story,” is a powerful and emotionally charged ballad that showcases Barbra Streisand’s incredible vocal range and her ability to convey a sense of yearning, hope, and the search for a better world. The song’s sweeping melody and Stephen Sondheim’s poetic lyrics create an atmosphere of longing and the dream of a place where love can transcend all barriers and differences. Streisand’s voice, filled with a sense of raw, aching desire and an unshakeable belief in the possibility of a brighter future, perfectly captures the song’s themes of unity, acceptance, and the transformative power of love. Her soaring vocals during the song’s climax, backed by the lush orchestration, are a testament to her unparalleled ability to convey raw emotion and create a sense of hope and shared humanity with her listeners. Streisand’s rendition of “Somewhere” has become one of the most celebrated interpretations of the song, praised for its emotional depth, technical brilliance, and ability to connect with audiences on a profound level. The song’s enduring popularity and its ability to evoke a sense of shared longing and the desire for a better world have made it a timeless classic, celebrated for its beauty, poignancy, and Streisand’s unforgettable performance.
8. The Main Event/Fight
“The Main Event/Fight,” the theme song from the 1979 film “The Main Event,” is a lively, upbeat disco-influenced track that showcases Barbra Streisand’s versatility as a performer and her ability to deliver a high-energy, engaging vocal performance. The song’s pulsating rhythm, catchy melody, and Paul Jabara and Bruce Roberts’ playful lyrics create an atmosphere of excitement, anticipation, and the thrill of taking on a challenge. Streisand’s voice, filled with confidence, sass, and a touch of flirtatiousness, perfectly captures the song’s themes of determination, self-assurance, and the joy of embracing life’s adventures. Her dynamic vocals, backed by the funky arrangement and lively horns, are a testament to her ability to adapt to different musical styles and create a sense of fun and exuberance with her performances. “The Main Event/Fight” became a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the charts and showcasing Streisand’s appeal as a pop icon. The song’s enduring popularity and its ability to evoke a sense of joy, empowerment, and the excitement of taking on new challenges have made it a beloved classic, celebrated for its infectious energy, catchy lyrics, and Streisand’s unforgettable performance.
9. Send in the Clowns
“Send in the Clowns,” from the musical “A Little Night Music,” is a hauntingly beautiful and introspective song that showcases Barbra Streisand’s ability to deliver a nuanced, emotionally charged performance. The song’s gentle, almost melancholic melody and Stephen Sondheim’s poetic, bittersweet lyrics create an atmosphere of quiet reflection, regret, and the realization of missed opportunities in love and life. Streisand’s voice, filled with a sense of world-weariness, vulnerability, and a touch of irony, perfectly captures the song’s themes of the complexities of human relationships, the passage of time, and the pain of unrequited love. Her nuanced phrasing and the raw, unguarded quality of her vocals make the song feel like a personal confession, drawing the listener into a world of introspection and the search for meaning in life’s disappointments. Streisand’s interpretation of “Send in the Clowns” has become one of the most celebrated renditions of the song, praised for its emotional depth, technical brilliance, and ability to connect with listeners on a profound level. The song’s enduring popularity and its ability to evoke a sense of shared human experience have made it a timeless classic, celebrated for its beauty, poignancy, and Streisand’s unforgettable performance.
10. Don’t Rain on My Parade
“Don’t Rain on My Parade,” from the musical “Funny Girl,” is a powerful, show-stopping number that showcases Barbra Streisand’s incredible vocal prowess, her undeniable stage presence, and her ability to deliver a performance filled with energy, determination, and an unshakeable sense of self-confidence. The song’s lively, brassy melody and Bob Merrill’s bold, assertive lyrics create an atmosphere of unstoppable momentum and the joy of pursuing one’s dreams against all odds. Streisand’s voice, filled with strength, conviction, and a touch of defiance, perfectly captures the song’s themes of self-assurance, resilience, and the refusal to let anyone stand in the way of one’s ambitions. Her electrifying vocals, backed by the dynamic orchestration and lively percussion, are a testament to her unparalleled ability to command the stage and create a sense of excitement and shared triumph with her audience. “Don’t Rain on My Parade” has become one of Streisand’s signature songs, both on stage and in her subsequent recordings, and has been celebrated for its powerful message, infectious energy, and her iconic performance. The song’s enduring popularity and its ability to inspire listeners to chase their dreams and believe in themselves have made it a timeless classic, celebrated for its uplifting spirit and Streisand’s incomparable talent as a performer.
Edward Tomlin is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
