Barbra Streisand: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Barbra Streisand built a voice out of Brooklyn nightclub ambition and a crate of 1920s-30s torch records, then carried it into Broadway, Hollywood stardom and, uniquely, the director's chair. This mix traces the ghosts her first boyfriend played her, the songwriters who adopted her, and the divas who have been chasing her phrasing ever since.

The Kynda mix for Barbra Streisand

• Key Influence · Judy at Carnegie Hall by Judy Garland (1961). Garland was the template for the emotionally total American pop performance, and Streisand's 1963 appearance on The Judy Garland Show — the duets on 'Happy Days Are Here Again' and 'Get Happy' — functioned as a public passing of the torch, with Garland openly marveling at the newcomer. This live album captures the model Streisand absorbed: belt, vulnerability and showmanship fused in one body before an adoring room.
• Influencia Obscura · Bill by Helen Morgan (1928). When the teenage Streisand lived with actor Barry Dennen in Greenwich Village around 1960, he played her his record collection of torch singers and taped her early singing. Morgan — the original Julie in Show Boat, who sang perched on a piano — supplied the intimate, near-weeping torch delivery Streisand adapted for club sets at the Bon Soir. 'Bill,' Kern and Hammerstein with a Wodehouse lyric, is the purest surviving sample.
• Local Roots · Harold Sings Arlen (With Friend) by Harold Arlen (1966). Streisand's Bon Soir breakthrough was built on Arlen's 'A Sleepin' Bee' from House of Flowers, and the Buffalo-born, New York-based composer became an early champion, writing admiring notes for her and remaining a lifelong touchstone — she later devoted a full album to his catalogue. Hearing Arlen sing his own songs reveals the conversational phrasing and blue-note shading she inherited from the source.
• Beyond the Medium · Yentl the Yeshiva Boy by Isaac Bashevis Singer (1962). Streisand read Singer's short story in the Sixties and spent roughly fifteen years fighting the studios to film it, ultimately producing, co-writing, directing and starring — the first woman to do all four on a major feature. Singer famously disliked the musical result and said so in print. The Yiddish-literary source, with its scholarship, gender disguise and ambiguity, is the spine beneath the Michel Legrand songs.
• Peer · Liza with a Z by Liza Minnelli (1972). Minnelli, Judy Garland's daughter, ran the parallel track: Broadway, Oscar-winning film role, television concert spectacular, all inside the same decade as Streisand. This Fosse-directed, Kander-and-Ebb-scored special won the Emmy and shows the rival template — dancer's attack and Bob Fosse staging against Streisand's vocal purity — for how a theatre-bred performer could own 1970s American entertainment across every screen.
• From the Canon · The Barbra Streisand Album by Barbra Streisand (1963). The Columbia debut, recorded when she was twenty and still in Broadway's I Can Get It for You Wholesale, won Album of the Year and laid out the whole method: Peter Matz arrangements, Arlen's 'A Sleepin' Bee,' a funereal reinvention of 'Happy Days Are Here Again.' It documents the nightclub set that made her — torch obscurities and reharmonized standards sung as dramatic monologues rather than hits.
• Key Collaborator · A Chorus Line by Marvin Hamlisch (1975). Hamlisch wrote 'The Way We Were' with Alan and Marilyn Bergman for Streisand, winning Oscars for both song and score in 1974, and the partnership continued through her concert arrangements and television work. His Pulitzer-winning Broadway score, with Edward Kleban's lyrics, shows the craft on its own terms: show-music architecture bent toward confession, the exact register their collaborations occupied.
• Legacy · Falling into You by Celine Dion (1996). Dion has cited Streisand as her formative idol since childhood in Quebec, and the two recorded the duet 'Tell Him' in 1997 — Dion reportedly overcome at finally meeting her. The Grammy-winning Falling into You is the inheritance in full: big-lunged ballad interpretation, films songs as vehicles, pop production wrapped around a theatrically trained instrument. The lineage runs straight from Guilty to here.

What influenced Barbra Streisand

• Harold Arlen. Streisand describes what Arlen’s melodies gave her as a performer. (also via Harold Sings Arlen (With Friend), A Sleepin' Bee) “"The lyrics to that song gave me the three acts of a play that I longed for as an actress," Streisand said. "And Harold was one of those writers who could write these magnificent melodies. That gave me what I needed."” (Wikipedia)
• Billie Holiday (1915). Holiday was among the singers whose recordings Dennen introduced to Streisand. (also via Lady in Satin) “Dennen now wanted to expose Streisand to his vast record collection of female singers, including Billie Holiday , Mabel Mercer , Ethel Waters , and Édith Piaf .” (Wikipedia)
• Édith Piaf. Piaf was among the singers whose recordings Dennen introduced to Streisand. (also via Non, je ne regrette rien) “Dennen now wanted to expose Streisand to his vast record collection of female singers, including Billie Holiday , Mabel Mercer , Ethel Waters , and Édith Piaf .” (Wikipedia)
• Judy at Carnegie Hall by Judy Garland (1961). Judy at Carnegie Hall (Judy Garland) — titan for Barbra Streisand “During the next six months appearing at the club, some began comparing her singing voice to famous names such as Judy Garland, Lena Horne and Fanny Brice.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Lady in Satin by Billie Holiday. Lady in Satin (Billie Holiday) — titan for Barbra Streisand “She recalls it was the first time she had been in that kind of upscale environment: "I'd never been in a nightclub until I sang in one." Dennen now wanted to expose Streisand to his vast record collection of female singers, including Bil…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Non, je ne regrette rien by Édith Piaf (1960). Non, je ne regrette rien (Édith Piaf) — titan for Barbra Streisand “She recalls it was the first time she had been in that kind of upscale environment: "I'd never been in a nightclub until I sang in one." Dennen now wanted to expose Streisand to his vast record collection of female singers, including Bil…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Yentl the Yeshiva Boy by Isaac Bashevis Singer (1962). Yentl the Yeshiva Boy (Isaac Bashevis Singer) — culture for Barbra Streisand “Singer's story, "Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy" was adapted into a stage version by Leah Napolin (with Singer), which was the basis for the film Yentl (1983) starring and directed by Barbra Streisand.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy (1986). The Prince of Tides (Pat Conroy) — culture for Barbra Streisand “Upon completion of the film, its screenwriter, Pat Conroy, who also authored the novel, called Streisand "a goddess who walks upon the earth." Streisand also co-scripted Yentl (with Jack Rosenthal), something for which she is not always …” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Diary of Anne Frank. Seeing the play strengthened Streisand’s ambition to act. “That desire was made stronger when she saw her first Broadway play, The Diary of Anne Frank , when she was 14.” (Wikipedia)
• Susan Strasberg. Streisand wanted to emulate Strasberg’s acting. “The star in the play was Susan Strasberg , whose acting she wanted to emulate.” (Wikipedia)
• Konstantin Stanislavski. Streisand studied Stanislavski’s acting theories. “In addition, she began reading novels and plays and studying the acting theories of Konstantin Stanislavski and Michael Chekhov .” (Wikipedia)
• Michael Chekhov. Streisand studied Chekhov’s acting theories. “In addition, she began reading novels and plays and studying the acting theories of Konstantin Stanislavski and Michael Chekhov .” (Wikipedia)
• Mabel Mercer. Mercer was among the singers whose recordings Dennen introduced to Streisand. “Dennen now wanted to expose Streisand to his vast record collection of female singers, including Billie Holiday , Mabel Mercer , Ethel Waters , and Édith Piaf .” (Wikipedia)
• Ethel Waters (1896). Waters was among the singers whose recordings Dennen introduced to Streisand. “Dennen now wanted to expose Streisand to his vast record collection of female singers, including Billie Holiday , Mabel Mercer , Ethel Waters , and Édith Piaf .” (Wikipedia)
• Ten Cents a Dance by Ruth Etting (1930). Ten Cents a Dance (Ruth Etting) — ghost for Barbra Streisand (musicbrainz.org)
• Funny Girl by Jerome Robbins (1964). Funny Girl (Jerome Robbins) — culture for Barbra Streisand “The musical helped turn lead Barbra Streisand into a superstar.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Bill by Helen Morgan (1928). Bill (Helen Morgan) — ghost for Barbra Streisand

Peers and kindred spirits

• Judy Garland. Streisand performed a duet with Garland. (also via The Barbra Streisand Album, Judy at Carnegie Hall) “She performed this in a duet with Judy Garland on The Judy Garland Show . Garland referred to her on the air as one of the last great belters .” (Wikipedia)
• Joan Rivers (1933). Rivers names Barbra Streisand as part of the same generational group of performers coming up together. “I was in a group with George Carlin and Woody Allen and Barbra Streisand and Simon and Garfunkel and Bill Cosby.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Louis Armstrong. Armstrong sang with Streisand in the film Hello, Dolly!. “Hello, Dolly! 1969 USA 2h 19min U Directed by: Gene Kelly Written by: Ernest Lehman Cast: Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Louis Armstrong” (Data Thistle)
• Stevie Wonder. Wonder played harmonica on Streisand's album. “she released Partners , a new album of duets that features a song with Elvis Presley as well as collaborations with Andrea Bocelli , Stevie Wonder , Lionel Richie, Billy Joel” (Wikipedia)
• Neil Diamond. Streisand recorded “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” with Diamond. (also via Hot August Night) “" You Don't Bring Me Flowers " (with Neil Diamond ) (US No. 1); and "The Main Event" (US No. 3)” (Wikipedia)
• Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim reworked songs specifically for Streisand’s album. (also via Send in the Clowns) “The album featured tunes by Rodgers and Hammerstein , George Gershwin , Jerome Kern , and Stephen Sondheim , who was persuaded to rework some of his songs especially for this recording.” (Wikipedia)
• John Mayer (1977). Mayer recorded a duet with Barbra Streisand. “Mayer recorded the song " Come Rain or Come Shine " as a duet with Barbra Streisand for her album Partners” (Wikipedia)
• Phyllis Diller (1917). Streisand opened for Diller at the Bon Soir. “In the early 1960s, Diller performed at the Bon Soir in Greenwich Village, where an up-and-coming Barbra Streisand was her opening act.” (Wikipedia)
• Gene Kelly. Kelly directed Streisand in Hello, Dolly! “Fox—buoyed by the returns from The Sound of Music (1965)—commissioned Kelly to direct Hello, Dolly! (1969), again directing Matthau along with Barbra Streisand .” (Wikipedia)
• Harold Sings Arlen (With Friend) by Harold Arlen (1966). Harold Sings Arlen (With Friend) (Harold Arlen) — geography for Barbra Streisand “From his collection she drew the song that best defined her mission in singing: A Sleepin' Bee, with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Truman Capote for the 1954 musical House of Flowers.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Hot August Night by Neil Diamond (1972). Hot August Night (Neil Diamond) — geography for Barbra Streisand “She also joined the Freshman Chorus and Choral Club, where she sang with another choir member and classmate, Neil Diamond.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Tapestry by Carole King. Tapestry (Carole King) — geography for Barbra Streisand “Barbra Streisand had a top 40 hit in 1972 with "Where You Lead" twice—by itself and as part of a live medley with "Sweet Inspiration".” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls by Dionne Warwick (1968). Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls (Dionne Warwick) — peer for Barbra Streisand “Gibb had just had tremendous success writing and co-producing a smash hit album for Barbra Streisand (1980's Guilty), which prompted Davis to suggest they do something similar for Warwick.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• A Chorus Line by Marvin Hamlisch (1975). A Chorus Line (Marvin Hamlisch) — collaborator for Barbra Streisand “The concert included musical tributes by Streisand to Donna Summer and Marvin Hamlisch, both of whom had died earlier in 2012.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Gypsy by Jule Styne (1959). Gypsy (Jule Styne) — collaborator for Barbra Streisand “He wrote career-altering Broadway scores for a wide variety of major stars, including Phil Silvers, Carol Channing, Mary Martin, Judy Holliday, Ethel Merman, and an up-and-coming Barbra Streisand.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Spirits Having Flown by Bee Gees (1979). Spirits Having Flown (Bee Gees) — collaborator for Barbra Streisand “In March 1980, Barry Gibb worked with Barbra Streisand on her album Guilty.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Ethel Merman. Merman joined Streisand and Garland for a song. “They also sang " There's No Business Like Show Business ", with Ethel Merman joining them.” (Wikipedia)
• Stoney End. Streisand had a hit with Nyro’s song. “The title track , written by Laura Nyro , was a major hit for Streisand.” (Wikipedia)
• Donna Summer (1968). Streisand recorded a duet with Summer. “" No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) " (1979, with Donna Summer ), which as of 2010 [ update ] is reportedly still the most commercially successful duet” (Wikipedia)
• Rupert Holmes. Streisand recorded material under Holmes’s direction. “She recorded several cuts for the album under the direction of Rupert Holmes , including " On My Own " (from Les Misérables )” (Wikipedia)
• Johnny Mathis. Streisand and Mathis recorded a duet. “One of the album's highlights was a medley of " I Have A Love" / "One Hand, One Heart ", a duet with Johnny Mathis , who Streisand said is one of her favorite singers.” (Wikipedia)
• Bryan Adams. Streisand released a duet with Adams. “In 1996, Streisand released " I Finally Found Someone " as a duet with Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams .” (Wikipedia)
• Céline Dion. Higher Ground featured a Streisand–Dion duet. “In 1997, she finally returned to the recording studio, releasing Higher Ground , a collection of songs of a loosely inspirational nature that also featured a duet with Céline Dion .” (Wikipedia)
• Vince Gill. Streisand recorded “If You Ever Leave Me” with Gill. “it did produce a modest hit for Streisand in the country-tinged "If You Ever Leave Me", a duet with Vince Gill .” (Wikipedia)
• Tony Bennett (1926). Streisand recorded “Smile” with Bennett. “In February 2006, Streisand recorded the song "Smile" alongside Tony Bennett at Streisand's Malibu home.” (Wikipedia)
• Jackie Evancho. Streisand sang with Evancho on Dream with Me. “That same year, Streisand sang " Somewhere " from the Broadway musical West Side Story with child prodigy Jackie Evancho on Evancho's album Dream with Me .” (Wikipedia)
• Il Divo. Il Divo appeared throughout Streisand’s concert show. “Special guests Il Divo were interwoven throughout the show. Streisand's 20-concert tour set box office records.” (Wikipedia)
• Elvis Presley. Partners features a song pairing Streisand with Presley. “she released Partners , a new album of duets that features a song with Elvis Presley as well as collaborations with Andrea Bocelli” (Wikipedia)
• Andrea Bocelli. Bocelli collaborated with Streisand on Partners. “she released Partners , a new album of duets that features a song with Elvis Presley as well as collaborations with Andrea Bocelli , Stevie Wonder , Lionel Richie, Billy Joel” (Wikipedia)
• Lionel Richie (1968). Richie collaborated with Streisand on Partners. “she released Partners , a new album of duets that features a song with Elvis Presley as well as collaborations with Andrea Bocelli , Stevie Wonder , Lionel Richie, Billy Joel” (Wikipedia)
• Billy Joel (1964). Joel collaborated with Streisand on Partners. “she released Partners , a new album of duets that features a song with Elvis Presley as well as collaborations with Andrea Bocelli , Stevie Wonder , Lionel Richie, Billy Joel” (Wikipedia)
• Jason Gould. Jason Gould is named among Streisand’s Partners collaborators. “Babyface , Michael Bublé , Josh Groban , John Mayer , John Legend , Blake Shelton , and Jason Gould. This album topped the Billboard 200” (Wikipedia)
• Paul Williams. Streisand and lyricist Williams shared the original-song award for “Evergreen.” “She earned her second Academy Award for Best Original Song (with lyricist Paul Williams ) for the song " Evergreen ", from A Star Is Born in 1976” (Wikipedia)
• Jack Rosenthal. Streisand co-wrote Yentl with Rosenthal. “Streisand also co-scripted Yentl (with Jack Rosenthal ), something for which she is not always given credit.” (Wikipedia)
• First Artists. Streisand helped form First Artists. “Along with Paul Newman , Sidney Poitier , and later Steve McQueen , Streisand formed First Artists Production Company in 1969 so that actors could secure properties and develop movie projects for themselves.” (Wikipedia)
• Barwood Films. Streisand set up Barwood Films. “Streisand produced a number of her own films, setting up Barwood Films in 1972.” (Wikipedia)
• Hollywood Women's Political Committee. Streisand helped establish the committee. “In 1984, Streisand joined Jane Fonda and ten other television and film industry notables to establish the activist group Hollywood Women's Political Committee (HWPC)” (Wikipedia)
• The Streisand Foundation. The text identifies Streisand’s foundation and its establishment. “The Streisand Foundation, [ 177 ] established in 1986, has contributed over $16 million through nearly 1,000 grants” (Wikipedia)
• A Sleepin' Bee by Harold Arlen and Truman Capote. Streisand chose Arlen and Capote’s song for her singing repertoire. “From his collection she drew the song that best defined her mission in singing: A Sleepin' Bee , with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Truman Capote for the 1954 musical House of Flowers .” (Wikipedia)
• Don Johnson. The text states that Streisand and Johnson recorded a duet. “they recorded a duet of " Till I Loved You ". Streisand briefly dated actors Richard Gere in 1983” (Wikipedia)

…and 4 more on the map above.

Who Barbra Streisand influenced

• 21 by Adele (2011). 21 (Adele) — legacy for Barbra Streisand “Vulture honored her enduring legacy saying her works influence "extends to Céline Dion, the 1980s output of Lionel Richie and Luther Vandross, and the more maudlin ballads of Mariah Carey, Adele, and Whitney Houston." In 2022, Forbes hai…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Whitney Houston by Whitney Houston (1963). States that Streisand inspired Houston. “Barbra Streisand was a singer Houston admired and was inspired by as well.” (Wikipedia)
• Falling into You by Celine Dion (1996). Falling into You (Celine Dion) — legacy for Barbra Streisand “The recording process took place in London, New York City, and Los Angeles, and featured a host of special guests, such as Barbra Streisand on "Tell Him"; the Bee Gees on "Immortality"; and tenor Luciano Pavarotti on "I Hate You Then I L…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Joanne by Lady Gaga (2016). Joanne (Lady Gaga) — legacy for Barbra Streisand (musicbrainz.org)