The Way We Were

Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion

About The Way We Were

"The Way We Were" is a song recorded by American vocalist Barbra Streisand for her fifteenth studio album, The Way We Were (1974). It was physically released as the record's lead single on September 27, 1973 through Columbia Records. The 7" single was distributed in two different formats, with the standard edition featuring B-side track "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" and the Mexico release including an instrumental B-side instead. The recording was written by Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch, while production was solely handled by Marty Paich. "The Way We Were" was specifically produced for the record, in addition to three other tracks, including her then-upcoming single "All in Love Is Fair" (1974). Its lyrics detail the melancholic relationship between the two main characters in the 1973 film of the same name. Its appeal was noted by several music critics, who felt its impact helped revive Streisand's career. It also won two Academy Awards, which were credited to the songwriters of the track. The single was also a commercial success, topping the charts in both Canada and the United States, while peaking in the top 40 in Australia and the United Kingdom. Additionally, "The Way We Were" was 1974's most successful recording in the United States, where it was placed at number one on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles list. It has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales of over one million units. Streisand has also included "The Way We Were" on various compilation albums, with it most recently appearing on 2010's Barbra: The Ultimate Collection. 


Year:
2002
714 
#4

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Memories light the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories of the way we were
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were

Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, would we?
Could we?

Memories may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were
The way we were

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Barbra Streisand

Barbra Joan Streisand (born Barbara Joan Streisand /ˈstraɪsænd/; April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress, writer, film producer, and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, five Emmy Awards including one Daytime Emmy, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Kennedy Center Honors award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who has won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award. more »

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Written by: Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Marvin Hamlisch

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


4 facts about this song

Andy Williams Version
1. "The Way We Were" was included in Andy Williams' album "You Lay So Easy on My Mind" which was released in 1974. 2. This version by Williams has a slower tempo, giving the song a less danceable, more sentimental feel compared to other versions. 3. Andy Williams' rendition did not make it to the Billboard Hot 100 chart, unlike the Streisand version.
Barbra Streisand Version
1. "The Way We Were" is probably most known for the Barbra Streisand version, which was the title song for the 1973 movie of the same name. 2. The song won two Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Streisand. 3. It also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1974. 4. The Streisand version reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for three weeks. 5. In 1998, "The Way We Were" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Gladys Knight Version
1. Gladys Knight & the Pips released their version of "The Way We Were" in 1974 as well. 2. The song formed part of a medley with "Try to Remember" and climbed to number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 3. The Gladys Knight version is well-known for its smooth and soulful interpretation. 4. It also reached number 2 on the US R&B chart.
General Information
1. "The Way We Were" is a song composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. 2. The song, in general, comments on the nostalgic theme of looking back on past good times and romanticizing them despite their flaws. 3. Besides Williams, Streisand and Knight, various artists such as Perry Como, Ray Conniff, and Johnny Mathis have also covered the song.

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    The Way We Were

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1974

    Billboard #1


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