Wonderful piece, Pe. I grew up in a Streisand-soundtracked home and definitely remember The Main Event. Of course Yentl and A Star is Born and her other records probably were played a lot more often, but as I was 12 in ‘79, this one came out at a time when I was developing my tastes in a more conscious way. I need to check my collection to see if I have this soundtrack — as you will learn in my response to Andy’s 11 questions Sunshine prompt, I inherited about 20 Babs records. I did click on the live version that you linked to and loved seeing her perform it in concert. I kept thinking while watching it that she must be hot wearing that heavy dress and giant coat under all those lights!
Loved learning the history behind the making of this song, and the evidence as to why it dropped off the charts and public consciousness so quickly. Your reasoning makes sense to me. I think Streisand fans are also a lot more openminded, and would love anything she did, whereas a rock band would have gotten more backlash for moving in a disco direction at the time.
"I kept thinking while watching it that she must be hot wearing that heavy dress and giant coat under all those lights!" They just don’t make artists like Babs anymore, Steve! 😁
And I agree with you about how open Streisand fans tend to be. That said, I’m not sure how far that openness would have gone if disco hadn’t faced the backlash and she’d decided to make a full album with Esty, for example. As I wrote, I don’t think it was very likely, but Esty certainly seemed to believe it was possible.
What sets Barbra apart, more than anyone else I’ve covered so far, is that she always kept her own quality intact on her disco and dance tracks. A real sign of greatness, if you ask me.
Thanks for reading and responding, Steve. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
So glad you wrote about this song. I've always loved it. At the time it felt so cool that Babs had a hit with a disco song (but then a LOT of artists did!) I also loved the movie when I saw it although parts of it, including the climax, are pretty silly. It doesn't hold up very well but it's still kind of fun (and Ryan O'Neal looks GREAT in it!) I think, as you point out, this is one of the reasons the song isn't as well remembered as some of her other songs from that period. Loved hearing the perspectives of Jabara and Esty too!
Glad you also included some mention of "Promises" and "Night of My Life." Those are both two favorites of mine and should have been bigger hits outside of the dancefloor.
Wonderful piece, Pe. I grew up in a Streisand-soundtracked home and definitely remember The Main Event. Of course Yentl and A Star is Born and her other records probably were played a lot more often, but as I was 12 in ‘79, this one came out at a time when I was developing my tastes in a more conscious way. I need to check my collection to see if I have this soundtrack — as you will learn in my response to Andy’s 11 questions Sunshine prompt, I inherited about 20 Babs records. I did click on the live version that you linked to and loved seeing her perform it in concert. I kept thinking while watching it that she must be hot wearing that heavy dress and giant coat under all those lights!
Loved learning the history behind the making of this song, and the evidence as to why it dropped off the charts and public consciousness so quickly. Your reasoning makes sense to me. I think Streisand fans are also a lot more openminded, and would love anything she did, whereas a rock band would have gotten more backlash for moving in a disco direction at the time.
"I kept thinking while watching it that she must be hot wearing that heavy dress and giant coat under all those lights!" They just don’t make artists like Babs anymore, Steve! 😁
And I agree with you about how open Streisand fans tend to be. That said, I’m not sure how far that openness would have gone if disco hadn’t faced the backlash and she’d decided to make a full album with Esty, for example. As I wrote, I don’t think it was very likely, but Esty certainly seemed to believe it was possible.
What sets Barbra apart, more than anyone else I’ve covered so far, is that she always kept her own quality intact on her disco and dance tracks. A real sign of greatness, if you ask me.
Thanks for reading and responding, Steve. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Amazing Pe. I remember the movie and the song. Really most of this. The backstory on the song was really incredible.
Thanks Tamara! Really means a lot! Have a great weekend!
So glad you wrote about this song. I've always loved it. At the time it felt so cool that Babs had a hit with a disco song (but then a LOT of artists did!) I also loved the movie when I saw it although parts of it, including the climax, are pretty silly. It doesn't hold up very well but it's still kind of fun (and Ryan O'Neal looks GREAT in it!) I think, as you point out, this is one of the reasons the song isn't as well remembered as some of her other songs from that period. Loved hearing the perspectives of Jabara and Esty too!
Glad you also included some mention of "Promises" and "Night of My Life." Those are both two favorites of mine and should have been bigger hits outside of the dancefloor.