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Color Me Barbra
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| Color Me Barbra | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover for compact disc release. Cover drawing by Elinor Bunin | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 1966 | |||
| Studio | Columbia Records (New York, NY) | |||
| Genre | Pop, vocal | |||
| Length | 34:12 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer | Robert Mersey | |||
| Barbra Streisand chronology | ||||
| ||||
| DVD release | ||||
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| Singles from Color Me Barbra | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
Color Me Barbra is the seventh studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released on Columbia Records in 1966. The album was a yet another sales success for Streisand, reaching number 3 on the US charts and was certified Gold by the RIAA. It was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 1967 Grammy Awards, but failed to win either category.
The initial release coincided with Streisand's first color TV special, color still being a novelty at the time: CBS aired Color Me Barbra on March 30, 1966.[2] The special was rebroadcast by CBS on Sept. 14, 1995.[3]
Track listing
[edit]Side one
- "Yesterdays" (Otto Harbach, Jerome Kern) – 3:05
- "One Kiss" (Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg) – 2:11
- "The Minute Waltz" (Lan O'Kun, Frédéric Chopin) – 1:59
- "Gotta Move" (Peter Matz) – 2:01
- "Non C'est Rien" (Michel Jourdan, Armand Canfora) – 3:27
- "Where or When" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 3:06
Side Two
- Medley – 9:00
- "Animal Crackers in My Soup"
- "Funny Face"
- "That Face"
- "They Didn't Believe Me"
- "Were Thine That Special Face"
- "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face"
- "Let's Face the Music and Dance"
- "Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long"
- "What's New Pussycat?"
- "Small World"
- "I Love You"
- "I Stayed Too Long at the Fair"
- "Look at That Face"
- "C'est si Bon" (André Hornez, Jerry Seelen, Henri Betti) – 3:40
- "Where Am I Going?" (Dorothy Fields, Cy Coleman) – 2:50
- "Starting Here, Starting Now" (Richard Maltby, Jr., David Shire) – 2:53
DVD
[edit]- "Draw Me a Circle"
- "Yesterdays"
- "One Kiss"
- "The Minute Waltz"
- "Gotta Move"
- "Non c'est Rien"
- "Where or When"
- "Pets"
- "Animal Crackers in My Soup"
- "Funny Face"
- "That Face"
- "They Didn't Believe Me"
- "Were Thine That Special Face"
- "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face"
- "Let's Face the Music and Dance"
- "Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long"
- "What's New Pussycat?"
- "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?"
- "Small World"
- "Try to Remember"
- "Spring Again"
- "I Stayed Too Long at the Fair"
- "Look at That Face"
- "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home"
- "It Had to Be You"
- "C'est si bon"
- "Where Am I Going?"
- "Starting Here, Starting Now"
Singles
[edit]- "Where Am I Going?" / "You Wanna Bet" 1966
- "Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long" / "The Minute Waltz" 1966
- "Non C'est Rien" / "Le Mur" 1966
Accolades
[edit]Color Me Barbra received Grammy Award nominations for Album of the Year and for Best Female Vocal Performance.
Charts
[edit]| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[4] | 5 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[5] | 33 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[6] | 15 |
| US Billboard 200[7] | 3 |
| US Cashbox Top Albums[8] | 1 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[9] | Gold | 500,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[10] Music videocassette |
Gold | 50,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ AllMusic review
- ^ Edwards, Anne (1997). Streisand: A Biography. New York: Little, Brown & Company. p. 539. ISBN 0-316-21138-9.
- ^ "Streisand on T.V. 1990-1999". Barbra Archives. April 22, 1990. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ David Kent (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940 - 1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Barbra Streisand – Color Me Barbra" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Barbra Streisand – Color Me Barbra". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- ^ "Barbra Streisand Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Pop Albums" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 40. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ "American album certifications – Barbra Streisand – Color Me Barbra". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "American video certifications – Barbra Streisand – Color Me Barbra". Recording Industry Association of America.
External links
[edit]Color Me Barbra
View on GrokipediaBackground
Development
The album Color Me Barbra was conceived in late 1965 as a soundtrack companion to Barbra Streisand's second CBS television special of the same name, designed to capitalize on the emerging novelty of color broadcasting at a time when most programming remained in black and white.[8] Pre-production for the special began on January 1, 1966, in New York and Philadelphia, with the album's recordings scheduled to align closely with the broadcast on March 30, 1966, allowing Columbia Records to promote it as a synergistic release.[8] This tie-in approach mirrored the successful model of Streisand's debut special, My Name Is Barbra, but emphasized visual artistry to showcase the capabilities of color television.[3] The project drew significant inspiration from the triumph of My Name Is Barbra, which aired on April 28, 1965, and earned five Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Program and Outstanding Performance by an Actress, along with a Peabody Award.[9][10] These accolades propelled Streisand's rising fame, solidifying her transition from Broadway star to television and recording sensation, and prompting CBS and Columbia to greenlight a follow-up that built on her growing multimedia presence.[8] The success of the first special not only boosted sales of its accompanying album but also encouraged an expansion of Streisand's recording output, with Color Me Barbra positioned as the next milestone in her discography.[8] Columbia Records opted to produce the album under Robert Mersey, who had helmed Streisand's previous releases, including the platinum-certified My Name Is Barbra earlier in 1965.[2] This continuity ensured a polished sound that complemented her vocal style while advancing her commercial momentum, as the label coordinated recording sessions across late 1965 and early 1966 to meet the special's timeline.[2] Mersey's involvement reflected Columbia's strategy to leverage Streisand's post-Emmy popularity for another top-charting LP, ultimately peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.[11] Song selection for Color Me Barbra embraced an eclectic mix of show tunes, standards, originals, and international pieces to echo the television special's whimsical and artistic theme, which was filmed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and featured Streisand interacting with paintings and sculptures in vibrant color.[4] Tracks like the newly written "Starting Here, Starting Now"—chosen after Streisand heard a demo intended for another artist—and the adapted "The Minute Waltz" with custom lyrics for a Marie Antoinette segment underscored the album's playful, thematic alignment with the special's creative vision.[2][12] This curation avoided repetition from her prior albums, instead prioritizing variety to highlight Streisand's versatility amid her ascending stardom.[12]Television Special
"Color Me Barbra!" is a 60-minute television special starring Barbra Streisand, which aired on CBS on March 30, 1966, marking her first production filmed and broadcast in color.[3] The special served as a visual companion to Streisand's concurrent album release, showcasing her versatility through a blend of musical performances and whimsical sketches.[13] Directed by Dwight Hemion and produced by Joe Layton and Hemion, with Martin Erlichman as executive producer, the special was conceived and choreographed by Layton, featuring music arrangements and conducting by Peter Matz.[4] Filming took place over several days in January 1966, including sequences at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on January 22–23 for the art gallery segments, a recreated circus environment with live animals at CBS Studio 41 in New York on January 25, and a concert portion taped on January 27.[4][3] The special's innovative structure alternated between nostalgic and comedic elements, opening with Streisand wandering through the museum's galleries while lip-syncing to pre-recorded vocals for "Yesterdays," interacting playfully with artworks in a dreamlike sequence.[3] This transitioned into a circus medley featuring comedy sketches and songs like "Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long," followed by a live concert finale with performances such as "Where Am I Going?" The format highlighted Streisand's comic timing and vocal range, earning praise for its free and easy style upon broadcast.[4][14] The special was rebroadcast on CBS in 1994, edited for timing, and received five Primetime Emmy nominations in 1966, including for Outstanding Musical Program, Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety or Music (Hemion), and Individual Achievements in Art Direction (Tom John) and Electronic Production—Lighting (Robert Barry), though it won none.[4][3]Production
Recording Process
The recording of Color Me Barbra occurred primarily at Columbia's 30th Street Studio (also known as Studio A) in New York City, with sessions from late 1965 to early 1966, including November 16, 1965 (for "Non, C'est Rien," originally intended for another album), December 14, 1965, January 7, 13, and 20, 1966, and March 2, 1966; "C'est Si Bon" was recorded even earlier on January 13, 1965.[2] Sessions involved Streisand laying down live vocals atop orchestral arrangements, with multiple takes selected to preserve her expansive dynamic range and interpretive nuances.[4] A key focus was achieving high-fidelity audio suitable for synchronization with the color television special, employing a large orchestra to support the album's medleys and classic standards; pre-recorded tracks required synchronization with on-location filming for the special.[4][1] Producer Robert Mersey provided overall supervision for these efforts.[1]Creative Team
The creative team behind Color Me Barbra was led by producer Robert Mersey, who oversaw the album's arrangements and production for Columbia Records.[15] Mersey, a veteran arranger and conductor at the label, coordinated the recording sessions and contributed arrangements for specific tracks, such as "Where Am I Going?", ensuring a cohesive sound that complemented Streisand's vocal style.[15] Mersey conducted the orchestra for his arranged tracks using Columbia's in-house musicians; other tracks featured orchestras led by the respective arrangers, including Michel Legrand's ensemble.[16] Arrangements were handled by a team of collaborators under Mersey's direction, including Peter Matz, who arranged and conducted tracks like "Yesterdays," "One Kiss," "The Minute Waltz," "Gotta Move," "Where or When," and the medley "Animal Crackers in My Soup / Funny Face / That Face / They Didn't Believe Me."[15] Michel Legrand arranged and accompanied "Non, C'est Rien" and "C'est Si Bon" with his orchestra, adding a French flair to those selections.[15] Don Costa provided the arrangement for "Starting Here, Starting Now," rounding out the album's diverse musical palette drawn from Columbia's session talent.[2] The album's visual design was crafted by art directors Bob Cato and John Berg, who conceptualized the packaging to evoke a vibrant, artistic theme tied to the album's title.[15] Graphic artist Elinor Bunin contributed the distinctive cover drawing, a colorful illustration that captured an abstract, playful aesthetic and also informed the animated elements of the related television special.[15] Their collaborative work earned a nomination for Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts at the 9th Annual Grammy Awards.[17]Music and Lyrics
Musical Style
Color Me Barbra exemplifies the traditional pop genre, blending elements of vocal jazz, Broadway standards, and novelty songs to create an eclectic sound reflective of mid-1960s American popular music.[18] The album draws heavily from the Great American Songbook, incorporating compositions by influential songwriters such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Jerome Kern, whose works provide a foundation of sophisticated melodies and witty lyrics.[2] This fusion highlights Streisand's versatility, allowing her to navigate between heartfelt ballads and playful interpretations with orchestral arrangements that amplify the material's dramatic flair.[18] Thematically, the album evokes whimsy and nostalgia, capturing the vibrant energy of the era's transition to color television through its lighthearted yet emotionally resonant selections. Streisand's interpretive approach emphasizes humor and depth, infusing standards with personal artistry that balances sophistication and playfulness.[3] These elements tie into the accompanying television special's eclectic format, where musical numbers explore similar contrasts in tone and mood. The total runtime of 34:18 underscores the album's concise yet impactful presentation, supported by lush orchestral backing that complements Streisand's remarkable vocal range and dynamic delivery.[18]Track Listing
The track listing for Color Me Barbra consists of ten tracks, primarily standards from Broadway musicals and films, with one original composition and an instrumental adaptation, recorded between 1965 and 1966.[1][19]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Duration | Original source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Yesterdays" | Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach | 3:03 | From the musical Roberta (1933) |
| 2 | "One Kiss" | Sigmund Romberg, Oscar Hammerstein II | 2:15 | From the operetta The New Moon (1928) |
| 3 | "The Minute Waltz" | Frédéric Chopin (arr. Lan O'Kun) | 1:58 | Instrumental vocal adaptation of Chopin's Waltz in D-flat major, Op. 64, No. 1 ("Minute Waltz") |
| 4 | "Gotta Move" | Peter Matz | 2:00 | Original song written for Streisand |
| 5 | "Non C'est Rien" | Armand Canfora, Jimmy Basile, Michel Jourdan | 3:25 | French popular song (1950s standard)[16] |
| 6 | "Where or When" | Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart | 2:50 | From the musical Babes in Arms (1937) |
| 7 | Medley | Various | 4:35 | Medley of "Animal Crackers in My Soup" (from the film Curly Top, 1935; writers: Irving Caesar, Ted Koehler, Ray Henderson), "Funny Face" (from the musical Funny Face, 1927; writers: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin), "That Face" (writers: Lew Spence, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman), "They Didn't Believe Me" (from the musical The Girl from Utah, 1914; writers: Jerome Kern, Herbert Reynolds), "Were Thine That Special Face" (from the musical Kiss Me, Kate, 1948; writer: Cole Porter), "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" (from the musical My Fair Lady, 1956; writers: Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner), "Let's Face the Music and Dance" (from the musical Face the Music, 1932; writer: Irving Berlin)[20] |
| 8 | "Sam, You've Made the Pants Too Long" | Sam M. Lewis, Victor Young | 2:05 | Popular song (1931 vaudeville standard)[1] |
| 9 | "I'm All Smiles" | Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen | 2:29 | From the musical Here's Love (1963) |
| 10 | "Where Am I Going?" | Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields | 3:42 | From the musical Sweet Charity (1966) |
Release and Promotion
Commercial Release
Color Me Barbra was released in March 1966 in the United States by Columbia Records, available in both mono (catalog number CL 2478) and stereo (CS 9278) vinyl LP formats.[1] The album served as the soundtrack to Streisand's second CBS television special of the same name, which aired on March 30, 1966, and was notable as one of the first major color broadcasts on the network.[2] The initial packaging included a standard 12-inch vinyl LP accompanied by a 4-page full-color insert booklet featuring photographs from the television special, enhancing the thematic tie-in to its "color" motif.[16] Promotion emphasized this connection through local newspaper advertisements that urged audiences to "Watch Barbra Streisand's 'Color Me Barbra' tonight on TV … Play her new album tomorrow!", alongside radio airplay of key tracks to build anticipation around the special's premiere.[2] Singles drawn from the album further aided promotional efforts by introducing standout songs to radio listeners.[1] Internationally, Columbia Records rolled out similar vinyl LP editions in the United Kingdom (mono: 62675; stereo: BPG 62675), Canada (mono: CL 2478; stereo: CS 9278), and several European markets including Germany (stereo: S 62 675), France (mono: 62675), and the Netherlands (mono: 62675) by mid-1966.[1]Singles
Three singles were extracted from Color Me Barbra and released by Columbia Records in 1966 to capitalize on the album's tie-in with Streisand's CBS television special of the same name. These releases targeted adult contemporary audiences, drawing on the special's exposure to promote Streisand's versatile interpretations of Broadway and novelty tunes.[4][21] The lead single, "Where Am I Going?", backed with "You Wanna Bet" (Columbia 4-43518), was issued in January 1966. Featured on the album as a dramatic rendition from the musical Sweet Charity, it received moderate attention and debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in February, ultimately peaking at number 94 during its brief two-week run on the chart.[22][23] In April 1966, Columbia followed with "Sam, You've Made the Pants Too Long" (Columbia 4-43612), paired with "The Minute Waltz" as the B-side. This humorous 1920s novelty number, reinterpreted with playful flair, garnered some airplay on adult contemporary stations but failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100 or achieve significant commercial traction in the US.[24][25][26] The third single, "Non C'est Rien" (Columbia 4-43739), released in July 1966 with "Le Mur" on the B-side, shifted focus to international markets, particularly France, where Streisand's French-language recordings found a receptive audience. While it received limited promotion in the US, the track's inclusion in the album and special helped introduce her multilingual appeal to European listeners.[21][1][27]Commercial Performance
Chart Positions
Upon its release in March 1966, Color Me Barbra achieved strong initial chart performance in the United States, reflecting Barbra Streisand's growing popularity following her previous albums and television appearances. The album's success was bolstered by the promotion of its accompanying CBS-TV special, which aired the same month, and the inclusion of tracks like "Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long," which was released as a single and bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100 at number 98.[26] The following table summarizes the album's peak positions on major US album charts during 1966:| Chart | Peak Position | Year | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 | 3 | 1966 | 36 |
| US Cash Box Top Albums | 1 | 1966 |
Sales Certifications
In the United States, Color Me Barbra received a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on April 20, 1966, recognizing 500,000 units shipped.[30] The album has not achieved Platinum status or higher from the RIAA.[30] The home video release of the accompanying Color Me Barbra television special earned its own RIAA Gold certification on December 6, 1987, for 50,000 units.[30]| Region | Certifying Body | Certification | Units | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (Album) | RIAA | Gold | 500,000 | April 20, 1966 |
| United States (TV Special Video) | RIAA | Gold | 50,000 | December 6, 1987 |

