If I Close My Eyes

Last updated
"If I Close My Eyes"
Barbra Streisand "If I Close My Eyes".jpg
Single by Barbra Streisand
from the album Up the Sandbox
B-side
  • "If I Close My Eyes" (Mono)
  • "If I Close My Eyes" (Instrumental)
ReleasedJanuary 1973 (1973-01)
Length2:23
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Billy Goldenberg
Barbra Streisand singles chronology
"Didn't We"
(1972)		"If I Close My Eyes"
(1973)		"The Way We Were"
(1973)

"If I Close My Eyes" (also called "Theme from Up the Sandbox") is a song recorded by American vocalist Barbra Streisand for the 1972 American film Up the Sandbox . It was distributed for radio airplay in January 1973 through Columbia Records, while in later years it was made available as a 7" single. The single was written and produced by Billy Goldenberg, with Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman also contributing to the lyrics. Streisand requested Goldenberg to take the film's score and create a song out of it. During a late night phone conversation, he developed a melody and then the song was created.

Contents

The singer has never performed "If I Close My Eyes" and remained absent from any of her compilation albums until 1991, when she included it on her first box set titled Just for the Record... . Michel Legrand, a longtime collaborator for Streisand, serves as a featured artist on this version.

Background and release

"If I Close My Eyes", or "Theme from Up the Sandbox", was written and composed specifically for the 1972 American film Up the Sandbox , in which Streisand stars as the main character. It was recorded during a session in mid 1972, one of Streisand's first sessions for music since the work created for her most recent studio album at the time, Barbra Joan Streisand (1971). [1] Since the singer's role in the film was very demanding, she had little time to record any music. During an interview with Time in 1975, one of the editor's stated that Streisand called Billy Goldenberg and requested he turn the film's final music sequence into a standalone song, to which he completed. Goldenberg recalled that he "wrote like mad" to get the job done on time: "When she called I hummed her the tune. She liked it, and the next day we got the word writers Marilyn and Alan Bergman to fit it out with a lyric." The editor concluded by claiming that the single was released a few weeks later. [2]

The single was written and produced by Goldenberg, with Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman also contributing to the lyrics. It was released to United States radio stations in January 1973, [3] strictly as a non-commercial release. [4] However, in later years a 7" single was available for purchase from Streisand's catalog. [5] The distribution took place in two different formats: the earlier promotional edition version features the "Vocal Version" plus the instrumental, [6] while the standard release includes the "Stereo" and "Mono" renditions. [4] Anne Edwards, an author who compiled a biography displaying Streisand's discography in 2016, wrote that "If I Close My Eyes" may have been released in December 1972, coinciding with the North American release of Up the Sandbox. [7]

Promotion

The physical release of "If I Close My Eyes" was very limited and only a set number of singles were created. Furthermore, Streisand excluded it from nearly all of her greatest hits albums. However, it was featured on disc three of Streisand's fifth compilation album and first box set, Just for the Record... in 1991. [8] The version that appears on the record is slightly different compared to the 1973 recording, with the more recent release featuring additional contributions from French musician and personal friend Michel Legrand. [9]

Track listings and formats

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United States [3] January 1973AirplayColumbia
United States [5] Unknown7"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way We Were (song)</span> Song by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman

"The Way We Were" is a song by American singer Barbra Streisand from her fifteenth studio album of the same name. It was released as the album'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?"; the Mexico release instead included an instrumental B-side. The song 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).

<i>The Movie Album</i> (Barbra Streisand album) 2003 studio album by Barbra Streisand

The Movie Album is the thirtieth studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released on October 14, 2003, by Columbia Records. Overall, her sixtieth release with her record label, it was executively produced by Streisand and her manager, Jay Landers. A concept album, it contains twelve songs from the singer's favorite films ranging in release from 1935 to 1988. While curating the album, Streisand was inspired by her marriage to actor James Brolin to record songs about love and relationships. To better fit her needs, songwriting duo Alan and Marilyn Bergman were commissioned to add lyrics to several of the songs Streisand had chosen to record.

"What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" is a song with lyrics written by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman and original music written by Michel Legrand for the 1969 film The Happy Ending. The song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song but lost out to "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Ask of You</span> 1986 single by Sarah Brightman and Cliff Richard

"All I Ask of You" is a song from the 1986 English musical The Phantom of the Opera, between characters Christine Daaé and Raoul, originally played on stage by Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton, respectively. It was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, and solely produced by Lloyd Webber. An operatic pop piece, its lyrics serve as dialogue between the two characters and discuss themes such as commitment and romance. Like Lloyd Webber's song "The Music of the Night", "All I Ask of You" was compared to the music found in Giacomo Puccini's 1910 opera La fanciulla del West.

<i>Timeless: Live in Concert</i> 2000 live album by Barbra Streisand

Timeless: Live in Concert is a live album released by Barbra Streisand on September 19, 2000. It was her fifth live album and was released on Columbia Records. The album was issued a week before what were said to be her final concerts in September 2000 and would reach platinum certification.

<i>What About Today?</i> 1969 studio album by Barbra Streisand

What About Today? is the eleventh studio album released in July 1969 by Barbra Streisand. It is considered to be her first attempt at recording contemporary pop songs and features songs by The Beatles and Paul Simon, among others.

<i>The Way We Were</i> (Barbra Streisand album) 1974 studio album by Barbra Streisand

The Way We Were is the fifteenth studio album recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand. Following the commercial success of its lead single "The Way We Were", the album was released in January 1974. Three additional songs were newly recorded for the album, while six of the tracks salvaged material from previously unreleased Streisand projects. Following distribution of a soundtrack album for the 1973 film of the same name, Columbia added a caption to Streisand's LP in order to minimize confusion between the two albums.

<i>A Love Like Ours</i> 1999 studio album by Barbra Streisand

A Love Like Ours is the twenty-eighth studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand. It was released in North America on September 21, 1999, and Europe on September 20, 1999. It is her 23rd Top 10 album in the US. This was Streisand's first commercial release since her marriage to actor James Brolin. Much of the material was inspired by this event. As such, the disc booklet contains images of her and Brolin.

<i>Christmas Memories</i> 2001 studio album by Barbra Streisand

Christmas Memories is the second Christmas album and twenty-ninth studio release by American singer Barbra Streisand. It was released on October 30, 2001, by Columbia. Streisand recorded the album during July, August, and September 2001 in various recording studios throughout California and in North Vancouver. It was executive-produced by Streisand and Jay Landers, while William Ross and David Foster served as additional producers. The album contains several cover versions of various holiday songs. To promote Christmas Memories, Columbia Records released an advance sampler version of the album titled A Voice for All Seasons.

<i>Live Concert at the Forum</i> 1972 live album by Barbra Streisand

Live Concert at the Forum is the second live album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released physically on October 1, 1972 by Columbia Records. Produced by long-time collaborator Richard Perry, it was recorded at The Forum in Inglewood, part of Greater Los Angeles, on April 15, 1972, during Four for McGovern, a concert held in benefit for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign. A CD version of Live Concert at the Forum was released on September 6, 1989.

<i>Barbra Streisand...and Other Musical Instruments</i> 1973 studio album by Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand...and Other Musical Instruments is the fourteenth studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand. It was released on November 2, 1973 by Columbia Records. The album was made available following a 1973 live television special promoted to improve Streisand's image and sound. With world music as the primary genre, the album's instrumentation varies greatly; even items such as kitchen utensils were used to create melodies and beats. With a majority of the songs on the album being cover songs, Streisand also re-recorded various tracks that originated earlier in her career. Her manager, Martin Erlichman, was credited as the album's sole and executive producer.

<i>Just for the Record...</i> 1991 compilation album by Barbra Streisand

Just for the Record... is a box set by American singer Barbra Streisand. It was released by Columbia Records on September 24, 1991. Streisand and her manager, Martin Erlichman, were credited as the album's executive producers. Just for the Record... includes a variety of performances throughout Streisand's career, including a song taken from her first studio recording session in 1955: a cover of "You'll Never Know". Other tracks were compiled from various live performances, TV specials, and previous albums from her back catalog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Didn't We (Richard Harris song)</span> 1968 song by Richard Harris

"Didn't We" is a song recorded by Irish singer and actor Richard Harris for his debut studio album, A Tramp Shining (1968). It was written and produced by Jimmy Webb and originally served as the B-side to Harris' 1968 single "MacArthur Park". "Didn't We" was then distributed as the record's single by Dunhill Records, also in 1968. A traditional pop song, Harris sings about his life in the past. Commercially, it charted at lower positions of both the United States and Canada, and in the higher ranks of their Adult Contemporary component charts. Harris featured "Didn't We" on several of his greatest hits albums, including The Richard Harris Collection: His Greatest Performances from 1973. That same year, the song was reissued as a promotional single paired alongside his 1971 single "My Boy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan and Marilyn Bergman</span> American lyricists and songwriters

Alan Bergman and Marilyn Keith Bergman were an American songwriting duo. Married from 1958 until Marilyn's death, together they wrote music and lyrics for numerous celebrated television, film, and stage productions. The Bergmans enjoyed a successful career, honored with four Emmys, three Oscars, two Grammys, and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

<i>Yentl</i> (soundtrack) 1983 soundtrack album by Barbra Streisand

Yentl is a soundtrack album to the film of the same name by American singer Barbra Streisand. It was released on November 8, 1983, by Columbia Records. The album was produced by Streisand and Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and arranged and conducted by Michel Legrand. The music is by Legrand and the lyrics by the Bergmans. The album peaked at #9 on the Billboard Top 200 LP chart was gold and platinum status on January 9, 1984, by the RIAA for shipping 500,000 and 1 million copies, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guava Jelly (song)</span> 1971 song recorded by Bob Marley and the Wailers

"Guava Jelly" is a song recorded by the Jamaican group Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was released as a 7" vinyl single through Tuff Gong and Green Door Records. It was issued commercially with B-side track "Redder Then Red", which was misspelled on its initial printing, in 1971. It was written and produced by Marley and features uncredited lyrical contributions from Bunny Livingston. A reggae composition like the majority of Marley's works, "Guava Jelly" contains a rocksteady and island-like production with lyrics loosely based around sexual intercourse. His use of the term "guava jelly" was likely referring to a specific type of sexual lubricant. It was favorably viewed by several reviewers, with many of them finding the composition to be sexual and about love. The group placed "Guava Jelly" on several compilation albums, including Africa Unite: The Singles Collection in 2005, and Owen Gray and Herbie Mann created their own versions in 1974 and 1975, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All in Love Is Fair</span> Song by Stevie Wonder

"All in Love Is Fair" is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder recorded for his sixteenth studio album, Innervisions (1973). Written and produced by Wonder, it was released as a 7" single in Brazil in 1974. The song is a pop ballad with lyrics that describe the end of a relationship through the use of clichés. Critical reaction to the song was varied: Matthew Greenwald of AllMusic wrote that it was among Wonder's "finest ballad statements", but Robert Christgau felt that the singer's performance was "immature". Wonder has included it on several of his greatest hits albums, including the most recent, 2005's The Complete Stevie Wonder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jubilation (song)</span> 1972 single by Paul Anka

"Jubilation" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka for his 1972 studio album of the same name. Anka wrote the song with Johnny Harris, who also produced the track. It was released in 1972 as a 7" single by Buddah Records. A gospel song, the lyrics of "Jubilation" find the protagonist preaching about religious themes. Making a moderate commercial impact, it appeared on the record charts in both Canada and the United States. It has since been included on several of Anka's greatest hits albums and covered by The Edwin Hawkins Singers in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We're Not Makin' Love Anymore</span> 1989 single by Barbra Streisand

"We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" is a song recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand for her fourth greatest hits album, A Collection: Greatest Hits...and More (1989). It was released on September 14, 1989 by Columbia Records on 7-inch, 12-inch, cassette, and CD. It was written by Michael Bolton and Diane Warren and produced by Narada Michael Walden. Bolton's inspiration for the song was derived from his divorce; he and Warren debated what singer would be able to sing their work well and ultimately decided that Streisand would be the right fit. The song is a ballad that is similar in sound to Streisand's "Comin' In and Out of Your Life" (1981).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Night of My Life (Barbra Streisand song)</span> 2005 single by Barbra Streisand

"Night of My Life" is a song recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand for her 31st studio album, Guilty Pleasures (2005). It was released as the album's second single on September 27, 2005, by Columbia Records. The track was written by Ashley Gibb and Barry Gibb while production was handled by Barry Gibb and John Merchant. It serves as one of Streisand's first of 11 reunion collaborations with Barry Gibb since their work on her album Guilty in 1980. It was released digitally and on 12" and CD in five different formats, each including various remixes of the single.

References

  1. ↑ Considine 1986 , p. 232
  2. ↑ Time staff (September 8, 1975). "Music: Reels of Sound" . Time . Vol. 106, no. 10. Time Inc. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "charts.nz – Barbra Streisand – If I Close My Eyes". Top 40 Singles . Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "If I Close My Eyes" (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand (Standard ed.). Columbia. 1972. 4-45780.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. 1 2 Popoff 2010 , p. 1136
  6. 1 2 "If I Close My Eyes" (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand (Promotional ed.). Columbia. 1972. 4-45780.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ Edwards 2016 , p. 407
  8. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Barbra Streisand – Just for the Record'...'". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  9. ↑ Just for the Record... (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand. Columbia. 1991. C4K-44111.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

Works cited

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.