I saw the movie with my wife a couple of years ago. I hated it for its treatment of marriage and effective approval of divorce. I used to like the song, but the association with the movie made me hate it.
Rus, I don't give film recommendations at Sometimes a Song, and the film is not one we would feature here for several reasons. For SAS I feature songs, the stories behind them, and singers and composers.
This song came out at the time of my parents' divorce. As I listen to your three linked versions now, I'm looking at an old Polaroid I keep above my desk of my parents and me on a late 1960s Florida vacation, my mom desperately holding us together as the waves come in behind us. She knew what was up. A couple of years ago, I made Dad's cancer journey with him, held his hand as he passed, told him I loved him over and over. All memories are beautiful and yet, what's too painful to remember, I choose to remember, along with the laughter. There's that great scene and line in "Shadowlands." C.S. Lewis wrote, "The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That's the deal."
Thank you for sharing that real story. And yes, we all have regrets and most of us find a way to press through those and look back on what was good, even when things weren't entirely as they should have been. The song I think tapped into the common experience of memories. As I get older, the stories I tell tend to focus on the good things I remember. There are things I would rather forget, of course, and cannot. But it's better for the soul if we "choose to forget" as much as possible of people's failures. Our own are enough to tend to. And yes, the Lord makes the sun to shine on the just and the unjust, and some folks get more than their share of sorrow in this life. Lewis had a balanced view of life, didn't he?
Thank you. This was so interesting especially the part where she suggests to change Daydream to Memories. I know the song from the movie and this,"but he kept in mind Barbra and her singing style and range, the lyrics, and mood of nostalgia and regret that the screenplay required." I think this is what I like in the movie and the song, the mood of nostalgia and regret. I don't think that mood would come across in the movie as well as it does if it was not for the song..
It's funny now that I love the song, but don't really want to revisit the film .. because it's ultimately a failed love story. But the story was memorable, and like the song touches a chord in audiences. Yes, I agree that the song really did set the tone for the story and probably subconsciously intensified the the overall message.
I listened to all three, "The Way We Were" versions and I liked the soundtrack the most. I don't recall ever hearing this version with the instrumental introduction and vocals slightly less out front as memories do fade
William, that was the official Columbia Records release from the album. I don't recall it either, and I found the instrumental almost to overwhelm Barbra's voice -- if that is possible. I kept thinking that someone had tampered with the recording. Who knows?
Marvin Hamlisch shines brightest in the soundtrack version. Listened to all 3 versions. Memories too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget. Does this take any other 65 year old right back to 8th grade? Thanks be to Gif for the gift of music. And life!
Oh, Anne, I'm right there with you--give or take a year. This song takes me back. "If we had the chance to do it all again, tell me, would we?" Following the arresting imperative, is this line asking if we would choose to make the same commitments, the same decisions, the same mistakes? And the next line, "Could we?" Is this a rhetorical question doubting capacity, or is it an invitation: could we try again? Depends on how you sing it and how the primary audience hears it. The lyrics certainly carry more freight at 60ish than they did in middle school or junior high!
Thank you for posting this! I was born in 1971 and grew up hearing this song on the radio. Even as a very small child, it evoked feelings of nostalgia, sadness, and longing in me. It was a powerful song indeed to have evoked these feelings in someone with very little life experience. The composer did an excellent job, and I'm not surprised to read that the song was composed especially with Barbra Streisand in mind...it was so her!
Debra, thank you as always for your very illuminating and inciteful notes. The first two have basically the same arrangement, with steady keyboard underlying - Barbra nostalgic but sad. In the film version the arrangement is free flowing, no more pulsating keyboard and somehow more uplifting. Barbra sad but at the same time happier.
I think I like the film score version best, too. But I think that the music in the album version is a bit too much. I want to hear her voice without as much competition.
Debra, please do not bother yourself with this problem on abeautiful Saturday afternoon. My problem is chronic. I’m watching a movie or listening to a song and it goes dead. Maybe I am doing something wrong. Is the entire movie or thr entire song Meant to be played?
The entire song is meant to play through to the end. The same for the films, except when we cannot find a free version. Then we are reduced to using trailers only. Lately, much to our dismay, Youtube has put nearly every film behind a paywall. That has greatly limited what we can share. When we began W&S, almost every film we recommended was available for free somewhere, either Youtube or Internet Archive. Both are gutted now for our purposes. And even the hymns are greatly limited compared to what we used to be able to find.
Folks: please promote and, if feasible, acquire physical media – music, movies, television, etc. – which will help preserve the older titles and give you a greater measure of control over your listening and viewing pleasure. A good Sunday to all.
Steve, we have been doing this for years. We still have an use working VHS tapes in our little get-away north of the border. We have full season DVD sets of many shows and collections of many films. For W&S we have tried to find ways people can take a look at these films-- every week -- without breaking the bank. But what we can't link to, we can still recommend. I hope that our paying subscribers will use our archive if they are looking for a good movie recommendation, any time. But yes, if you really love an old movie, a physical copy is a good idea. Even the many subscription services can just shut down, and presto! all is gone.
I saw the movie with my wife a couple of years ago. I hated it for its treatment of marriage and effective approval of divorce. I used to like the song, but the association with the movie made me hate it.
Rus, I don't give film recommendations at Sometimes a Song, and the film is not one we would feature here for several reasons. For SAS I feature songs, the stories behind them, and singers and composers.
This song came out at the time of my parents' divorce. As I listen to your three linked versions now, I'm looking at an old Polaroid I keep above my desk of my parents and me on a late 1960s Florida vacation, my mom desperately holding us together as the waves come in behind us. She knew what was up. A couple of years ago, I made Dad's cancer journey with him, held his hand as he passed, told him I loved him over and over. All memories are beautiful and yet, what's too painful to remember, I choose to remember, along with the laughter. There's that great scene and line in "Shadowlands." C.S. Lewis wrote, "The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That's the deal."
Sniff, dab. Beautifully put. Sometimes it feels good to get misty…..
Thank you for sharing that real story. And yes, we all have regrets and most of us find a way to press through those and look back on what was good, even when things weren't entirely as they should have been. The song I think tapped into the common experience of memories. As I get older, the stories I tell tend to focus on the good things I remember. There are things I would rather forget, of course, and cannot. But it's better for the soul if we "choose to forget" as much as possible of people's failures. Our own are enough to tend to. And yes, the Lord makes the sun to shine on the just and the unjust, and some folks get more than their share of sorrow in this life. Lewis had a balanced view of life, didn't he?
Beautiful! And what memories! Fun read as well. Thanks.
You are most welcome, Gary. What a great song and a fine singer. THAT is worth remembering!
Thank you. This was so interesting especially the part where she suggests to change Daydream to Memories. I know the song from the movie and this,"but he kept in mind Barbra and her singing style and range, the lyrics, and mood of nostalgia and regret that the screenplay required." I think this is what I like in the movie and the song, the mood of nostalgia and regret. I don't think that mood would come across in the movie as well as it does if it was not for the song..
It's funny now that I love the song, but don't really want to revisit the film .. because it's ultimately a failed love story. But the story was memorable, and like the song touches a chord in audiences. Yes, I agree that the song really did set the tone for the story and probably subconsciously intensified the the overall message.
I listened to all three, "The Way We Were" versions and I liked the soundtrack the most. I don't recall ever hearing this version with the instrumental introduction and vocals slightly less out front as memories do fade
William, that was the official Columbia Records release from the album. I don't recall it either, and I found the instrumental almost to overwhelm Barbra's voice -- if that is possible. I kept thinking that someone had tampered with the recording. Who knows?
There's something about the 1st version, from the album of same name, that appealed to me a little more, but all are fabulous--such a fabulous talent!
It's a great song, and Barbra did indeed "own" it.
Whoops. Thanks be to God!!!
Marvin Hamlisch shines brightest in the soundtrack version. Listened to all 3 versions. Memories too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget. Does this take any other 65 year old right back to 8th grade? Thanks be to Gif for the gift of music. And life!
Oh, Anne, I'm right there with you--give or take a year. This song takes me back. "If we had the chance to do it all again, tell me, would we?" Following the arresting imperative, is this line asking if we would choose to make the same commitments, the same decisions, the same mistakes? And the next line, "Could we?" Is this a rhetorical question doubting capacity, or is it an invitation: could we try again? Depends on how you sing it and how the primary audience hears it. The lyrics certainly carry more freight at 60ish than they did in middle school or junior high!
“Carry more freight.” I like that turn of phrase. Thanks, Lisa!
Indeed, they do.
Ann, yes. I am sure I first heard this song on the school bus myself.
Thank you for posting this! I was born in 1971 and grew up hearing this song on the radio. Even as a very small child, it evoked feelings of nostalgia, sadness, and longing in me. It was a powerful song indeed to have evoked these feelings in someone with very little life experience. The composer did an excellent job, and I'm not surprised to read that the song was composed especially with Barbra Streisand in mind...it was so her!
It was composed for her for the film soundtrack. But it fit her to a T. So glad you enjoyed it.
Debra, thank you as always for your very illuminating and inciteful notes. The first two have basically the same arrangement, with steady keyboard underlying - Barbra nostalgic but sad. In the film version the arrangement is free flowing, no more pulsating keyboard and somehow more uplifting. Barbra sad but at the same time happier.
I like them all!
I think I like the film score version best, too. But I think that the music in the album version is a bit too much. I want to hear her voice without as much competition.
Yes, over-production l.
"Golden Glove Award for Best Original Song": I know Miss Streisand is a fighter, but shouldn't that be "Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song"?
Hahaha! Tony proofed me, too. I was very tired when I finished this at 1 am! But either way, she deserved it!
Why do songs and movies stop playing while only partly finished?
Fran, I will check these again. The song runs for three minutes and thirty seconds. I checked the time on all of them but will check again.
Debra, please do not bother yourself with this problem on abeautiful Saturday afternoon. My problem is chronic. I’m watching a movie or listening to a song and it goes dead. Maybe I am doing something wrong. Is the entire movie or thr entire song Meant to be played?
The entire song is meant to play through to the end. The same for the films, except when we cannot find a free version. Then we are reduced to using trailers only. Lately, much to our dismay, Youtube has put nearly every film behind a paywall. That has greatly limited what we can share. When we began W&S, almost every film we recommended was available for free somewhere, either Youtube or Internet Archive. Both are gutted now for our purposes. And even the hymns are greatly limited compared to what we used to be able to find.
Folks: please promote and, if feasible, acquire physical media – music, movies, television, etc. – which will help preserve the older titles and give you a greater measure of control over your listening and viewing pleasure. A good Sunday to all.
Steve, we have been doing this for years. We still have an use working VHS tapes in our little get-away north of the border. We have full season DVD sets of many shows and collections of many films. For W&S we have tried to find ways people can take a look at these films-- every week -- without breaking the bank. But what we can't link to, we can still recommend. I hope that our paying subscribers will use our archive if they are looking for a good movie recommendation, any time. But yes, if you really love an old movie, a physical copy is a good idea. Even the many subscription services can just shut down, and presto! all is gone.
My favorite. This one is a beautiful rendition. The violins perhaps. Her voice for sure.
I d like violins with the arrangement! What a voice.