Memories…
When Barbra Streisandknocked Ringo Starr's "You're Sixteen" off the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on February 2, 1974, she finally achieved something that had eluded her for over a decade in the music business—a number one hit. "The Way We Were," the achingly beautiful ballad from her romantic drama of the same name, claimed the top spot and held strong through February 20, 1974, nestled between Love Unlimited Orchestra's "Love's Theme" and Terry Jacks' "Seasons in the Sun." The song would spend three weeks total at number one that year and went on to become Billboard's top single of 1974.
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What made this particular ballad resonate so deeply with audiences? Well, for starters, it served as the love theme for one of the year's biggest movies—a sweeping romantic drama (some say melodrama, meant in the deragotory sense!) directed by Sydney Pollack that paired Streisand with a swoon-worthy Robert Redford. The film told the bittersweet story of Katie Morosky, a passionate Jewish political activist, and Hubbell Gardiner, an easygoing WASP writer. The two meet in college during the 1930s, reconnect after World War II and fall into an intense romance despite being complete opposites. Their relationship unfolds against the backdrop of Hollywood's Red Scare and the blacklist era, with their fundamental differences ultimately proving too much to overcome. It's both hearthbreaking and a lil' cheesy.
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The role of Katie was written specifically for Streisand by playwright Arthur Laurents, who adapted his own 1972 novel for the screenplay. Getting Redford on board proved more difficult—he turned down the role twice before finally agreeing, and Streisand later credited his initial reluctance with ultimately making the character more interesting. But enough about the movie—we're here for the music!
All About the Making of the The Way We Were
The song (written by Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch) was developed specifically with Streisand in mind. “You are tailor-making a song for an artist,” said composer Hamlisch. “And if it's Barbra Streisand it has to fit her until she's comfortable.”
The singer also had some say in the song itself, too. Hamlisch originally wrote the lyrics beginning with "Daydreams light the corners of your mind," but Streisand made a suggestion: change it to "Memories."
Recording the track wasn't easy either. Legendary session bassist Carol Kaye, who played on the song, said the richly orchestrated number required 33 takes to get right. Yes, 33. Streisand recorded it live with a full string section and members of the Wrecking Crew backing her up on September 12, 1973. Producer Marty Paich worked through the night—four hours of recording followed by four hours of mixing!—to complete what he knew would be a hit.
The song almost didn't make it into the film at all. According to Hamlisch, "The Way We Were" was cut from the original version of the movie. But after a disappointing screen test, he lobbied hard to rescore the final scene with the ballad. When audiences saw the finished film with the song included, they wept. The song stayed.
The Way We Were Became a Cultural Phenomenon
The accolades poured in. Hamlisch and the Bergmans won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 46th Academy Awards.
For Streisand, the song marked a pivotal moment in her career. She'd been a star since her Broadway debut at age 19 and had conquered stage, screen and albums—but a number one pop hit had remained elusive. "The Way We Were" changed that, selling over two million copies and earning platinum certification. The album of the same name, hastily assembled by producer Tommy LiPuma to capitalize on the single's success, also hit number one.
So on February 20, 1974, when you turned on the radio, you were hearing Barbra Streisand at the absolute peak of her powers, delivering a performance that would define her career and become a permanent part of the American songbook.
Next, 100 best love songs.
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