Superman (Barbra Streisand album)

The first half of 1977 turned out to be a huge success for Barbra - single No. 1, album No. 1, one of the highest grossing films of the year. This summer was the perfect time to release Streisand's new album, Streisand Superman . During sessions for this album, Barbara recorded several new versions of songs from the soundtrack of A Star Is Born - “With One More Look at You”, “Everything”, “Lost Inside of You” and “Woman in the Moon”. These songs, however, were not used on the album. Recorded then, “Lost Inside of You” was released on the 1981 album, Memories , and the song “With One More Look At You” in 2012 on Release Me .

With the release of Superman, Barbara began working with The Entertainment Company . The music producers who led the company, Gary Klein and Charles Koppelman, were mainly involved in the promotion of songs and albums, as well as the production of duets by famous musicians.

Two songs from the Superman album were recorded specifically for the movie “A Star Is Born ” - “Answer Me” by Streisand, Paul Williams and Kenneth Asher and “Lullaby For Myself” by Rupert Holmes ^[4] .

Recording of the album began in April 1977. A month later, the title single in support of the album, My Heart Belongs To Me, was released. The first music video in Barbara’s career was shot for this song ^[5] . In the video, Streisand sings a song to the soundtrack, and also comically depicts conducting the orchestra, coughing from smoke, funny physiognomy.

The song Love Comes From Unexpected Places was written by Kim Carns and her husband Dave Ellingson. Director Richard Brooks later talked about how Barbara wanted the song to sound in the opening credits of his film “ Finding Mr. Goodbar, ” starring Diane Keaton . He refused her this service, because he considered her voice too strong for the film. However, Brooks soon changed his mind and suggested Streisand use the song in the final credits instead of the opening scene. But, this time, she herself rejected his request.

Billy Joel wrote New York State of Mind. His version was released on Turnstiles' 1976 album. He said: “This is one of the greatest singers of all time, and she records my song? Mine? "I really liked her record, including because it increased my significance in the eyes of my mother."

Scott Matthew and Ron Nagle worked on Don't Believe What You Read and Cabin Fever. “Don't Believe What You Read” was written after an article on Streisand was published in Los Angeles Magazine under the heading “ A Pigeon Is Born ” ( A Pigeon is Born ). The article said that Barbara and John Peters built a bird aviary at home, and the birds spread dirt around. The article was soon published by other publications. While working on the album, several authors and acquaintances of the singer admitted that they were afraid to go to her house because of the birds. This whole situation led to Streisand contacting Nagle and Matthew to record a response song for this article ^[6] .

“I Found You Love” was written by Alan Gordon and was also recorded by Cher and Gregg Allman for their joint album Two the Hard Way .

The author of the song “Try To Win a Friend” was Larry Gatlin , the song was first released in 2012 on the album Release Me . The unreleased "I Love Making Love to You" by Richard Jerminaro, Evie Sands and Benjamin Weisman was recorded by Karen Carpenter and released on her debut album. The album also did not include “Music Man” by Paul Anka .

Photos of Streisand in Superman costume were taken by Steve Shapiro . The photo shoot was inspired by one small scene from the movie “A Star Is Born,” in which Barbra appeared in a similar costume.

The album debuted on the Billboard 200 chart from 25th place on July 2, 1977, after just a month reaching its peak in third place. The album was very successful, remaining in the top 200 for 25 weeks, becoming gold on June 22, 1977, platinum on August 9, and double platinum on November 14, 1994. The album also hit the top 40 of the UK chart, at number 32 ^[7] .

In May 1977, the first and only single in support of the album, My Heart Belongs To Me, was released. The song was originally considered a candidate for the soundtrack of A Star Is Born ^[8] . The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on 52nd place, eventually reaching 4th place and remaining on the chart for 17 weeks. Another song from this album, Superman, was released as the second single in support of Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 in the summer of 1979 ^[9] .

1. Superman (Richie Snyder) - 2:47
2. Don't Believe What You Read ( Barbra Streisand , Ron Nagle, Scott Mathews) - 3:37
3. Baby Me Baby (Roger Miller) - 4:26
4. “I Found You Love” ( Alan Gordon ) - 3:50
5. “Answer Me” (Streisand, Paul Williams , Kenny Ascher ) - 3:16
6. “My Heart Belongs to Me” (Alan Gordon) - 3:21
7. Cabin Fever (Ron Nagle) - 3:14
8. "Love Comes from Unexpected Places" ( Kim Carnes , Dave Ellingson) - 4:10
9. New York State of Mind ( Billy Joel ) - 4:44
10. Lullaby for Myself (Rupert Holmes) - 3:17

• The Barbra Streisand Official Site - Superman
• Barbra Streisand Archives: Records / Superman