Barbra Streisand - The Way We Were (Acapella)

Curiosities About “The Way We Were“ In his memoir, Hamlisch reflects on the extensive effort he invested, stating, “I dedicated weeks to the challenging task of finding the perfect theme.“ Initially daunted by the script, he grappled with a sense of despondency as the ideal combination eluded him. However, a breakthrough occurred one night when, still in a state of melancholy, he awoke at 2 a.m. with the song in his mind. Jotting it down, he refined it the next morning. Choosing a major key intentionally, Hamlisch steered away from the expected “sad“ tone of a tearjerker movie, aiming to infuse the composition with a sense of hope for the tragic story. Customizing the song for Streisand, he sought to provide notes that would allow her to soar without succumbing to sentimentality. For Hamlisch, the process was guided by an emotional response to finding the “right“ melody. He noted, “When I feel the emotional tug, when I react the way I hope the audience will, then I know I’ve got it.“ Engaging lyricists Marilyn and Alan Bergman, Ray Stark commissioned them to complement Hamlisch’s melody. Alan emphasized their lyrics’ role in enhancing mood and revealing aspects of characters or advancing the plot. Regarding their collaboration on “The Way We Were,“ Marilyn explained, “The main title had to function as a passage back in time, underscoring the flashback.“ The culmination of their efforts was eventually auditioned for Streisand, who, while loving it, offered valuable suggestions, including a note change and a pivotal adjustment to the lyrics, altering “daydreams“ to “mem’ries.“ Columbia Pictures distributed a promotional 7-inch record of “The Way We Were“ to movie theaters for film promotion, featuring an orchestral arrangement without humming. Concurrently, efforts commenced on creating a pop single rendition of the song. Marty Paich, responsible for arranging and producing the hit single, explained that the version performed by Barbra in the movie didn’t translate well to a pop record. To address this, Paich, along with Marvin Hamlisch, visited Barbra at her Carolwood residence in Beverly Hills. After hearing the song, they sought to make it more commercially appealing, leading Paich to rework the arrangement with a hipper rhythm section. On September 12, 1973, Streisand, Paich, and Hamlisch recorded the single at RCA Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Reflecting on the session, bassist Carol Kaye, part of the extensive orchestra, recalled the meticulous process with 33 consecutive takes. After an intense series of attempts, the definitive take emerged, marked by Streisand’s focused gaze and a shared understanding among the musicians. Marty Paich emphasized the urgency of the recording, noting, “Barbra stayed on to repair a few lines, and we worked straight through the night. I think it was four hours for the recording, and four hours for the mixing, which goes to show if you have the right artist and the right orchestra, you can make a hit record in one night.“ •Written by: Marvin Hamlisch / Marilyn & Alan Bergman •Produced & Arranged by: Marty Paich •Date Recorded: September 12, 1973 (RCA Recording Studios, Los Angeles, Calif.) Information, details and statements taken from the page: In the specific part: Our Instagram: thanks: @barbraarchives5604 #barbrastreisand #nomoretears #donnasummer #wet #1s #womaninlove #guilty #barrygibb #1980s #hit #hitsongs #80s #streisand #donnasummer #nomoretears #funnygirl #funnygirlfails #memory #cats #memorybarbra #memorycats #superman #backtobroadway #barbrarare #makeourgardengrow #nomoretears #celinedion #celine #tellhim #thewaywewere #barbraacapella #acapella #barbra #babs #streisand DISCLAIMER! THIS VIDEO IS BEING POSTED FOR EDUCATION SCHOLAR RESEARCH AND NON-PROFIT PURPOSES! Barbra Streisand, Marvin Hamlisch ©Columbia Records © 1973 ©