My Name Is Barbra


My Name Is Barbra is the first of two studio album tie-ins by Barbra Streisand for her debut television special of the same name, which aired April 28, 1965, on CBS-TV. Boosted by the critical acclaim for the broadcast, the album was certified gold and peaked at number 2 on the US charts; by 1966, the album sold over one million copies worldwide.
The album cover photograph of Streisand at age five was taken by her brother Sheldon. A digitally restored and remastered CD was released in 1990.

Song information

  • The opening track "My Name Is Barbara" is from the I [Hate Music |song cycle I Hate Music] by Leonard Bernstein, hence the spelling difference with the album title, based on Streisand's name.
  • The CD release contains an extended arrangement of "Why Did I Choose You?", a minute longer than the original vinyl release.
  • "Where Is the Wonder" was contributed by Dion McGregor and his roommate Michael Barr, who had sent many songs to publishers and were unsuccessful in getting them recorded; they viewed Streisand's rendition as a breakthrough in their songwriting career.

    Accolades

At the Grammy Awards">Grammy Awards">Grammy Awards the album garnered Streisand her third win for Best Female Vocal Performance, her fifth Grammy overall.
The National Association of Recording Merchandisers named Streisand the best-selling female vocalist of 1965.

Track listing

Side One
  1. "My Name Is Barbara" – 0:53
  2. a. "A Kid Again" – 1:27
b. "I'm Five" – 0:38
  1. "Jenny Rebecca" – 3:03
  2. "My Pa" – 2:30
  3. "Sweet Zoo" – 1:36
  4. "Where Is The Wonder" – 2:18
Side Two
  1. "I Can See It" – 3:06
  2. "Someone to [Watch Over Me |Someone to Watch Over Me]" – 2:43
  3. "I've Got No Strings" – 2:49
  4. "If You Were the [Only Girl |If You Were the Only Boy in the World]" – 3:28
  5. "Why Did I Choose You?" – CD: 3:46/Vinyl: 2:49
  6. "My Man" – 2:57

    Singles

  7. "Why Did I Choose You?" / "My Love": US #77
  8. "My Man" / "Where Is The Wonder ": US #79

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
US Cash Box62

Certifications and sales