Image Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic.com
When Barbra Streisand’s 48th album (not including the 12 soundtracks she has sung on), What Matters Most: Barbra Sings The Lyrics Of Alan and Marilyn Bergman, debuted in 4th place on this week’s Billboard 200 chart with sales of 68,000 copies, she became the first solo artist to earn a top five debut in six different decades.
Streisand first entered the Billboard chart in 1963, with The Barbra Streisand Album, which debuted at number eight, but it wasn’t until The Second Barbra Streisand Album‘s number-two bow later that year that she first cracked the top five. Since then, the Broadway belter has notched an additional 17 top five debuts, and impressively, she’s scored 31 top ten debuts overall. (For perspective, Frank Sinatra has 40 top ten albums, the Rolling Stones have 36, and The Beatles have 30.)
Unfortunately, Streisand couldn’t surpass Game, Jay-Z and Kanye West, or Adele to add another number-one album to her collection. Since, according to chart expert Paul Grein, “Streisand is the only solo artist who has had a #1 album in each of the last five decades, from the 1960s to the 2000s,” if she can pull out another chart topper during the 2010s, she will extend her record to six decades.
But I shouldn’t be raining on her parade! The reality is that Streisand’s chart power has endured for a whopping 48 years, an incredible feat in any industry, much less the here-today-gone-tomorrow music scene.
Few artists can claim that kind of longevity, and it is to Streisand’s credit that she has remained a notable and lucrative commodity. I guess it helps having talent!
Are you a loyal Streisand consumer? Did you pick up her latest album?
Read more on EW.com
What Matters Most album review
Barbra Streisand and Larry Kramer trade blame for failed ‘Normal Heart’ film — EXCLUSIVE
Barbra Streisand tops the albums chart in a busy week; Paramore bests Mariah Carey
The title was confusing. Am I the only one who thought that a specific album of hers was on the charts for 60 years? If so, I’m an idiot and it is so not fetch.
She was 9 sixty years ago.
Stop trying to make fetch happen! It’s never going to happen!
LOL Regina!
Uh, what is “fetch”? The last time I heard it was at a phone conversation when my niece insisted on not being picked up by my sister at school.
I don’t believe anyone can top Streisand. For my money Cher comes close, and I prefer to listen to Cher as there is greater variety in her music.
I also prefer to listen to Cher.
No one will ever be able to match (much less surpass) Streisand’s amazing run. A one of a kind talent/phenomenon.
There’s no one like her. Never will be.
Umm, what about Ke$ha?!?
Or Justin?
umm…. excuse me, but.. Kesha and Justin can’t be compared to Barbra. I’m sorry, but…no. Kesha’s auto-tuned and Justin’s a girl….
Congrats to Babs! One of a kind!!
Well, the Beatles recorded music for only 7 years. They stand alone.
Pink Floyd and Rolling Stone-they both span generations as well
Probably not, but best chance might be Jackie Evancho. I think, at only 11 years old, she’s already had two top five albums over two decades: 2000-2010, 2011-. Not a bad start.
Ronnie James DIO just about 6 decades before his passing. RIP
I appreciated the journalist’s comments about Streisand. The music business is incredibly competitive, so it is a unique accomplishment for Streisand to have had so much success for so long.
I love your thtughos, reflections, David, they are comforting and enlightening. Please keep writing.
Her first CD was titled ‘The Barbra Streisand’ album, not ‘The Streisand Album.’
No, it was “Pins and Needles” original cast recording.
Oops. ‘The Barbra Streisand Album,’ not ‘The Barbra Streisand’ album.
The titles of her first two albums are: The First Barbra Streisand Album and The Second Barbra Streisand Album.(You left out “Barbra”.)
Followed by Barbra Streisand The Third Album, Funny Girl (OBC) and People.
I bought each of them the first week they came out.
Josher, have to correct…Her first album is “The Barbra Streisand Album”. Then her second was “The Second Barbra Streisand Album”. BRAVO to her for this new CD. I like it a lot.
“Pins and Needles” and “I Can Get It For You Wholesale” cast recordings preceded “The Barbra Streisand Album.” So not fetch of both of you. (I’m clueless what “fetch” is, but it seems very pubescent.)
And Josher, when did YOU come out?
madonna rules!it’s nice to hear this peiscrns, beyonce, giving madonna the respect she deserves!VA:F [1.9.11_1134]Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
Sorry, I see someone corrected you while I was posting.
I think it’s her best cd in the past few years. That voice!! She just gets better and better. And she seems to be relaxing more and really enjoying herself now more than in the past.
What a wonderful article. A nice tribute to an enduring talent. With the current state of the industry, I’m guessing no one will pass Barbra’s record. Her talent is ageless and evergreen.