Is ButterFly a good place to start with Barbra Streisand?

Yes, ButterFly is recommended as a starting point for new Barbra Streisand listeners. A blend of traditional pop and jazz inflections, showcasing Streisand's powerful vocals against lush instrumental backdrops. Released in 1974, ButterFly marked a transitional phase for Barbra Streisand as she moved from her established pop and Broadway roots toward more contemporary influences. This album followed her commercially successful record, The Way We Were, and showcased her exploration of disco elements and modern production techniques.

Who is ButterFly for?

ButterFly works well if you're into steady mid-tempo listening experience, warm vocals for cozy evenings and uplifting tracks for joyful moments.

How many songs are on ButterFly?

ButterFly has 10 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

ButterFly

Barbra Streisand · 1974

35 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A blend of traditional pop and jazz inflections, showcasing Streisand's powerful vocals against lush instrumental backdrops.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Love in the Afternoon Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I Won’t Last a Day Without You — This track highlights Streisand's emotive vocal delivery paired with poignant lyrics about vulnerability and dependence, embodying the album’s emotional core.
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Life on Mars — A cover of David Bowie's classic, this rendition showcases Streisand's ability to transform a rock staple into a soulful ballad, revealing her versatility.
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Crying Time — Streisand's rendition brings a heartfelt depth to this classic, emphasizing her skill in conveying raw emotion through phrasing and interpretation.
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Let the Good Times Roll — This upbeat track encapsulates the celebratory spirit of the album, featuring vibrant instrumentation that contrasts with Streisand's more introspective offerings.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz and pop with strong vocals but lacks a cohesive thematic arc.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate unexpected tempo changes, such as 'Life on Mars', which shifts from a slow ballad to a more dynamic section.
The final track, 'Let the Good Times Roll', serves as an upbeat conclusion, contrasting with the more introspective nature of earlier songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo listening experience
warm vocals for cozy evenings
uplifting tracks for joyful moments
reflective vibes during quiet times

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced, high-energy music
seek experimental or avant-garde sounds

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album marked a transition to contemporary influences, enhancing her recognition.
Themes: 1970s romantic escapism· jazz-infused nostalgia· celebratory nightlife
Career context: Released in 1974, ButterFly marked a transitional phase for Barbra Streisand as she moved from her established pop and Broadway roots toward more contemporary influences. This album followed her commercially successful record, The Way We Were, and showcased her exploration of disco elements and modern production techniques.
Stylistic neighbors: Bette Midler· Liza Minnelli· Diana Ross