Is What About Today? a good place to start with Barbra Streisand?

Yes, What About Today? is recommended as a starting point for new Barbra Streisand listeners. A reflective blend of traditional pop and soft rock, infused with introspective lyrics and Streisand's signature vocal intensity. Released in 1969, What About Today? is Barbra Streisand’s sixth studio album, following her commercial breakthrough with People. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as a pop culture icon while exploring more personal themes in her music, setting the stage for her later works that would embrace a wider variety of genres.

Who is What About Today? for?

What About Today? works well if you're into steady mid-tempo reflective journeys, nostalgic tunes for quiet moments and thoughtful lyrics for introspection.

How many songs are on What About Today??

What About Today? has 11 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

What About Today?

Barbra Streisand · 1969

34 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A reflective blend of traditional pop and soft rock, infused with introspective lyrics and Streisand's signature vocal intensity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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What About Today Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of contemplation and urgency, featuring a poignant melody that showcases Streisand's vocal range.
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Until It’s Time for You to Go — This cover stands out for its emotional depth and vulnerability, allowing Streisand to display her interpretive prowess in delivering heartfelt ballads.
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With a Little Help From My Friends — Streisand's rendition transforms this Beatles classic into a soulful anthem of support and friendship, reflecting her unique ability to reinterpret popular songs.
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Alfie — Her interpretation adds layers of longing and tenderness to this song, illustrating the emotional complexity that defines much of the album.

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 pop and jazz with reflective themes but lacks strong cohesion and distinctiveness.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a slow tempo and lush orchestration, setting a reflective tone for the record.
Several tracks incorporate jazz elements, such as syncopated rhythms and improvisational vocal phrasing, particularly evident in 'With a Little Help From My Friends.'
The arrangement of 'The Morning After' builds gradually, culminating in a powerful climax that showcases Streisand's vocal range.

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 reflective journeys
nostalgic tunes for quiet moments
thoughtful lyrics for introspection
warm melodies for afternoon listening

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy tracks
prefer standalone singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Streisand's status after her earlier success with People.
Themes: nostalgic reflections· personal transformation
Career context: Released in 1969, What About Today? is Barbra Streisand’s sixth studio album, following her commercial breakthrough with People. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as a pop culture icon while exploring more personal themes in her music, setting the stage for her later works that would embrace a wider variety of genres.
Stylistic neighbors: Bette Midler· Liza Minnelli· Diana Ross