Yentl
Barbra Streisand · 1983
47 min · 13 tracks · jazz
A sweeping blend of theatrical melodies and poignant lyrics, reflecting the emotional journey of a young woman in search of identity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Papa, Can You Hear Me? — This track captures the essence of longing and vulnerability, showcasing Streisand's powerful vocal delivery while expressing the protagonist's deep connection to her father.
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A Piece of Sky — As a climactic moment in the narrative, this song embodies hope and aspiration, highlighting the character's quest for self-discovery through its soaring melodies.
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Where Is It Written? Start here — Opening the album, this track sets the thematic stage by questioning fate and destiny, encapsulating the central conflict faced by the main character.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively combines storytelling with rich orchestration, making it a notable entry in Streisand's discography.
What we noticed
- The album features a strong narrative arc, with tracks that follow the protagonist's emotional journey, particularly in songs like 'Papa, Can You Hear Me?' and 'A Piece of Sky'.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral arrangements that enhance the theatrical quality of the music, creating a lush soundscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- wistful reflections on love
- cathartic emotional climaxes
- intimate moments of vulnerability
- late-night solitude with introspection
- narrative-driven listening experience
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- seek standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Streisand as a director and producer, enhancing her reputation.
- Themes
- Jewish identity struggle· father-daughter connection· ambition in adversity
- Career context
- Released on November 8, 1983, 'Yentl' marked Barbra Streisand's first foray into directing and producing a film. At this point in her career, she was already an established superstar with multiple Grammy Awards and box office hits, but this project represented a significant artistic expansion as it allowed her to explore deeper themes of gender and identity through music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bette Midler· Liza Minnelli· Diana Ross
Tracklist
- 1 Where Is It Written? Start here 4:54
- 2 Papa, Can You Hear Me? 3:31
- 3 This Is One of Those Moments 4:10
- 4 No Wonder 2:31
- 5 The Way He Makes Me Feel 3:46
- 6 No Wonder, Part Two 3:20
- 7 Tomorrow Night 4:44
- 8 Will Someone Ever Look at Me That Way? 3:06
- 9 No Matter What Happens 4:04
- 10 No Wonder (reprise) 1:07
- 11 A Piece of Sky 4:23
- 12 The Way He Makes Me Feel (studio version) 4:12
- 13 No Matter What Happens (studio version) 3:17
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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