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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

"Comin' In and Out of Your Life" by Barbra Streisand

Song#:  0821
Date:  11/14/1981
Debut:  62
Peak:  11
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Streisand had the biggest studio album of her career with 1980's "Guilty." The #1 album featured three Top 10 hits including the #1 "Woman in Love." Co-produced and co-written by Barry Gibb, the LP gave Streisand a modern edge that got her away from her previous disco experiments and big pop ballads. But instead of continuing with a proper follow-up, Streisand decided to issue a hits package titled "Memories." The disc included a couple recent hits, songs from her late 70s albums, an oldie but goodie ("The Way We Were" - hence the "Memories" title), and three previously unreleased tunes. Oddly, the only song from "Guilty" included was the non-single "The Love Inside." It was a bit of a mixed bag, but the album did reach #10 and would eventually go multi-platinum. One of the new songs on the album was this first single. It was a bit of a step back relying on a big AC ballad, but it did peak at the dreaded #11 spot and reach #2 at AC. It would end up being her last solo single to get even close to the Top 10.

ReduxReview:  Of course I fell head over heels for this single back in the day. I mean, c'mon, it's a big-ass Streisand ballad with her trademark diva wailing. What's not to love? Looking back now, this single had to have been a disappointment. Going back and relying on a standard pop ballad after the subtle genius of Barry Gibb's production/songs was probably not the right move. When stacked up against some of her best material, the song kind of gets lost. I still like it, but I don't love it.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Although not a new song, the album contained "Lost Inside of You," which was featured on the soundtrack to "A Star is Born." On that album, Stresiand sings it as a duet with Kris Kristoferson. On "Memories" it is a previously unreleased solo version by Streisand.

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