Streisand's Fifty Percent — Page 2

Girlfriend's still got it--I especially like the way she ends the song.



But that Dorothy Loudon clip is NOT the definitive Loudon performance of the song on video. This one, from the Tony Awards, even with the first 10 seconds of Dorthy's vocal cut off by the CBS sound man. Dorothy captures the extraordinary vulnerability she displayed in Bennett's misbegotten masterpiece.

Yes, thanks PJ, that is the better clip. I have a sentimental attachment to the one I used because it had its own special poignancy (she was older and, if I'm remembering correctly, already diagnosed with the disease that would eventually take her from us) but it doesn't have the impact of her Tony's performance.

Lifelong Streisand fan here, to preface before being called a hater. I am more concerned about the changes to the music here than the lyrics. She completely undercuts the big sweeping moments of the song vocally and you miss that thrilling ending Loudon gave us on "I'd raaaaaaaaaaather have 50 Percent of him...". Wish Streisand would have recorded this in the 80's.

MichelleCraig said: "[...] Thanks."

John Adams said: "ljay889 said: "This is such a wonderful song."

It's one of my all-time favorites from musical. It's special to me because it's a song about relishing and being satisfied with what you can and do have, as opposed to bemoaning what you don't have or can't have. It's about fully knowing, and having confidence that the "incomplete" love you have can be, and is just as strong as any other.

When Barbra changed the lyric from "or expect his tomorrows" to "I don't butter his toast", she downgraded that message significantly. IMO (and admittedly, I may be alone in this), changing the lyric to something so drastically polar from the original message and as insignificant as 'buttering toast' demonstrates a lack of understanding/appreciation for the material.

I first heard this song almost 40 years ago. As a gay man who's lived nearly all his life being denied the right to marry, I've always appreciated its definition of, and its permission to accept that love is love; it is not restricted to a social or legal definition.

These lyrics in particular have always resonated with me:

I don't share his name
I don't wear his ring
There's no piece of paper saying that he's mine
But he says he loves me and I believe it's true
Doesn't that make someone belong to you?

The Bergmans have written a beautiful song. I wish Barbra demonstrated more respect for them and their work. I wish she had more faith that the music she's producing on this album might be able to stand on its own - because she is Barbra freakin' Streisand. "

Love this song, but I wish there was a version of the lyrics for a straight male to sing about a female.

Nick Cosgrove - "Fifty Percent" from Ballroom

Arranged and orchestrated by Matt Aument, this song was originally sung by Dorothy Loudon in the musical Ballroom, but Matt wanted to hear it done by a man which has given the song a new outlook and different meaning. This song, along with a few others was recorded in the School of Music at Carnegie Mellon University in April of 2010 for Matt's Senior Thesis.
this rendition - Broadway Backwards 2023...someone this year?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeeGXaiehzY

Updated On: 1/26/23 at 06:08 PM

Opening this 6 year old thread to see it was bumped by a straight man complaining about it really made me chuckle.

Updated On: 1/26/23 at 06:27 PM

Speaking as a token straight, DO we fall in love? It sometimes seems like “acquisition and resentment songs” describe our lives more than “love songs,” but then again I think of Virginia Woolf as optimistic in tone, so take my neuroses and intimacy issues as personal, not universal.

How about "I don't shop for her food" and "I don't shop for her clothes."

MysteriousLady said: "JanMaxwellsBag said: "Opening this 6 year old thread to see it was bumped by a straight man complaining about it really made me chuckle."

I'm chuckling at how dumb your take on this is. People alter songs all the time but I guess that's too much for you to handle."

Toto, I guess we’re not on Gay Twitter anymore…

It was a joke. Sometimes gay people make jokes. Darquegk understood!

Updated On: 1/30/23 at 06:04 PM

JSquared2 said: "JanMaxwellsBag said: "MysteriousLady said: "JanMaxwellsBag said: "Opening this 6 year old thread to see it was bumped by a straight man complaining about it really made me chuckle."

I'm chuckling at how dumb your take on this is. People alter songs all the time but I guess that's too much for you to handle."

Toto, I guess we’re not on Gay Twitter anymore…

It was a joke. Sometimes gay people make jokes."



True...however most gays think that they are WAY more entertaining than they actually are...

"

True. Also most of the jokes I make on here are really just to make myself laugh. But the point is, I wasn’t even trying to have a “take.” I know people change things around all the time. I was just being a goof, which I guess maybe didn’t come across because it’s the internet and tone is hard. MysteriousLady then decided to turn isht up to 11.