Stoney End - Barbra Streisand (1971) 7/23/21

Laura Nyro wrote a lot of "Great Songs" during her short 49 years of life.

Just a few examples include "Wedding Bell Blues" by the Fifth Dimension, "And When I Die" by Blood, Sweat and Tears, "Eli's Comin" by Three Dog Night--all, of which were "Great Songs of 1969," and "Stoney End:" today's Great Song of 1971 by Barbra Streisand!

Up top that point, Barbra was known only for her show tune hits, such as "People" (from "Funny Girl) in 1964.

She was ready to rock out a bit and when producer Richard Perry suggested "Stoney End," Barbra not only made it her own--she took it to #2 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart as well as #6 on the Hot 100! In Canada, it reached #2 on the Top 40!

When you get right down to it, it was a Great Performance of a "Great Song," but it never would have happened without Laura Nyro's Great Writing.

One of the things that has always struck me is the fact that Laura Nyro was a fantastic singer who was blessed with a 3-octave voice--yet could never score a hit with one of her own compositions. So just for the record, I'm also linking to HER version. (See below.)

And one bit of trivia: between Laura and Barbra's versions, there was a version released by Peggy Lipton. You may remember Peggy from "The Mod Squad," or maybe as Mrs. Quincy Jones...or maybe as the mother of actress Rashida Jones. I'm also linking up HER version.

Check out all three...because a "Great Song" is a "Great Song!"

Barbra:

Laura:

Peggy: