On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)

"On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)"
A white vinyl record of the single appears
Promotional single by Barbra Streisand
from the album On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Released July 1970
Format 7"
Recorded Early 1970
Studio Samuel Goldwyn Studios
(West Hollywood, California)
Length 2:09
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Wally Gold

"On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" is a song recorded by American vocalist Barbra Streisand from the official soundtrack album to the 1970 American film On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner and produced by Wally Gold. The reprise rendition was released by Columbia Records as a promotional single on 7" vinyl in July 1970.

The track received positive reviews from music critics, with many of them listing it as a highlight on On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Three variations of the song appear on the soundtrack: the original version sung by co-star Yves Montand, the reprise version sung by Streisand, and an orchestral version performed alongside a live chorus.

Background and composition

"On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" serves as the title track and main theme to the 1970 American film of the same name, in which Streisand stars as the main character. The song was recorded onset in early 1970 while filming the movie at Samuel Goldwyn Studios in West Hollywood, California.[1] Three versions of the song exist and all appear on the accompanying soundtrack album. The original version is sung by Streisand's co-star Yves Montand, whereas the reprise version is performed by Streisand and the orchestral version is performed with a live chorus.[2]

The reprise rendition was released as a promotional single on 7" vinyl in July 1970 by Columbia Records. The standard edition release includes both the mono and stereo versions of "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" as the A-side and B-side, respectively.[3] A limited edition version also exists, where the mono version exclusively appears on 7".[4]

"On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner and produced by Wally Gold.[2] According to the official sheet music published by the Warner Music Group, the song is written in the key of E major with a moderately fast beat consisting of 126 beats per minute. Accompanied by the instrumentation of a piano, Streisand's vocals range from G3 to C5. She begins the song with the lyric "On a clear day, rise and look around you / And you'll see who you are".[5]

Reception

"On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" was perceived as a highlight on the film's soundtrack. Vincent Canby from The New York Times lauded the single and album tracks "Come Back to Me", "Go to Sleep", and "What Did I Have That I Don't Have" for being the soundtrack's four best songs.[6] Although AllMusic's William Ruhlmann was critical of the majority of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, he complimented Streisand's vocal performance on the title track.[7] The staff at Billboard complimented Streisand's performance on "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)". They wrote that because of its strength, and the strengths of soundtrack songs "He Isn't You" and "What Did I Have That I Don't Have", the album will likely become a commercial success and is worth purchasing.[8]

Track listing

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Nickens & Swenson 2000, p. 69
  2. 1 2 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand, Yves Montand (Vinyl release ed.). Columbia. 1970. S 30086.
  3. 1 2 "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" / "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand. Columbia. 1970. AE-24-1.
  4. 1 2 "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" / "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand. Columbia. 1970. AE-24-2.
  5. ↑ Lerner, Alan Jay; Lane, Burton (1965). "Barbra Streisand 'On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)' Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  6. ↑ Canby, Vincent (June 18, 1970). "Screen: 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever' Begins Its Run". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  7. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Barbra Streisand – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever [Original Soundtrack Recording]". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  8. ↑ Billboard staff (July 18, 1970). "Billboard Album Reviews: July 18, 1970". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 82 (29): 68. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.

Bibliography

  • Nickens, Christopher; Swenson, Karen (2000). The Films of Barbra Streisand (illustrated ed.). Citadel Press. ISBN 0806519541.
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