Saturday 9: Why Did I Choose You?

Saturday 9: Why Did I Choose You? (1965)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Barbra Streisand reassures her lover that, if she had it all to do again, she would still choose him. Tell us about a decision you've made that you never, ever regretted.

A. I have never regretted marrying my husband. He is a good, strong, kind, loyal, wonderful man.

2) The music was composed by Michael Leonard, who studied classical music at Julliard and the Handel Conservatory of Music in Munich. Do you often listen to classical music?

A. Sometimes. I wouldn't call it often. I do listen to the music from the Lord of the Rings movies a lot. It is kind of classical sounding. Here's a nice guitar version of some of it:

3) The lyrics were written by Herbert Martin. He taught music in the NYC public school system and during the summer worked in summer stock. That's how he met and began collaborating with Michael Leonard. Tell us how you met someone important in your life.

A. I met my husband many times only we didn't know it. We rode the school bus together for several years, but he was four years older than I, so he ignored me totally, and I thought he was not nice. Then, my father set a field on fire, and my husband, at the time a volunteer firefighter, came to put the fire out. I was down there all sweaty and dirty from trying to beat back the flames and keep them out of the forest; that was the summer I was 19. Then a few months later, in October 1982, we were properly introduced underneath the goal posts at the intra-county rivalry football game. He didn't say much so I stood there asking questions about football even though I'd been in high school band and thus attended numerous football games and understood the game very well. He asked me out for the next night and I had to turn him down because I had plans with my parents. After the football game was over, we met again at Mike's Market, where everyone went to get a soda, and he asked me out then and there, and we went dancing.

4) Ms. Streisand was a very good student, graduating fourth in her class at Erasmus Hall High School when she was only 16. One of Barbra's classmates was Neil Diamond. Do you have a favorite Neil Diamond song?

A. Play Me.

5) While she didn't go on to college, she continued her education by attending two different acting schools simultaneously. Did you enjoy being a student?

A. I loved being a student. I will still be a student if I could.

6) Barbra and her first husband, Elliott Gould, shared a New York apartment over a 5th Avenue restaurant called Oscar's Salt of the Sea. Elliott originated the role of Trapper John in the movie M*A*S*H. On TV, the role of Trapper was played by Wayne Rogers. Can you think of another role that's been played by more than one actor?

A. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was played by Kristy Swanson in the movie, and by Sarah Michelle Gellar in the TV series.

7) Oscar's Salt of the Sea has ties to Sesame Street. Jim Henson loved their food and was amused by how inhospitable the owner, Oscar, could be. That's how Oscar the Grouch got his name. Which is your favorite Muppet?

A. The chef.

8) Back to Barbra . . . She is a successful recording artist (nominated for 45 Grammy awards, winning 8) and an Oscar-winning actress, but she's suffered career disappointments, too. In 2010, she read the book Hidden Figures and tried to buy the rights so she could direct the film version. She lost out to fellow Brooklynite, director Theodore Melfi. In 2016, his movie of Hidden Figures was released. Did you see the movie or read the book?

A. I have not done either. It's on my to-do list.

9) Random question: Your best friend takes up painting and proudly presents her first framed work to you. You think it's atrocious. Would you hang it in your home anyway?

A. I would hang it for a while.

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