From A LOVE LIKE OURS
Written by Richard Marx
In 1999, Barbra Streisand released a new album entitled “A Love Like Ours.” The focus of this new project was Streisand’s new marriage with actor James Brolin. “A Love Like Ours” is a collection of classic and new songs where the megastar beautifully sings about the happiness she has found with her new love. Accompanying Streisand on this record was the usual A-List of music-makers, songwriters and musicians. David Foster was obviously on call together with fellow super-producers Walter Afanasieff, Tony Brown and the late Arif Mardin.
Foster worked on the most radio-friendly track, “If You Ever Leave Me.” Written by Richard Marx who also co-produced it with Foster, “If You Ever Leave Me” is a moving ballad performed by Streisand with country superstar Vince Gill. The catchy arrangement, a trademark of Foster and Marx, is tailor-made for the two singers who trade lines very nicely. Thanks to Gill’s appearance, “If You Ever Leave Me” became a minor hit on the country charts.
“A Love Like Ours” offers several other good moments including a Afanasieff-produced silky rendition of Ivan Lins’ classic, “The Island,” plus another beautiful ballad, “Just One Lifetime.” Co-written by Melissa Manchester with Tom Snow and produced by Mardin, “Just One Lifetime” was first performed by Ms. Streisand at her wedding.
“If I Didn’t Love You” is another Foster-produced song from the album. It is an intense ballad that showcases Streisand’s voice at its best. We would also like to mention William Ross who did an outstanding job with most of the orchestral arrangements. “A Love Like Ours” was quickly certified platinum and reached #6 on Billboard’s Top 200.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/if_you_ever_leave_me.mp3|titles=If you ever leave me|artists=Barbra Streisand & Vince Gill]
Lead Vocals: Barbra Streisand & Vince Gill
Keyboards: Richard Marx & David Foster
Programming: Felipe Elgueta
Drums: J.R. Robinson
Bass: Nathan East
Acoustic Guitars: Vince Gill, Donald Kirkpatrick & Kamil Rustam
Electric Guitars: Donald Kirkpatrick & Vince Gill
Orchestra Arranged & Conducted by William Ross
Produced & Arranged by David Foster & Richard Marx
Lyrics
(Vince)
When I fall you’re my
place to land
I lose my touch, you’re my hands
The one I hold on to
If you run out of reasons to try
I’ll love enough for
both you and I
I’ll be the one you can run to
(Barbra)
I’d rather go through
any pain love puts us
through
Than to spend one day
without you by my side
(Both)
If you ever leave me
Will you take me with you?
If you’re ever lonely
I wanna be lonely too
My home’s beside you
No matter where you may go
My love’s inside you
Even more than you know
(Barbra)
In a world of anger and lies
I find peace in your eyes
A flame in the darkness
(Both)
Ooh… And through all
space and time
Till every star refuses to shine
(Barbra)
You know where my heart is
I’d rather go through
any pain love puts us
through
Then to spend one day
without you by my side
(Both)
If you ever leave me
Will you take me with you?
If you’re ever lonely
I wanna be lonely too, oh
My home’s beside you
No matter where you may
go, where you may go
My love’s inside you
Even more than you know
(Vince)
Oooh oh yeah…
(Both)
And I can’t remember
life without you
The way it used to be
Feels like a million years away
(Vince)
But hold me till the angels sing
(Barbra)
Tell me every little thing
(Both)
Promise me forever from this day
If you ever leave me
Will you take me with you?
If you’re ever lonely
I wanna be lonely too, whoa
My home’s beside you
No matter where you may go
My love’s inside you
Even more than you know
(Barbra)
Even more than you know,
(Vince)
Even more than you know,
(Both)
Even more than you know,
Even more than you know.