# What About Today?

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/What_About_Today%3F
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/What_About_Today%3F.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_About_Today%3F
> Source revision: 1333603113
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

"Little Tin Soldier" redirects here. For the Small Faces hit, see [Tin Soldier (song)](/source/Tin_Soldier_(song)).

1969 studio album by Barbra Streisand

What About Today? Studio album by Barbra Streisand Released July 1969 (1969-07) Recorded March 16, 1968; May 22, 1968; June 23, 1968; February 8, 1969; May 14 & 22, 1969 Studio Columbia Records (New York, NY) Hollywood, CA Genre Pop[1] Length 34:22 Label Columbia Producer Wally Gold Barbra Streisand chronology A Happening in Central Park (1968) What About Today? (1969) Hello, Dolly! (1969) Singles from What About Today? "The Morning After" / "Where Is the Wonder?" Released: April 1968 "Frank Mills" / "Punky's Dilemma" Released: February 1969 "Little Tin Soldier" / "Honey Pie" Released: July 1969

***What About Today?*** is the eleventh studio album by [Barbra Streisand](/source/Barbra_Streisand). Released in July 1969,[2] it is notable as her first recording of contemporary pop music, featuring songs by [The Beatles](/source/The_Beatles) and [Paul Simon](/source/Paul_Simon), among others.

Two singles were released to promote the album: "[Frank Mills](/source/Hair_(musical))" (with "[Punky's Dilemma](/source/Punky's_Dilemma)" as a [B-side](/source/B-side))[3] and "Little Tin Soldier" (with "Honey Pie" as the B-side),[4] which managed to reach #35 on Billboard's [Adult Contemporary](/source/Adult_Contemporary_(chart)) music chart.[5][6]

[Columbia Records](/source/Columbia_Records) re-released the album in 1993, along with ten others newly available on [compact disc](/source/Compact_disc).[7] The album was not a commercial success, and became one of only three Streisand studio albums not to receive certification for record sales (the others being *[Barbra Streisand...and Other Musical Instruments](/source/Barbra_Streisand...and_Other_Musical_Instruments)* and *[What Matters Most](/source/What_Matters_Most_(Barbra_Streisand_album))*).

## Background and production

In the late 1960s, [rock](/source/Rock_music) was the music style that dominated the charts in the [United States](/source/United_States) and many other countries. [Columbia Records](/source/Columbia_Records), concerned about the drop in Streisand's record sales (which until 1966 had been earning gold records with all of her albums and selling nearly 1 million with each of them worldwide)[8][9] had plans to make the artist's repertoire more contemporary.[10] The agent of this change was [Clive Davis](/source/Clive_Davis), who was brought to the record company by [Goddard Lieberson](/source/Goddard_Lieberson), and managed to bring a significant change in the record company's catalog of artists which was still closely linked to artists from the [Great American Songbook](/source/Great_American_Songbook), the canon of American music composed by artists from the 1920s to the 1950s who sing [jazz standards](/source/Jazz_standard), [traditional pop](/source/Traditional_pop) and [show tunes](/source/Show_tune).[10] Davis had helped the label hire artists such as [Janis Joplin](/source/Janis_Joplin), [Bruce Springsteen](/source/Bruce_Springsteen), [Chicago](/source/Chicago_(band)), [Kenny Loggins](/source/Kenny_Loggins), and [Pink Floyd](/source/Pink_Floyd), which turned out to be a great investment.[10] Despite disagreeing with the idea, Streisand followed Davis' advice.[10] In 1968, a single was released for the song "The Morning After",[11] which featured as a B-side the song "Where is the Wonder" from her 1965 [My Name Is Barbra](/source/My_Name_Is_Barbra) album,[12] but despite having a more contemporary sound, the single did not appear on the music charts.

The album was produced by Wally Gold, while [Peter Matz](/source/Peter_Matz) conducted and arranged the songs: "Ask Yourself Why", "[Honey Pie](/source/Honey_Pie)", "[Punky's Dilemma](/source/Punky's_Dilemma)", "That's a Fine Kind O' Freedom", "Little Tin Soldier" and "[Goodnight](/source/Good_Night_(Beatles_song))".[13] [Don Costa](/source/Don_Costa) arranged and conducted the tracks: "What About Today?" and "The Morning After".[13] [Michel Legrand](/source/Michel_Legrand) was responsible for producing and conducting the orchestra on the songs "[Until It's Time for You to Go](/source/Until_It's_Time_for_You_to_Go)", "[With a Little Help from My Friends](/source/With_a_Little_Help_from_My_Friends)" and "[Alfie](/source/Alfie_(Burt_Bacharach_song))", Legrand worked with the singer in many other albums.[13] The photos from both cover and the back cover were taken by [Richard Avedon](/source/Richard_Avedon), in 1968, one of the photos from the same shoot appeared in the March 1968 issue of [Vogue](/source/Vogue_(magazine)).[14] Four songs were recorded but not included in the final tracklisting "Chovendo na Roseira", by [Tom Jobim](/source/Tom_Jobim), "Lost in Wonderland", "Tomorrow I Will Bring You a Rose" and "One Day" which was used in 1990s *[The Earth Day Special](/source/The_Earth_Day_Special)*.[15]

## Critical reception

Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [16] Billboard favorable[18] Robert Christgau unfavorable[17]

The album received mixed reviews from [music critics](/source/Music_journalism).

William Ruhlmann, from *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)* website gave the album two stars out of five and wrote that it is an unsuccessful attempt by Streisand because she didn't seem to understand contemporary music at the time.[16] He also wrote that although Streisand was two years younger than newcomers like [Paul Simon](/source/Paul_Simon) and [John Lennon](/source/John_Lennon), on the record, she sings like she was their mother.[16]

Writing for *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, in October 1969, music critic [Robert Christgau](/source/Robert_Christgau) wrote an unfavorable review in which he stated that the singer was not suited to the music style chosen and that "not only is Streisand's emotion wasted on material so monotonous, as it is also shown as an arbitrary exercise".[17]

*[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* wrote that the album tunes "were carefully selected" and shows Streisand "astonishing vocal capabilities" and also an honest message to the youth.[18]

## Commercial performance

The album peaked at #31 on the [Billboard 200](/source/Billboard_200) music chart and stayed there for seventeen weeks, making it the worst performance of an album by the singer at that time. In [Canada](/source/Canada), it peaked at #26 on April 10, 1969, on the *[RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))* magazine chart.[19]

## Track listing

### Side one

1. "What About Today?" ([David Shire](/source/David_Shire), [Richard Maltby, Jr.](/source/Richard_Maltby%2C_Jr.)) – 2:57

1. "Ask Yourself Why" from the motion picture *[The Swimming Pool](/source/The_Swimming_Pool_(1969_film))* ([Alan Bergman](/source/Alan_Bergman), [Marilyn Bergman](/source/Marilyn_Bergman), [Michel Legrand](/source/Michel_Legrand)) – 3:03

1. "[Honey Pie](/source/Honey_Pie)" ([John Lennon](/source/John_Lennon), [Paul McCartney](/source/Paul_McCartney)) – 2:39

1. "[Punky's Dilemma](/source/Punky's_Dilemma)" ([Paul Simon](/source/Paul_Simon)) – 3:29

1. "[Until It's Time for You to Go](/source/Until_It's_Time_for_You_to_Go)" ([Buffy Sainte-Marie](/source/Buffy_Sainte-Marie)) – 2:55

1. "That's a Fine Kind O' Freedom" ([Harold Arlen](/source/Harold_Arlen), [Martin Charnin](/source/Martin_Charnin)) – 3:02

### Side two

1. "Little Tin Soldier" ([Jimmy Webb](/source/Jimmy_Webb)) –3:53

1. "[With a Little Help from My Friends](/source/With_a_Little_Help_from_My_Friends)" (Lennon, McCartney) – 2:40

1. "[Alfie](/source/Alfie_(Burt_Bacharach_song))" ([Burt Bacharach](/source/Burt_Bacharach), [Hal David](/source/Hal_David)) – 3:20

1. "The Morning After" (Maltby, Shire) – 2:40

1. "[Goodnight](/source/Good_Night_(Beatles_song))" (Lennon, McCartney) – 3:44

## Personnel

- [Barbra Streisand](/source/Barbra_Streisand) – [singer](/source/Singing), [liner notes](/source/Liner_notes)

- Wally Gold – [producer](/source/Record_producer)

- [Michel Legrand](/source/Michel_Legrand) – [arranger](/source/Arrangement), [conductor](/source/Conducting) on tracks 5, 8, 9

- [Peter Matz](/source/Peter_Matz) – arranger, conductor on tracks 2–4, 6, 7, 11

- [Don Costa](/source/Don_Costa) – arranger, conductor on tracks 1, 10

- Don Meehan – [recording engineer](/source/Audio_engineer)

- [Richard Avedon](/source/Richard_Avedon) – [photographer](/source/Photography)

## Charts

Chart (1969) Peak position Canadian Albums (RPM)[19] 26 US Billboard 200[20] 31 US Cashbox Top Albums[21] 30

## Release history

Region Date Format Catalog United States July 1969 (1969-07) Vinyl Columbia CS-9816 United States July 1969 (1969-07) Cassette Columbia 16 10 0658 United States July 1969 (1969-07) 8-track tape Columbia 18 10 0658 Worldwide reissue 19 October 1993 CD Columbia CK-47014

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Molanphy_2023_1-0)** Molanphy, Chris (February 10, 2024). ["The Hello Gorgeous Edition"](https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade/2024/02/how-barbra-became-the-original-taylor). *Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia* (Podcast). [Slate](/source/Slate_(magazine)). Retrieved February 10, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-http://www.bjsmusic.com_2-0)** ["The Barbra Streisand Music Guide – What About Today?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120902214945/http://www.barbrastreisand.com/us/music/what-about-today). Archived from [the original](http://www.barbrastreisand.com/us/music/what-about-today) on September 2, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** *Frank Mills/Punky's Dilemma* (Media notes). [Barbra Streisand](/source/Barbra_Streisand). [Columbia Records](/source/Columbia_Records). 1969. 4-44775.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes)))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** *Little Tin Soldier/Honey Pie* (Media notes). [Barbra Streisand](/source/Barbra_Streisand). [Columbia Records](/source/Columbia_Records). 1969. 4-44921.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes)))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Barbra Streisand Chart History: Adult Contemporary"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/barbra-streisand/chart-history/asi/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Barbra Streisand Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160309021911/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/barbra-streisand-mn0000855531/awards). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/barbra-streisand-mn0000855531/awards) on March 9, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Máximo, João (June 13, 1994). ["Barbra Streisand prefere grandes compositores ao pop dos anos 60"](https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/1994/6/13/ilustrada/13.html). *[Folha de S.Paulo](/source/Folha_de_S.Paulo)*. [UOL HOST](/source/UOL_HOST). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210917155626/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/1994/6/13/ilustrada/13.html) from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021. *Barbra Streisand Collection* is the title of the series with which Sony launches in Brazil, at economical prices (20% less), 11 CDs by the singer, today with 52 years of life and 32 years of career. (...) The singer's four exclusive CDs are "The Barbra Streisand Album", "The Second Barbra Streisand Album" and "The Third Album" (all from 1963) and "What About Today?" (1969).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-riaa1_8-0)** ["Gold & Platinum Database: "Barbra Streisand""](https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=barbra+streisand#search_section). *[Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America)*. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Inc1966_9-0)** Lurie, Diana (March 18, 1966). ["Stricken with phenomenal success at 23, Barbra Streisand is more ridden than ever by self-doubts and fears"](https://books.google.com/books?id=-0sEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA93). *[Life](/source/Life_(magazine))*. Time Inc. p. 93–. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0024-3019](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0024-3019).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-davisstreisand_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-davisstreisand_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-davisstreisand_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-davisstreisand_10-3) Mordden, Ethan (2019). [*On Streisand: An Opinionated Guide*](https://books.google.com/books?id=aiSQDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT101). Oxford University Press. pp. 99–101. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0190651787](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0190651787).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-singleTMA_11-0)** ["Barbra Streisand sings The Morning After (AD)"](https://books.google.com/books?id=pwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA5). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. [Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media). May 11, 1968. p. 5–. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0006-2510](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0006-2510).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-mnib_12-0)** Ruhlmann, William. ["Allmusic Review: My Name Is Barbra"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/my-name-is-barbra-mw0000196531). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-watproducers_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-watproducers_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-watproducers_13-2) Edwards, Anne (2016). [*On Streisand:A Biography*](https://books.google.com/books?id=8OHVCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA399). Rowman & Littlefield. p. 399–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1630761295](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1630761295).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-baVogue_14-0)** ["People Are Talking About ..."](https://archive.vogue.com/issue/19680301) *[Vogue](/source/Vogue_(magazine))*. March 1, 1968. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-barbra-archives.com_15-0)** Howe, Matt. ["Streisand Albums: What About Today?"](https://www.barbra-archives.info/what-about-today-1969-album). *www.barbra-archives.info*. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AM-WATr_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AM-WATr_16-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-AM-WATr_16-2) William Ruhlmann (2012). ["Allmusic Review: Barbra Streisand - What about today?"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/what-about-today-mw0000654641). *www.allmusic.com*. Retrieved November 16, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RC-WATr_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RC-WATr_17-1) Robert Christgau (October 26, 1969). ["Barbra Streisand, Featuring Mary Hopkin"](http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-aow/streisand.php). *www.robertchristgau.com*. Retrieved November 16, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BM-WATr_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BM-WATr_18-1) ["Billboard Album Reviews"](https://books.google.com/books?id=rykEAAAAMBAJ&q=barbra+streisand+what+about+today+album+review&pg=RA1-PA66). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. August 23, 1969. Retrieved May 9, 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RPMc_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RPMc_19-1) ["Top Albums/CDs - Volume 12, No. 7 April 10, 1969"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160310193336/http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6087&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6087.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6087). Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown)). [RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Billboard200_Barbra_Streisand_20-0)** "[Barbra Streisand Chart History (*Billboard* 200)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Barbra-Streisand/chart-history/TLP)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved March 9, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Top 100 Pop Albums"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1969/CB-1969-10-04.pdf) (PDF). *[Cashbox](/source/Cashbox_(magazine))*. p. 45. Retrieved July 16, 2025.

## External links

- [Official Site Discography](http://www.barbrastreisand.com/index.php?page=music4)

- [The Barbra Streisand Music Guide - What About Today?](http://www.bjsmusic.com/what.html)

- [Barbra Streisand Archives: Records/What About Today?](http://barbra-archives.com/record/albums/what_about_today_streisand.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160615055856/http://barbra-archives.com/record/albums/what_about_today_streisand.html) June 15, 2016, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

v t e Barbra Streisand Discography Songs Filmography Accolades Studio albums The Barbra Streisand Album (1963) The Second Barbra Streisand Album (1963) The Third Album (1964) People (1964) My Name Is Barbra (1965) My Name Is Barbra, Two... (1965) Color Me Barbra (1966) Je m'appelle Barbra (1966) Simply Streisand (1967) A Christmas Album (1967) What About Today? (1969) Stoney End (1971) Barbra Joan Streisand (1971) Barbra Streisand...and Other Musical Instruments (1973) The Way We Were (1974) ButterFly (1974) Lazy Afternoon (1975) Classical Barbra (1976) Superman (1977) Songbird (1978) Wet (1979) Guilty (1980) Emotion (1984) The Broadway Album (1985) Till I Loved You (1988) Back to Broadway (1993) Higher Ground (1997) A Love Like Ours (1999) Christmas Memories (2001) The Movie Album (2003) Guilty Pleasures (2005) Love Is the Answer (2009) What Matters Most (2011) Partners (2014) Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway (2016) Walls (2018) The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two (2025) Live albums A Happening in Central Park (1968) Live Concert at the Forum (1972) One Voice (1987) Barbra: The Concert (1994) Timeless: Live in Concert (2000) Live in Concert 2006 (2007) Back to Brooklyn (2013) The Music...The Mem'ries...The Magic! (2017) Live at the Bon Soir (2022) Compilations Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits (1970) Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits Volume 2 (1978) Memories (1981) A Collection: Greatest Hits...and More (1989) Just for the Record... (1991) The Essential Barbra Streisand (2002) Duets (2002) Barbra: The Ultimate Collection (2010) Release Me (2012) The Classic Christmas Album (2013) Release Me 2 (2021) Evergreens: Celebrating Six Decades on Columbia Records (2023) Cast recordings and soundtracks I Can Get It for You Wholesale (1962) Pins and Needles (1962) Funny Girl (1964) Funny Girl (1968) Hello, Dolly! (1969) The Owl and the Pussycat (1970) On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970) The Way We Were (1974) Funny Lady (1975) A Star Is Born (1976) Yentl (1983) Nuts (1987) Television specials and videos My Name Is Barbra (1965) Timeless: Live in Concert (2001) One Night Only: Barbra Streisand and Quartet at The Village Vanguard (2010) Tours Barbra Streisand in Concert Timeless Streisand Barbra Live Barbra: The Music, The Mem'ries, The Magic Films directed Yentl (1983) The Prince of Tides (1991) The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996) Related articles Streisand effect "Mecha-Streisand" Harold Sings Arlen (With Friend) (featuring album) Elliott Gould (first husband) Jason Gould (son) James Brolin (second husband) Roslyn Kind (half-sister) My Name Is Barbra (2023 memoir) Category

Authority control databases MusicBrainz release group

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [What About Today?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_About_Today%3F) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_About_Today%3F?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.