She was born Barbara Lynn Ozen in Beaumont, Texas, and attended Hebert High School. She played piano as a child, but switched to guitar, which she plays left-handed. Inspired by blues artists Guitar Slim and Jimmy Reed, and pop acts Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee, and winning several local talent shows, she created an all-female band, Bobbie Lynn and Her Idols.
She began performing in local clubs in Texas. Singer Joe Barry saw her and introduced Lynn to producer Huey P. Meaux, who ran SugarHill Recording Studios and several record labels in New Orleans. Her first single, "You'll Lose A Good Thing", co-written by her and Meaux, was recorded at Cosimo Matassa's J&M studio with session musicians including Mac Rebennack (Dr. John). Released by Jamie Records, it was a number 1 US Billboard R&B chart hit and Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1962. The song was later recorded by Aretha Franklin and became a country hit record for Freddy Fender. Lynn also released an album, also titled You'll Lose A Good Thing, which featured ten of her compositions.
Unusually for the time, Lynn was a female African American singer who both wrote most of her own songs and played a lead instrument. Soon Lynn was touring with such soul musicians as Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, James Brown, Al Green, Carla Thomas, Marvin Gaye, Ike and Tina Turner, The Temptations, and B.B. King. She appeared at the Apollo Theater, twice on American Bandstand, and had her song, "Oh Baby (We've Got A Good Thing Goin')" (1964) covered by The Rolling Stones on their album The Rolling Stones Now! (1965). She continued to record for the Jamie label until 1966 and had several more minor hits.
In 1966 she signed to Meaux's Tribe label, and recorded "You Left the Water Running," which was covered by Otis Redding among others. She signed for Atlantic the following year, and recorded another album, Here Is Barbara Lynn, in 1968. She married for the first time at age 28, in 1970 and had three children. This, together with dissatisfaction with poor promotion by the record company, contributed to her decision to largely retire from the music business for most of the 1970s and 1980s. However, while living in Los Angeles, she occasionally appeared at local clubs, and released several singles on Jetstream and other small labels.
In 1984 she toured Japan, and recorded a live album, You Don't Have to Go, which was released later in the US. She resumed her recording career after her husband's death, and returned to Beaumont, Texas, where her mother lived. She also undertook further international tours, to Europe and elsewhere. In 1994, she recorded her first studio album for over twenty years, So Good, and released several more albums for various labels in later years.
She continues to reside in Beaumont, and was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999. In 2002, electronic musician Moby sampled Lynn's "I'm A Good Woman" on his album, 18.
You'll Lose A Good Thing
Barbara Lynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yeah, you'll lose a good thing
If you should lose me
Oh yeah, you'll lose a good thing
You know I love you, do anything for you
Just don't mistreat me and I'll be good to you
'Cause if you should lose me
Oh yeah, you'll lose a good thing
I'm givin' you one more chance for you to do right
If you'll only straighten up, we'll have a good life
'Cause if you should lose me
Oh yeah,you'll lose a good thing
This is my last time, not asking any more
If you don't do right, I'm gonna march outta that door
And if you don't believe me
Just try it daddy and you'll lose a good thing
Just try it daddy and you'll lose a good thing
Just try it daddy and you'll lose a good thing
Just try it daddy and you'll lose a good thing
Just try it daddy and you'll lose a good thing
Barbara Lynn's song "You'll Lose a Good Thing" is a soulful ballad of a woman warning her lover that they risk losing her if they do not treat her right. The repeated phrase "If you should lose me, oh yeah, you'll lose a good thing" establishes the theme of the song in a straightforward manner. The lyrics suggest that she is not just voicing idle threats, but rather that she means business. She expresses her love for her partner and her desire to make the relationship work if he treats her well. Through her vocal delivery, she conveys a sense of vulnerability and resolve as she issues her ultimatum - straighten up or lose her for good.
The song reflects the struggles that many women face in relationships, particularly those where they feel undervalued or disrespected. It also speaks to the idea that people should value and appreciate what they have, lest they lose it. The lyrics are simple yet effective, relying on repetition and a catchy tune to convey their message.
Line by Line Meaning
If you should lose me
If you make the mistake of losing me
Oh yeah, you'll lose a good thing
You'll regret it because I am valuable
If you should lose me
If you make the mistake of losing me
Oh yeah, you'll lose a good thing
You'll regret it because I am valuable
You know I love you, do anything for you
I love you and am willing to make sacrifices
Just don't mistreat me and I'll be good to you
As long as you treat me well, I'll treat you well too
'Cause if you should lose me
But if you lose me
Oh yeah, you'll lose a good thing
You'll regret it because I am valuable
I'm givin' you one more chance for you to do right
I'm giving you a chance to make things right
If you'll only straighten up, we'll have a good life
If you improve your behavior, our life together will be good
'Cause if you should lose me
But if you lose me
Oh yeah, you'll lose a good thing
You'll regret it because I am valuable
This is my last time, not asking any more
This is your final warning
If you don't do right, I'm gonna march outta that door
If you don't improve, I will leave
And if you don't believe me
And if you doubt my determination
Just try it daddy and you'll lose a good thing
Then go ahead and see for yourself that you'll regret losing me
Just try it daddy and you'll lose a good thing
Then go ahead and see for yourself that you'll regret losing me
Just try it daddy and you'll lose a good thing
Then go ahead and see for yourself that you'll regret losing me
Just try it daddy and you'll lose a good thing
Then go ahead and see for yourself that you'll regret losing me
Lyrics © JAMIE MUSIC PUBLISHING CO, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Barbara Lynn Ozen, Huey Meaux
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind