Born in Salem (near Ann Arbor), Michigan, Lewis was writing and recording by her teens with producer Ollie McLaughlin. (McLaughlin was a black DJ at Ann Arbor radio station WHRV, now WAAM, who is also credited with discovering Del Shannon.) Her first single release in 1962, the uptempo "My Heart Went Do Dat Da," did not chart nationally but was a local hit in the Detroit area. She wrote all of the songs on her debut LP (including the hit "Hello Stranger"). Though her follow-ups did not have the same success, her song "Someday We're Gonna Love Again" was covered by The Searchers for a British Invasion hit.
In the 1960s, Lewis recorded in New York City, with producers Bert Berns and Jerry Wexler, leading to commercially-successful hits like "Baby I'm Yours" which is written by Van McCoy ('The Hustle'1975) and "Make Me Your Baby." At the end of the decade she released a grittier-sounding album on Stax Records, and after its lack of commercial success, she began to withdraw from music.
However, over the next decade, a number of other artists had success with Lewis' songs, most notably Yvonne Elliman, who made the U.S. Top 20 (and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart) and the UK Top 30 with her version of "Hello Stranger" in 1977. "Baby I'm Yours" also charted in versions by Jody Miller and Debby Boone (the B-side of her single "God Knows"). In Canada, Suzanne Stevens had a hit in 1975 with a disco version of "Make Me Your Baby". Cover versions of Barbara Lewis' tracks continue into the new millennium with the Arctic Monkeys including a version of "Baby I'm Yours" as a B-side to their 2006 single, "Leave Before The Lights Come On".
In 1995, Lewis' "Baby I'm Yours” was featured on the Bridges of Madison County soundtrack. She was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999.
The backup group on many songs from the album "Hello Stranger" are The Dells who enjoyed some hits of their own.
Ask the Lonely
Barbara Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you feel that need
To make it all alone,
Remember no one is thinking of,
Going alone
Just ask the lonely
Of losing a love, you can never regain
Just ask the lonely
Just ask the lonely
The young and foolish laugh at love (Woo hoo)
So they run away (Woo hoo hoo hoo)
Confident and sure that fate (Woo hoo)
Will bring another love their way
(Ah) But ask the lonely
(Ah) How vainly a heart can yearn,
(Ah) For losing a love that will never return
Just ask the lonely
Just ask the lonely
They'll tell you
Ooh, Woo hoo hoo hoo ooh
(Ah) They'll tell you a story of sadness,
(Ah) A story too hard to believe
Ah, they'll tell you the loneliest one is me
Just ask the lonely
Just ask the lonely
Ask me
I'm the loneliest one you'll see
Just ask the lonely
Barbara Lewis's song "Ask the Lonely" explores the pain and despair that come with loneliness, especially after having lost a love. The repeated phrase "just ask the lonely" implies that loneliness is a universal experience, and the idea of asking them suggests that they have a unique perspective on life, and they can offer wisdom and understanding. Lewis paints a bleak picture of what it's like to be alone, reminding us that even when we hang on to hope, it can be futile, and the pain of the loss can be too great to bear. The young and foolish are portrayed as being overconfident in the idea that love will come their way again, but the lonely know firsthand that love can be fleeting and that it can be impossible to get back what has been lost.
The lyrics also suggest that being lonely is a state of mind, not a condition imposed by the outside world. The issue is not that nobody else wants to be with you, but rather that you are unable to see the love that is around you. Lewis emphasizes this point when she sings about the vanity of the heart, which can lead us to long for something that is not meant to be. She sings about how hard it can be to believe a story of sadness, implying that when we are lonely, we can become so mired in our despair that we lose sight of the possibility of a happy ending. In the end, the song is a warning against taking love for granted and a reminder that no one is immune to loneliness.
Line by Line Meaning
Just ask the lonely
Loneliness is an inevitable part of life that everyone experiences at some point.
When you feel that need
When you feel compelled to be alone or distant from others, consider the consequences.
To make it all alone,
Choosing to isolate yourself can be harmful and unnecessary when there are people who care for you.
Remember no one is thinking of,
Don't assume that you're being forgotten by others, they may just be letting you have some independence.
Going alone
Embarking on your journey by yourself can be difficult, but remember you always have the option to reach out for support.
They know the hurt and pain,
People who have experienced loss understand the feelings of heartbreak and despair associated with it.
Of losing a love, you can never regain
The pain of losing someone you love may never truly go away or be replaced by someone else.
The young and foolish laugh at love (Woo hoo)
Many young people believe they are invincible and impervious to heartbreak; they may not take love seriously until they've experienced its hardships.
So they run away (Woo hoo hoo hoo)
Fearing the potential pain of heartbreak, they may choose to avoid love altogether.
Confident and sure that fate (Woo hoo)
They believe that destiny or some other external force will ensure that they find love eventually.
Will bring another love their way
Even after heartbreak, they believe that there will always be someone else out there for them.
How vainly a heart can yearn,
The heart can long for things that are unattainable or no longer exist, and this can be a source of immense pain and loneliness.
For losing a love that will never return
The feeling of regret and longing for a love that is no longer present can be overwhelming.
They'll tell you a story of sadness,
People who have experienced heartbreak can share their experiences of profound sadness with others to help them feel less alone in their grief.
A story too hard to believe
The emotional toll of heartbreak is often difficult for others to comprehend, as it is hard to fathom such intense feelings.
Ah, they'll tell you the loneliest one is me
No matter how many people you know, heartbreak can make you feel like you are the only one who truly understands your loneliness.
Ask me
The singer empathizes with those who feel lonely and encourages them to share their experiences so that they feel less alone.
I'm the loneliest one you'll see
The singer, like those she is trying to comfort, has experienced the pain of loneliness and can fully relate to their struggles.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John L Friga, Stephen Ray Perry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sunny Island
Beautifully sung.
Oh!
What stunningly majestic song singing.
Barry Quinnell
A truly wonderful song. The original Four Tops version reduces me to tears every time.
Oppothumbs M
Saddest song ever. This version is good but too peppy to make me cry. But her earlier songs can.
Therone Dawson
I agreed with you.
Alan Brett
Thanks for the post, soulwopp (9 years ago!) - but I'm afraid Levi's delivery wins hands down on the Tops version, which is full of the pain of losing someone (forever) and will remain a classic ballad for all time. A standout Stevenson/ Hunter collaboration , it can never be surpassed.
Robert Orr
Beautiful Voice
Michael O'Brien
I remember this song so well from the torch Barbara Lewis, s voice is made for Northern so sweet and magical I remember my bird charging through the cig smoke to dance with me after a row fantastic brilliant brilliant tune
doc2skate
Great song. But don't think any woman with a voice like that will EVER be lonely...
Meeka Johnson
I love your comment. So cute l agree
mary ruggiero
Written by Ivy Hunter for the Four Tops. their version is the ultimate, for sure. and if you like Ivy Hunter, join his group on facebook! he checks in regularly.