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.
Puppy Love
Barbara Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, I guess they'll never know
How a young heart really feels
And why I love her so
And they called it puppy love
Just because we're in our teens
Tell them all it isn't fair
I cry each night my tears for you
My tears are all in vain
I'll hope and I'll pray that maybe someday
You'll be back in my arms once again
Someone, help me, help me, help me please
Is the answer up above
How can I, how can I tell them
This is not a puppy love
The song Puppy Love by Barbara Lewis is about young love and the frustrations that come with being a teenager in love. The repetitive and catchy chorus, "And they called it puppy love," emphasizes the dismissive nature of adults towards teenage relationships. The lyrics express the singer's sadness over not being taken seriously and how their emotions are invalidated simply because of their youth. Despite being labeled as "puppy love," the singer feels deeply for their partner and cannot escape the pain of separation. The line "My tears are all in vain" highlights the powerlessness of teenagers in a society that values age and experience over youth and innocence.
The singer begs for help and guidance from a higher power to explain the intensity of their feelings. In this sense, the song is not just about teenage love but also a commentary on societal expectations and the struggle to be taken seriously. The song ends with the question, "How can I tell them this is not a puppy love?" which is left unanswered, indicating that the singer does not know how to make their love real to others.
Line by Line Meaning
And they called it puppy love
The feeling of young love is being diminished by people calling it mere puppy love.
Oh, I guess they'll never know
It seems like no one else can truly relate to the intensity of young love.
How a young heart really feels
Young lovers feel strongly and deeply but may not be taken seriously by those around them.
And why I love her so
Even though young love may not be fully understood, the singer is sure of her love for her partner.
Just because we're in our teens
The reason people call it puppy love is because the lovers are young teenagers.
Tell them all it isn't fair
The singer wants others to know that it's not right to judge her love as trivial just because of her age.
To take away my only dream
Her love for her partner is the most important thing to her, and people calling it puppy love is undermining her dream and hopes.
I cry each night my tears for you
The singer is heartbroken and crying every night thinking about her partner.
My tears are all in vain
Her crying is not bringing her any closer to reuniting with her partner.
I'll hope and I'll pray that maybe someday
Despite the challenges, she holds on to the hope that she might be with her partner again someday.
You'll be back in my arms once again
She longs to be reunited with her partner in a loving embrace.
Someone, help me, help me, help me please
The singer is calling out for help and support during this difficult time.
Is the answer up above
She wonders if there is a divine solution to the pain she is feeling.
How can I, how can I tell them
She is struggling with how to communicate the reality of her love to others.
This is not a puppy love
Ultimately, the singer wants others to know that this is not a temporary or shallow love just because she is young.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Barbara Ann Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Belvin Sweat
Remember this back in the day. My sister Dianne used to pantomime to it. What a treat to watch her.
Rene LeClerc
Barbara wrote it herself? Donny Osmond should have tried this one.
Clyde P
Nothing like Paul Ankas 1960 hit. I remember both.