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.
Pushin' a Good Thing Too Far
Barbara Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been givin' in to you
I'm at the point of no return, I'm burnin'
But it's time you learned a thing or 2
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing too far
Or cheek & every place disgracin' me
Now everybody's talkin' 'bout it
They say I should walk right out on you, they see
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing too far
(Low so feelin' you're mad, come on & kiss me)
Better listen good to what I'm sayin'
No more kissin' till you stop playin' games
(Baby I love you)
If you do, then don't you abuse me
Or you will lose me, ah
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing too far
So keep on pushin', come on, come on come on
Keep on pushin', oh I want you to keep pushin'
Come on
In "Pushin' a Good Thing too Far," Barbara Lewis sings about a relationship that has gone sour. At the beginning of the relationship, Lewis was willing to give in to her partner, but now she has reached her breaking point. Her partner has been pushing her too far and has disrespected her in front of others. The relationship has become a public spectacle, and people are urging Lewis to leave her partner. Despite this, Lewis still loves her partner and wants to make the relationship work, but only if her partner stops playing games and treating her poorly.
The song is a reflection of a tumultuous relationship that many people can relate to. The lyrics describe a situation where one person is taking advantage of another, and the victim is struggling to find the courage to leave. The lines "You're pushin' a good thing too far" and "If you do, then don't you abuse me or you will lose me, ah" emphasize the importance of respecting one's partner in a relationship.
Overall, "Pushin' a Good Thing too Far" is a powerful song that highlights the dangers of an unbalanced relationship. Barbara Lewis sings candidly about the pain and frustration caused by a partner who pushes a good thing too far.
Line by Line Meaning
From the beginnin', you've been winnin'
Since the start of our relationship, you have been receiving what you want, while I have been giving in to you.
I've been givin' in to you
I have been conforming to your needs and desires without questioning or objecting.
I'm at the point of no return, I'm burnin'
I have reached a limit beyond which I cannot continue without hurting myself. I am extremely agitated.
But it's time you learned a thing or 2
You need to understand that there are things that need to change in our relationship.
You're pushin' a good thing
You're ruining a positive situation by abusing it or taking it too far.
You're pushin' a good thing too far
You are coming to a point where you are about to ruin an otherwise good situation.
It's like a slap across my face
Your disrespectful behavior is hurting me deeply.
Or cheek & every place disgracin' me
Your actions are unjust and dishonorable, making me feel ashamed and humiliated in front of others.
Now everybody's talkin' 'bout it
Others are noticing your actions and are discussing them.
They say I should walk right out on you, they see
People are advising me to leave you as they understand the seriousness of the situation.
(Low so feelin' you're mad, come on & kiss me)
Although I sense your anger towards me, I'm trying to divert your attention to something else by suggesting a physical interaction.
Better listen good to what I'm sayin'
You need to pay attention and understand what I'm trying to convey to you.
No more kissin' till you stop playin' games
I'm not going to engage with you physically until you stop manipulating me.
(Baby I love you)
I care about you deeply.
If you do, then don't you abuse me
If you truly love me, you should not mistreat me.
Or you will lose me, ah
Your actions will cause me to leave you behind and move on.
So keep on pushin', come on, come on come on
You are encouraged to continue your behavior in order to discover the consequences of your actions.
Keep on pushin', oh I want you to keep pushin'
You are encouraged to continue your behavior so you can see how your actions are ruining our relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB CREWE, DENNY RANDELL, SANDY LINZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
peter .farias
good one Dave from 1964 or 1965 .......From the beginnin', you've been winnin'
I've been givin' in to you
I'm at the point of no return, I'm burnin'
But it's time you learned a thing or 2
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing too far
It's like a slap across my face
Or cheek & every place disgracin' me
Now everybody's talkin' 'bout it
They say I should walk right out on you, they see
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing too far
(Low so feelin' you're mad, come on & kiss me)
Better listen good to what I'm sayin'
No more kissin' till you stop playin' games
(Baby I love you)
If you do, then don't you abuse me
Or you will lose me, ah
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing too far
So keep on pushin', come on, come on come on
Keep on pushin', oh I want you to keep pushin'
Come on
Michael O'Brien
barbaras voice always makes me feel like a bop it's pure honey so smooth wonderful singer!
Howard Clark
Ye, great for dancing the Carolina bop/Carolina shag.
MrSoulSimon
I'm also from Australia, and Barbara Lewis was and still is one of my favourite soul singers of all time. Little Pattie's version was "Pop"; Barbara's version is soulful and heartfelt.
Christine Gloria
Yes and Pattie was only 16 years old.
Joel Mclean
My grandmother plays this song ever so often she must've had the best life
Sheven718
lovely ! this is barbara lewis at her brilliant best ! her heyday ! what a lovely voice eh ? you know what ? you cant push this far enough ! thank you for posting this ! and thank you barbara lewis ? for everything !
Sheven718
you're in good voice today peter ! nice having you around again
peter .farias
good one Dave from 1964 or 1965 .......From the beginnin', you've been winnin'
I've been givin' in to you
I'm at the point of no return, I'm burnin'
But it's time you learned a thing or 2
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing too far
It's like a slap across my face
Or cheek & every place disgracin' me
Now everybody's talkin' 'bout it
They say I should walk right out on you, they see
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing too far
(Low so feelin' you're mad, come on & kiss me)
Better listen good to what I'm sayin'
No more kissin' till you stop playin' games
(Baby I love you)
If you do, then don't you abuse me
Or you will lose me, ah
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing
You're pushin' a good thing too far
So keep on pushin', come on, come on come on
Keep on pushin', oh I want you to keep pushin'
Come on
Andy Farrugia
what a voice.
Rita Rocha
Just love this song!