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.
Someday We're Gonna Love Again
Barbara Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I made pretend that you had hurt me bad
You ate my heart, I grinned, I held up my chin
Because I knew someday we're gonna love again
Someday we're gonna love again
(scat singing alternating with title)
I didn't know you got it when you left
You wouldn't be gone long, nothing could go wrong
Because I knew someday were' gonna love again
Someday we're gonna love again
(scat singing alternating with title)
You just told me that your love had changed
& that's why I'd love to arrange
To see you again, I don't know when
But I do know someday we're gonna love again
Someday we're gonna love again
(scat singing alternating with title, fading out)
The song "Someday We're Gonna Love Again" by Barbara Lewis is a classic Motown-style tune about love and hope. In the song, Lewis sings about a relationship that has ended, but she is not truly heartbroken because she knows that someday they will reunite and love each other again.
The opening lines convey the theme of the song: "When we broke up, I acted sad / I made pretend that you had hurt me bad." This sets the scene for the rest of the lyrics, as Lewis reveals that she is not as upset about the breakup as she lets on. Rather, she smiles and holds her head up high, knowing that someday they will be together again. The scat singing that follows reinforces this sense of hope and optimism.
In the next verse, Lewis shows even more confidence and self-assurance: "I knew that I could take care of myself / You wouldn't be gone long, nothing could go wrong." Even though her lover has left her, she is not afraid or helpless. She believes in herself and knows that they will eventually be reunited.
The final verse reveals that Lewis's faith in the future is not misplaced: "You just told me that your love had changed / & that's why I'd love to arrange / To see you again, I don't know when / But I do know someday we're gonna love again." Despite her lover's change of heart, she remains optimistic and open to the possibility of their love being rekindled. The scat singing that fades out the song suggests that this hope will continue to carry her through until that day arrives.
Line by Line Meaning
When we broke up, I acted sad
Even though I wasn't really sad, I pretended to be devastated when we broke up.
I made pretend that you had hurt me bad
I acted like you hurt me deeply when really I was just putting on a show.
You ate my heart, I grinned, I held up my chin
You hurt me emotionally, but I didn't let it show. I put on a brave face and stayed positive.
Because I knew someday we're gonna love again
I was confident that we would eventually reconcile and fall in love again.
Someday we're gonna love again (scat singing alternating with title)
This idea is repeated and sung several times to emphasize the message that love will prevail in the end.
I didn't know you got it when you left
I didn't realize how much your departure really affected me.
I knew that I could take care of myself
Despite feeling hurt, I was confident in my ability to cope and take care of myself.
You wouldn't be gone long, nothing could go wrong
I believed that you wouldn't be gone for too long and that everything would work out eventually.
Because I knew someday we're gonna love again
Once again, my unwavering belief in our love's eventual return is reiterated.
You just told me that your love had changed
You recently informed me that your feelings towards me have changed.
& that's why I'd love to arrange
This news is what prompted me to arrange to meet with you again.
To see you again, I don't know when
I'm not sure when we'll meet again, but I'm optimistic that it will happen eventually.
But I do know someday we're gonna love again
Despite the current circumstances, I have faith that our love will be rekindled in the future.
Someday we're gonna love again (scat singing alternating with title, fading out)
The song ends with the repetition of the title, further emphasizing the message that love will ultimately prevail and things will work out between the two of them.
Lyrics © MCMAHAN MUSIC
Written by: SHARON MCMAHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
elvingtonred
Used to have this, great tune, reminds me of Wigan.