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.
I’m A Good Woman
Barbara Lynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I know I said I know
You got another woman somewhere around
Hey I′m good woman
I'm a good woman
Such a good woman
So don′t treat me like dirt
I don't go nowhere
You don't take me out
If I put on a nice dress baby
You wanna start a fight
Even my next door neighbors
Know that it′s a shame by men
They′re around talking
Even my so called friends
Now I know what I'm gonna do
I′m gonna move
Away from here
And pretend that I have happiness
Yes I know what I'm gonna do
I′m gonna leave you
Gonna leave you
Gonna leave you
A change gonna come
A change gonna come baby
And I don't mean maybe
Gonna leave you
Cause I′m a good woman
No, no, no
I'm good woman
I'm good woman
The lyrics to "I'm A Good Woman" by Barbara Lynn speak to the frustration and mistreatment that the singer, who identifies as a good woman, feels in her relationship. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that her partner frequently leaves home for extended periods, and it is evident to her that he has another woman in his life. Despite this knowledge, she asserts her worth as a good woman, asking not to be treated poorly.
The next verse highlights the singer's dissatisfaction with her current situation. She expresses her disappointment that her partner does not take her anywhere and becomes confrontational when she tries to dress nicely. Even her neighbors and friends notice the disrespect she endures from men. But now, she has made up her mind. She plans to move away, seeking a fresh start and pretending to have happiness, indicating that she will not tolerate being treated poorly any longer.
The chorus reinforces the singer's claim of being a good woman and emphasizes her determination to leave her partner. She asserts herself, stating that she will indeed leave, and a change will come, leaving no room for doubt. The song ultimately affirms the singer's strength and self-respect as she declares her intention to walk away from a relationship that does not value her.
Line by Line Meaning
You leave your home for days and days
You abandon your responsibilities and disappear for extended periods of time
And I know I said I know
I may have acknowledged this behavior before, but it doesn't mean I accept or condone it
You got another woman somewhere around
You have another woman in your life, and I am aware of her presence
Hey I'm good woman
I am a woman of quality and worth
I'm a good woman
I possess the qualities and attributes of a good woman
Such a good woman
I am genuinely an exceptional woman
So don't treat me like dirt
Do not mistreat or disrespect me
I don't go nowhere
I do not go out or leave the house without you
You don't take me out
You never take me on outings or dates
If I put on a nice dress baby
Even if I make an effort to look good for you
You wanna start a fight
You instigate arguments or conflicts instead of appreciating my efforts
Even my next door neighbors
The people living nearest to us
Know that it's a shame by men
They are aware and disapproving of how poorly you treat me
They're around talking
They discuss and gossip about our relationship
Even my so-called friends
Even the people I consider my friends
Now I know what I'm gonna do
I have made a decision about my future actions
I'm gonna move
I am going to relocate
Away from here
To a different place, far from our current location
And pretend that I have happiness
I will pretend and project an image of being content and fulfilled
Yes I know what I'm gonna do
I am confident and determined in my course of action
I'm gonna leave you
I am going to end our relationship and walk away from you
Gonna leave you
I am going to heed my decision to depart from your life
Gonna leave you
I am resolved to separate myself from you
A change gonna come
A significant transformation will occur
A change gonna come baby
This change is inevitable and imminent, my dear
And I don't mean maybe
I am absolutely certain and resolute
Gonna leave you
I am fully committed to leaving you
Cause I'm a good woman
Because I deserve better treatment and respect as a woman
No, no, no
I emphatically reject and refuse to accept the current circumstances
I'm a good woman
I possess the qualities and attributes of a good woman
I'm a good woman
I am genuinely an exceptional woman
Writer(s): B.l. Ozen
Contributed by Violet N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rlhemming
This is brilliant. So tight and funky. What a fantastically talented lady, who was one of the early forces in 60's soul.
@danavixen6274
Such a talent! Penetrating voice with in depth lyricism. Thank you Barbara Lynn! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🎶🎵🎶🎵
@paulmorson7402
THIS is SOUL MUSIC
@sereneamani1713
I remember as a teenaged DJ for my parents' get-together and playing this. My parents and their guests had never heard it and they went crazy. (I always bought new good records when they came out. 59 cent specials for 45's LOL)
@davidp3802
https://youtu.be/vxbd0b3-BT4
@mygigi43
She definitely deserved to be recognized more!
@dlanodrelda
Saw her live at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ a couple of years ago. Still has it-great singing and left-handed guitar playing!
@udontgnomiebeee
love the lyrics, what a good woman and an amazing voice!
@ondinaprod
I can't get tired to hear it!! <3
@afrosoulstylist
Just superb.