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.
Money
Barbara Lynn Lyrics
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But you can keep them for the birds and bees
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
You're lovin' gives me a thrill
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want, wah
Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
Well now give me money
A lot of money
Wow, yeah, I wanna be free
Oh I want money
That's what I want
That's what I want, well
Now give me money
A lot of money
Wow, yeah, you need money
Now, give me money
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
Barbara Lynn's song "Money" is a commentary on the idea that while the best things in life may be free, they don't pay the bills. Lynn is expressing her desire for financial stability and the power that comes with being able to afford the life she wants. The repetition of the phrase "that's what I want" emphasizes her insistence on this point. She acknowledges that money may not be able to buy everything, but for her, it is still the key to freedom and a better life.
The contrast between the free things in life and money highlights the struggle that many people face when trying to balance their desires with their financial situation. Love may be important, but it doesn't pay the bills. The repetition of the phrase "money don't get everything it's true" further emphasizes the idea that money is not the answer to all problems, but it is certainly a necessary component of life.
Line by Line Meaning
The best things in life are free
Although the best things in life may come for free, they are useless and unimportant to me.
But you can keep them for the birds and bees
You can keep the things that come for free because they have no value to me.
Now give me money
I want money from you, that's what I desire at this moment.
That's what I want
Money is exactly what I had in mind, not anything else.
You're lovin' gives me a thrill
I enjoy the love and affection you give me.
But you're lovin' don't pay my bills
However, love and affection do not cover my financial expenses.
Money don't get everything it's true
Money isn't the solution to every problem in life.
What it don't get, I can't use
Anything that money can't buy is not valuable to me, and I am not interested in it.
Wah
An expression of enthusiasm regarding gaining money.
Well now give me money
Again, I request that you give me money to fulfill my needs and desires.
A lot of money
Not just some small change, but a significant amount of money that can provide for my needs.
Wow, yeah, I wanna be free
Money is what I want in abundance, so I can enjoy the freedom and independence that comes with it.
Oh I want money
Once again, I express my desire for money, and it's a priority.
Wow, yeah, you need money
You also need money, just like I do, so it's essential to fulfill this requirement.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Unison Rights S.L., Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, CTM Publishing
Written by: Janie Bradford, Berry Gordy Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind