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.
You're Gonna Need Me
Barbara Lynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About you and your new girl
You're flying high now, Jack
And you're seeing the world
But you're gonna need me
You're gonna need me, daddy
And it won't be long
No, it won't be long
You're telling everybody
Walking papers coming through
But I don't know anything about that
Seems like only you
But you're gonna need me
You're gonna need me, daddy
And it won't be long
When she leaves you
And says goodbye
Don't come back to me
With tears in your eyes
You had a good thing once
And you done me wrong
But I warned you, yes, I did
That it won't be long, no, no
So you've got your girl
Walking papers too
It's all cleared up
Our marriage is through
But you're gonna need me
You're gonna need me, daddy
And it won't be long
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You're gonna need me, daddy
And it won't be long
I knew you'd be right on back
You're gonna need me, daddy
And it won't be long
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You're gonna need me, daddy
And it won't be long
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You're gonna need me, daddyb
In Barbara Lynn's song "You're Gonna Need Me," the singer is addressing her former lover who has moved on with a new woman. She points out that despite his new relationship, he will eventually need her again. The whole town is talking about his new girl and how he's seeing the world, but the singer knows that it won't last. When she leaves him, the singer warns that he shouldn't come back to her with tears in his eyes because he had his chance and he treated her poorly. The singer also mentions that she doesn't know anything about any "walking papers" that he may be preparing despite his claims that they are coming through. She is calm and sure of herself, knowing that he will eventually come back to her.
The song employs a call-and-response format with a catchy refrain that emphasizes the singer's confidence in her prediction that he will need her again. It's a powerful song, conveying a sense of self-assurance and a message of warning that he shouldn't take her for granted. The theme of the song is one that has been explored in many other classic soul and R&B tracks, and it speaks to the complex power dynamics at play in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
The whole town's talking
Everyone in town is talking about your new relationship.
About you and your new girl
Specifically, they are talking about you and your new girlfriend.
You're flying high now, Jack
You are very happy and successful now, Jack.
And you're seeing the world
You have many new experiences and opportunities now.
But you're gonna need me
However, you will eventually need me.
You're gonna need me, daddy
I am addressing you specifically as 'daddy' and emphasizing that you will need me.
And it won't be long
It will happen soon.
You're telling everybody
You are telling everyone that you are leaving.
Walking papers coming through
You are getting ready to sign divorce papers.
But I don't know anything about that
However, I don't have any information about the process you are going through.
Seems like only you
It appears that you are the only one who knows about this.
When she leaves you
When your girlfriend leaves you.
And says goodbye
And ends the relationship.
Don't come back to me
Don't try to come back to me.
With tears in your eyes
Especially not crying and showing weakness.
You had a good thing once
We had a good relationship once.
And you done me wrong
But you hurt me and did wrong by me.
But I warned you, yes, I did
I warned you about this happening.
That it won't be long, no, no
I knew it would not be long before this happened.
So you've got your girl
You have your new girlfriend.
Walking papers too
However, she is preparing to sign divorce papers too.
It's all cleared up
It appears that things are resolved between us.
Our marriage is through
However, our marriage is over now.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Repeating the same phrase for emphasis.
I knew you'd be right on back
I knew you would eventually want to come back to me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDDIE HOLLAND, RICHARD WAYNE WYLIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tony shumway
Titus
Chapter 3
1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
13Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. (It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.)
tony shumway
Titus
Chapter 2
1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
tony shumway
Titus
Chapter 1
1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Joann Anderson
Wow that voice her song was the bomb and still is no matter how long it's been Barbara Lynn her hits will be remembered forever
Danielle Charney
so great- authentic- the voice- the singing- the incredible guitar work - the band- the arrangements but the sheer genius of her
Patricia Pierre
This is a number one tune. Nice in every way. It is nice to dance to, nice to listen to. It is a song that blows the mind and leaves one speechless not knowing whether to go or come. It mesmerizes. I could go on and on listening to and playing it beyond boundaries . Oh, what a song.
sugademus
Thanks Patricia RealTalk!=TrueStories!! No.1 TUNE!!!1<3
Patricia Pierre
I feel great. Thank you for your appreciation. This will make me want to continue contributing.. Peace and Love.
Geraldine Flowers
This music back in the day had a message and meant something.
Just listen and you can relate to the lyrics, sometimes our relationships fit right in with the songs
B. Hall
This is the real thing. Gorgeous voice.
HVAC MAC
I love her voice. 2022 and she is still be listened to! Much love girl your an amazing singer!
Jim Blackhawkwings Walker
I, love this song as Barbara Lynn sing with such deep emotion, heart touching and just drive me crazy. Gee, I just love her signing!
Richard L.
I love her singing as well as her signing.