Barbara Lynn (January 16, 1942) is an American rhythm and blues singer, gui… Read Full Bio ↴Barbara Lynn (January 16, 1942) is an American rhythm and blues singer, guitarist and songwriter. She is best known for her R&B chart-topping hit, "You'll Lose A Good Thing" (1962).

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 Left the Water Running
Barbara Lynn Lyrics

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You left the water running when you left me here behind
You left the water running, running from these eyes of mine

You turned out the light of love
You left with another guy
You turned off all your love for me
But you forgot to turn off the cry
You forgot to turn off the cry

You pulled the shades away down low
And disconnected the telephone
But these tears a running from my eyes
I can't turn them off and on
No, I can't turn them off and on

You left the water running when you left me here behind
You left the water running, running from these eyes of mine

You locked the door and left me outside
And then you threw the key away
But baby, you'll regret, baby you'll be upset
When you get your water bill to pay
When you get your water bill to pay

You left the water running when you left me here behind
You left the water running, running from these eyes of mine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Barbara Lynn's song "You Left the Water Running" paint a picture of a woman who has been left by her lover. The imagery of the running water is a metaphor for the emotions that are still flowing from her eyes. The water represents the tears that keep coming and the pain of heartbreak that she can't seem to turn off. The song has a soulful, bluesy sound that perfectly captures the melancholic mood of the lyrics.

The first verse sets the tone for the song, with the singer lamenting that her lover left the water running when he departed. This is a small detail that seems insignificant but becomes symbolic of the emotional chaos that is left behind after a relationship ends. The second verse highlights the fact that the singer's lover has moved on with someone else, leaving her heartbroken and alone. The cry that he forgot to turn off is a poignant detail that suggests that perhaps he feels some remorse for the pain he has caused.

The third verse touches on the physical manifestation of the singer's pain. Even though her lover has disconnected the phone and closed the curtains, she can't help but cry. The tears are a constant reminder of the loss she has suffered. The final verse is a moment of righteous anger as the singer imagines her lover being hit with a massive water bill for leaving the water running. It's a satisfying image of poetic justice that suggests that even though the singer has been hurt, she will ultimately come out on top.

Line by Line Meaning

You left the water running when you left me here behind
You left the tap running when you left me alone.

You left the water running, running from these eyes of mine
You left the tap running to keep me out of your mind and sight.

You turned out the light of love
You stopped loving me.

You left with another guy
You left me for someone else.

You turned off all your love for me
You stopped loving me altogether.

But you forgot to turn off the cry
You left me crying and upset.

You forgot to turn off the cry
You left me in tears although you had no intention to do so.

You pulled the shades away down low
You closed the window blinds to keep me from seeing inside.

And disconnected the telephone
You cut off communication with me.

But these tears a running from my eyes
I'm crying uncontrollably.

I can't turn them off and on
I can't stop crying when I want to.