Mason initially focused on songwriting when she entered the music industry in her teens. As a performer, though, she had a major hit single with her third release in 1965, "Yes, I'm Ready" (#5 pop, #2 R&B). She had modest success throughout the rest of the decade on the small Arctic label, run by her manager, top Philadelphia disc-jockey, Jimmy Bishop. She reached the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 again in 1965 with "Sad, Sad Girl", and "Oh How It Hurts" in 1967. A two-year stay with National General Records, run by a film production company, produced one album and four singles which failed to find success.[citation needed]
In the 1970s, Mason signed to Buddah Records and toughened her persona, singing about sexual love and infidelity with an uncommon frankness at the time in songs like "Bed and Board", "From His Woman to You", and "Shackin' Up" and would interrupt her singing to deliver straight-talking 'raps' about romance. She also continued to write some of her new material. Curtis Mayfield produced her on a cover version of Mayfield's own "Give Me Your Love", which restored her to the pop Top 40 and R&B Top Ten in 1973; "From His Woman to You" (the response to Shirley Brown's single "Woman to Woman") and "Shackin' Up", produced by former Stax producer Don Davis in Detroit were also solid soul sellers in the mid-1970s.
Mason also sang vocals on the tracks "Sheba Baby," "I'm In Love With You," "A Good Man Is Gone," and "She Did It" on the soundtrack for the 1975 Pam Grier film, Sheba, Baby.[2]
After leaving Buddah Records in 1975 after two top ten R&B hits, she only dented the charts periodically on small labels. They included "I Am Your Woman, She Is Your Wife", which was produced in 1978 by Weldon McDougal who had produced her first major success, "Yes I'm Ready", and later in 1984, "Another Man" on West End Records.
Mason started to concentrate on running her own publishing company in the late 1980s, but continues to perform occasionally. She released a new CD, Feeling Blue, in September 2007. Mason was still performing to sold-out audiences in 2016. Her most recent show was at the Terrance Theater in Long Beach, California. Mason was inducted into the Soul Music Hall of Fame on March 1, 2016.
If This World Were Mine
Barbara Mason Lyrics
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All that I own; you've been so good to me
If this world were mine
I'd give you the flowers, the birds and the bees
For with your love inside me, that would be all I need
If this world were mine
I'd give you anything
With wealth untold, you could have anything
If this world were mine
I'd give you each day so sunny and blue
If you wanted the moonlight, I'd give you that too
If this world were mine
I'd give you anything
Oh baby, you're my consolation
And there's no hesitation
When you want me, honey, just call me
And honey, you're my inspiration
I feel so much sensation
When I'm in your arms, when you squeeze me
And the sky would be blue
As long as you're lovin' me
With you here in my arms
Life is so wonderful
Give me pretty lovin', baby
Give me pretty lovin', honey
Keep on lovin' me
You know I need you, baby
Really, really need you, baby
Barbara Mason's "If This World Were Mine" is a love song in which the singer declares what she would do if the world was hers. In the first verse, she explains that if the world was hers, she would give everything to her lover who has been so good to her. She would give him flowers, the birds, the bees, and anything he desires. She believes that with his love inside her, she would have everything that she needs.
In the second verse, the singer declares that if the world was hers, she would make her lover a king. She would give him wealth untold and make sure that every day is sunny and blue for him. She would give him everything, including the moonlight. The chorus is repeated twice to signify the magnitude of her love for him.
The song is a beautiful expression of the intensity and depth of the singer's love for her lover. It demonstrates the singer's devotion and the level of commitment she is willing to make. The lyrics also express the indescribable feeling of love and how it makes life so much more wonderful.
Line by Line Meaning
If this world were mine, I'd place at your feet
If I had the power, I would ensure that everything in this world is at your disposal
All that I own; you've been so good to me
I'll give you everything that I have because you have always been kind to me
If this world were mine
If I was the ruler of the world
I'd give you the flowers, the birds and the bees
I would give you everything natural that is beautiful and enjoyable
For with your love inside me, that would be all I need
Your love alone is enough for me to be content and happy with life
If this world were mine
If I was the ruler of the world
I'd give you anything
Nothing in this world would be too much for me to give to you
If this world were mine, I'd make you a king
I would make you the most powerful person in the world
With wealth untold, you could have anything
You would have limitless access to any material possession that you desire
I'd give you each day so sunny and blue
I'll ensure that every day of your life is perfect
If you wanted the moonlight, I'd give you that too
Even if the request was impossible or unrealistic, I would still try to make it happen for you
Oh baby, you're my consolation
You are the person who comforts and soothes me
And there's no hesitation
I will always be there for you without any delay or second thought
When you want me, honey, just call me
I'll be at your service as soon as you need me
And honey, you're my inspiration
You are the source of my ideas, creativity, and enthusiasm
I feel so much sensation
I am overwhelmed with emotions and sensations when I am with you
When I'm in your arms, when you squeeze me
I feel immeasurable joy and comfort when I am held tightly by you
And the sky would be blue
Everything is perfect and beautiful when you love me
As long as you're lovin' me
I am content and happy as long as you love me
With you here in my arms
I feel complete and safe when I hold you close
Life is so wonderful
Everything becomes blissful and perfect when you are with me
Give me pretty lovin', baby
Please show me your love and affection, my dear
Give me pretty lovin', honey
Please show me your love and affection, my dear
Keep on lovin' me
Please continue to love me as much as you do
You know I need you, baby
You are aware of how much I depend and rely on you, my dear
Really, really need you, baby
I need you profoundly and completely, my dear
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind