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.
Is It Me
Barbara Mason Lyrics
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Tell me which one do you prefer
I love you (you know that it's you)
You know I do (baby, I love you)
I'm gonna ask you one more time
(Who do you choose)
Are you hers or are you mine
Is it me (who do you choose)
Is it her, Is it me, is it her
Is it me, is it her
Which one, baby, do you prefer
(It's you, baby)
Do you want her rather than me
(You know that it's you, baby)
I need to know how it's gonna be
(Baby, I love you)
You don't even know, my baby
(Who do you choose)
Which way your love will go
I'm a better woman than she
(Who do you choose)
If you don't believe it
Come try me
I'll love you in a way
(You know that it's you, baby)
You'll never forget (I love you)
I won't do anything to my baby
You'll regret
All the things I've said are true
(Who do you choose)
But the choice is up to you
(Who do you choose)
Is it me (who do you choose)
Is it her, is it me, is it her
Is it me, is it her
Which one, baby, do you prefer
I've gotta know, baby
Is it me or her
Which one, baby, is it gonna be
I've gotta know, baby
Is it her or me
Is it her or is it me
The song "Is It Me" by Barbara Mason is a love song that explores the insecurities and doubts of the singer in a relationship. Throughout the song, the singer questions her lover's loyalty and asks him to choose between her and another woman. She repeatedly asks, "Is it me or is it her?" and wonders which one he prefers. Despite her insecurities, she professes her love for him and emphasizes that she will love him in a way he'll never forget. The song ends with the singer pleading with him to make a choice between her and the other woman.
The lyrics of the song showcase the vulnerability and emotional turmoil that can come with loving someone. The singer is unsure of her lover's feelings and fears that he might choose the other woman over her. She needs reassurance and validation that he loves her and only her. This song is relatable for anyone who has experienced an intense and passionate love affair and has struggled with the uncertainties of the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it me or is it her
Is there something wrong with me, or is it that you prefer her?
Tell me which one do you prefer
Can you clarify which one you want, because I don't want to lose you?
I love you (you know that it's you)
You are the one I love, and it's always going to be you, you should know this by now
You know I do (baby, I love you)
My love for you is deep and sincere, and you are my baby
I'm gonna ask you one more time
I already asked you this question, but I need to clarify, just one more time
(Who do you choose)
Which one of us do you want, me or her?
Are you hers or are you mine
Are you in love with her, or do you belong to me?
Is it her, Is it me, is it her
I need to know which one, so I can be sure of your love
Which one, baby, do you prefer
I need you to choose me, because I can't live without you
(It's you, baby)
I want it to be you, and only you, always
Do you want her rather than me
Is she better than me in some way, do you want her instead?
I need to know how it's gonna be
Please tell me what you want, so I can prepare myself for the future
You don't even know, my baby
You may not realize how deeply I love you, my sweetie
Which way your love will go
Your love has to decide whether it belongs to me or her
I'm a better woman than she
I know that I'm a better match for you than she is
If you don't believe it
If you disagree with me, or think I'm not good enough, well
Come try me
You should see for yourself, then decide which one is the best for you
I'll love you in a way
My love for you is rare and beautiful, and you'll never forget it
You'll never forget (I love you)
I'm so in love with you that you will never forget it
I won't do anything to my baby
I will never hurt you or harm you, my dear
You'll regret
If you leave me, you'll regret it
All the things I've said are true
Everything I've said so far is the truth
But the choice is up to you
You need to decide which one you want, it's up to you
(Who do you choose)
Tell me, who do you want to be with?
Is it her or is it me
Is your love somehow leaning towards her, or towards me?
Contributed by Bella R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.