Barbara Mason (born August 9, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an Am… Read Full Bio ↴Barbara Mason (born August 9, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American soul[1] singer with several R&B and pop hits in the 1960s and 1970s, best known for her self-written 1965 hit song "Yes, I'm Ready".

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.

Let Me In Your Life
Barbara Mason Lyrics

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To be young, gifted and black,
Oh what a lovely precious dream
To be young, gifted and black,
Open your heart to what I mean

In the whole world you know
There are billion boys and girls
Who are young, gifted and black,

And that's a fact!

Young, gifted and black
We must begin to tell our young
There's a world waiting for you
This is a quest that's just begun

When you feel really low
Yeah, there's a great truth you should know
When you're young, gifted and black
Your soul's intact

Young, gifted and black
How I long to know the truth
There are times when I look back
And I am haunted by my youth

Oh but my joy of today
Is that we can all be proud to say

To be young, gifted and black
Is where it's at

Overall Meaning

The classic song "Let Me in Your Life" by Barbara Mason highlights the dream of being young, gifted and black. The lyrics assert that being young, gifted and black is a precious dream that should be cherished. In the song, Mason sings about the fact that there are billions of young boys and girls who are young, gifted and black in the world. She encourages young people to open their hearts up and embrace what they have to offer. This is a message that Mason feels must be shared with the younger generation.

Mason goes on to tell young people that there is a world waiting for them and that they must begin to tell their young ones about it. She encourages them to embark on a quest that has just begun. When they feel low, they should remember that their soul is intact, especially if they are young, gifted and black. Mason longs to know the truth about being young, gifted and black. She is haunted by her youth but feels joy knowing that being young, gifted and black is where it's at.

The song has a powerful message that transcends generations. It is a call to action for young, gifted and black individuals to embrace their talents and gifts and make a difference in the world. It is a reminder that being young, gifted and black is a fact that should be celebrated.

Line by Line Meaning

To be young, gifted and black,
Having the opportunity to be young, talented and black is a beautiful and valuable dream.

Oh what a lovely precious dream
Being gifted and black is a unique and precious experience that should be treasured and valued.

To be young, gifted and black,
Being black and talented is something that should be embraced and celebrated.

Open your heart to what I mean
Try to understand and appreciate the importance of being young, talented and black.

In the whole world you know
Throughout the entire world, there are countless boys and girls who are young, talented and black.

There are billion boys and girls
There are countless young, talented and black individuals all around the world.

Who are young, gifted and black,
Being young, talented and black is a common and widespread experience.

And that's a fact!
There is no denying the reality of how many young, talented and black individuals there are in the world.

We must begin to tell our young
We have a responsibility to inform and inspire the younger generation of those who are young, gifted and black.

There's a world waiting for you
There is a whole world that is eagerly anticipating and welcoming young, talented and black individuals.

This is a quest that's just begun
This is an ongoing journey with endless possibilities for young, talented and black individuals to explore and achieve.

When you feel really low
During moments of sadness or despair,

Yeah, there's a great truth you should know
It is important to remember the following truth,

When you're young, gifted and black
That being young, talented and black is a powerful and significant experience that cannot be diminished.

Your soul's intact
Your inner spirit and character are strong and whole, even during difficult times.

How I long to know the truth
The desire to uncover and embrace the truth is strong.

There are times when I look back
Reflecting on past experiences can bring about feelings of nostalgia.

And I am haunted by my youth
Memories of youth can linger and have a lasting impact.

Oh but my joy of today
Despite the hardships of the past, there is happiness and joy in the present moment.

Is that we can all be proud to say
It is a wonderful feeling to be able to express pride and satisfaction.

To be young, gifted and black
Because being young, talented and black is truly where it's at.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WELDON IRVINE, NINA SIMONE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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