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.
Oh How It Hurts
Barbara Mason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To say goodbye, yes, it does
Oh, how it hurts (oh, how it hurts)
For me to cry, that's all right
Because I'd rather leave you now
'Cause it's gonna hurt more after while
Yes, it will (yes, it will)
I know you've found somebody new
Yes, you have
You think you found your dream come true
That's all right
Because I'd rather say it now
'Cause it's gonna hurt more after while
Yes, it will (yes, it will)
After awhile (after while)
I can't take it
We can't make it
No need to feel ashamed
Why try to hide it
You can't deny it
That a new love
Has set your heart aflame
Oh, how it hurts (oh, how it hurts)
For me to be blue, yes, it does
Oh, how it hurts (oh, how it hurts)
To be without you, yes, it does
But I'd rather end it now
'Cause it's gonna hurt more after while
Yes, it will (yes, it will)
After while (after while)
And I'd rather end it now
Before it's too late after while
Barbara Mason's song "Oh How It Hurts" is a poignant tribute to the pain of heartbreak and the necessity of moving on. The singer begins the song by acknowledging how much it hurts to say goodbye, even as she realizes that the pain would only intensify if she lingered. Throughout the song, Mason shows remarkable emotional depth, acknowledging that her lover has moved on to someone else and that it's time for them to go their separate ways.
As the song progresses, Mason becomes more and more resolute in her decision to end the relationship. She acknowledges that a new love has set her lover's heart aflame, but also reminds him that there is no need to feel ashamed of their failed relationship. Ultimately, she concludes that it would be best to end things now before the pain becomes too much to bear.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, how it hurts (oh, how it hurts)
Expressing the emotional pain of saying goodbye.
To say goodbye, yes, it does
Acknowledging that leaving someone is painful.
For me to cry, that's all right
Accepting the tears that come with heartbreak as a natural response.
Because I'd rather leave you now
Choosing to end the relationship now rather than prolonging the pain.
'Cause it's gonna hurt more after while
Realizing that delaying the inevitable will only intensify the pain.
I know you've found somebody new
Acknowledging that the other person has moved on.
You think you found your dream come true
Recognizing that the other person believes they have found something better.
That's all right
Accepting that the other person's happiness is important too.
I can't take it
Admitting that the pain is too much to bear.
We can't make it
Recognizing that the relationship is not sustainable.
No need to feel ashamed
Encouraging the other person not to feel guilty about moving on.
Why try to hide it
Asking why the other person is avoiding the truth.
You can't deny it
Reminding the other person that their new love is evident.
That a new love
Acknowledging that the other person has found someone new.
Has set your heart aflame
Describing the intensity of the other person's new relationship.
For me to be blue, yes, it does
Admitting that being without the other person is painful.
To be without you, yes, it does
Describing the pain of losing the other person.
But I'd rather end it now
Choosing to end the relationship to avoid more pain.
Before it's too late after while
Realizing that if the relationship continues, it will only get worse.
Lyrics © JAMIE MUSIC PUBLISHING CO
Written by: BOOMER MASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind