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.
When I Fall in Love
Barbara Mason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It will be forever and ever and ever
For I'll never fall in love
In a restless world like this is
Love has ended before it's begun
And a million moonlight kisses
Seem too cool in the warmth of the sun
And oh, when I give my heart and only give it to somebody
For I'll never, never give my heart, no no
In the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Cause when I fall in love
When I fall in love
When I fall in love with you
Somebody, somebody, somebody just ought to let me love em one time
Cause I needed to be loved and held and kissed in the night, baby
Somebody ought to reach out for me
This old restless world, baby, that we live in
Oh, love has ended before it's begun
When I give my heart, only gonna give it to one, one somebody yessir
Better believe it, yeah
In the moment that I feel that you feel that you want me
Oh, let me know, baby yeah
Cause when I fall in love
It's gonna be with you
Barbara Mason's soulful and passionate song "When I Fall In Love" chronicles the deep longing and yearning for a love that will stand the test of time. The singer is skeptical of love in a restless world where relationships fizzle out before they even begin. Love seems like a fickle and fleeting emotion, and even moonlight kisses pale in comparison to the harsh light of day. However, when love does come, the singer promises to give their heart completely and only to one person. They long for somebody to love, hold and kiss them in the night, and for someone to reach out to them, in this old and restless world.
The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and intensity, with the singer's desire for genuine love and commitment shining through. There is a sense of cautious optimism and desperation, an acknowledgment that love is not easy but is worth taking a risk for. The repeated refrain of "when I fall in love" becomes a mantra of sorts, a declaration of faith in the possibility of love and the belief that when it finally comes, it will be with the right person.
Interesting Facts:
Line by Line Meaning
When I fall in love
I am waiting for true love that will last forever.
It will be forever and ever and ever
The love that I will find will not be temporary, but forever.
For I'll never fall in love
I haven't found the right person to fall in love with yet.
In a restless world like this is
The world we live in is chaotic and uncertain.
Love has ended before it's begun
Many relationships fail before they even start because of the unstable nature of our world.
And a million moonlight kisses
Even the most romantic gestures might not be enough to sustain love in this world.
Seem too cool in the warmth of the sun
Love can seem insignificant and foolish compared to the harsh realities of life.
And oh, when I give my heart and only give it to somebody
When I find the right person, I will give them my whole heart and soul.
It's gonna be so completely
My love will be unconditional and all-encompassing.
For I'll never, never give my heart, no no
I won't give my heart to just anyone, it has to be someone special.
In the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
When I sense that someone feels the same way about me, it will be a magical moment.
Cause when I fall in love
Falling in love will be a life-changing moment for me.
When I fall in love with you
You are the one that I want to spend the rest of my life with.
Somebody, somebody, somebody just ought to let me love em one time
I am looking for someone who will let me love them completely and fully.
Cause I needed to be loved and held and kissed in the night, baby
I am searching for someone who will fulfill all of my emotional and physical needs.
Somebody ought to reach out for me
I am hoping that someone will take the initiative and make the first move in our relationship.
This old restless world, baby, that we live in
Life can be tough and unpredictable, and love can be elusive.
When I give my heart, only gonna give it to one, one somebody yessir
I will only give my heart to one special person, not just anyone.
Better believe it, yeah
I am serious about finding true love and will not settle for anything less.
In the moment that I feel that you feel that you want me
When I sense that someone truly wants me, it will be a special moment for me.
Oh, let me know, baby yeah
I want my significant other to communicate their feelings and intentions to me clearly.
Cause when I fall in love
Falling in love will be an intense and transformative experience for me.
It's gonna be with you
I am confident that the person I fall in love with will be you.
Contributed by Alexandra O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.