Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, McNair studied music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. Her big break came with a win on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, which led to bookings at The Purple Onion and the Cocoanut Grove.
She soon became one of the country's most popular headliners and a guest on such television variety shows as The Steve Allen Show, Hullabaloo, The Bell Telephone Hour, and The Hollywood Palace, while recording for the Coral, Signature, and Motown labels. Among her hits were You're Gonna Love My Baby and Bobby. In the early 60s, Barbara made several musical shorts for Scopitone, a franchise of coin-operated machines that showed what were then the forerunners of today's music videos.
McNair's acting career began on television, guesting on series such as Dr. Kildare, I Spy, Mission: Impossible, Hogan's Heroes and McMillan and Wife. She caught the attention of the movie-going public with her much-publicized nude sequences in the gritty crime drama If He Hollers Let Him Go (1968) opposite Raymond St. Jacques, then donned a nun's habit alongside Mary Tyler Moore for Change of Habit (1969), Elvis Presley's last feature film. She portrayed Sidney Poitier's wife in They Call Me MISTER Tibbs! (1970) and its sequel, The Organization (1971).
McNair's Broadway credits include The Body Beautiful (1958), No Strings (1962), and a revival of The Pajama Game (1973).
McNair was one of the very first African-American entertainers to host her own primetime television variety series, but it lasted only from 1969-71, despite the wattage provided by A-list guests like Tony Bennett and Sonny and Cher. She & her third husband Rick Manzi were arrested for heroin possesion in 1972, and even after she was cleared of the charge, career offers began to dwindle . In 1976, her husband, Rick Manzi, was murdered, and Mafia boss-turned-FBI-informant Jimmy "The Weasel" Frattiano later claimed in his book The Last Mafioso that Manzi had been a Mafia associate who tried to put a contract on the life of a mob-associated tax attorney with whom he had a legal dispute. The ensuing publicity did little to help McNair's floundering career.
Her recordings include Livin' End, I Enjoy Being a Girl, and The Ultimate Motown Collection, a 2-CD set with 48 tracks that include her two albums for the label plus a non-album single and B-side and an entire LP that never was released.
Into her seventies, McNair resided in the Los Angeles area, playing tennis and skiing to keep in shape on a regular basis and touring on occasion. She died at age 72 on February 4, 2007 after developing a skull based tumor that was originally overlooked. By the time it was diagnosed it was inoperable.
You're Gonna Love My Baby
Barbara McNair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're already packed and ready to go
I hope she's worth it, after all we've been through
You're breakin' my heart but I have to be strong
So go right ahead, I'll get along
Just one thing, you better know it's true
You're gonna miss a whole lotta love
You're gonna wish you had me back
You're gonna miss a whole lotta love
Will she hold you close like I used to do
And think that look in your eyes is true?
Does she believe those words you used to say to me?
Do you even know how it makes me feel
To watch you throw away the dreams we built?
Well, I hope she's everything you ever need
'Cause you're gonna miss a whole lotta love
You're gonna wish you had me back
Late at night, when you're starin' at the stars above
You're gonna miss a whole lotta love
You're gonna miss a whole lotta love
There's no use wastin' words anymore
I know it's over, what are you waitin' for?
Just remember
You're gonna miss a whole lotta love
You're gonna wish you had me back
When you're lying there, starin' at the stars above
You're gonna miss a whole lotta love
You're gonna miss a whole lotta love
Barbara McNair's song "You're Gonna Love My Baby" is about a relationship that is coming to an end. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been hurt by their partner's decision to leave them for someone else. The song starts with the singer questioning who started this situation, indicating confusion and lack of understanding from their side. They then express their disappointment by mentioning how the partner is already packed and ready to go, showing how little time they have invested in the relationship. The singer then wonders if the new person is worth the pain and heartbreak they are causing.
The second verse is even more poignant, with the singer questioning whether the new person will give their partner the same kind of love and affection they once enjoyed. They wonder if the new person will hold the partner close the way they used to, and if they believe the same words that were once said to the singer. The singer expresses that they hope the new person is worth it, but also acknowledges that their partner's actions have hurt them deeply. The chorus then repeats that the partner is going to miss "a whole lotta love" that they could have had with the singer. The song ends with a final warning that their partner will regret their decision to leave and will be left wanting the love that they had.
Overall, this song is a powerful statement on the pain of heartbreak and the sense of loss that comes with it. The lyrics are emotive and the melody is haunting and evocative, making it truly memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
Who started this? I don't know
I don't know who is responsible for the end of our relationship.
You're already packed and ready to go
You are prepared to leave me for someone else.
I hope she's worth it, after all we've been through
I hope the new person you're leaving me for is worth throwing away everything we've shared.
You're breakin' my heart but I have to be strong
You are causing emotional pain, but I need to be resilient.
So go right ahead, I'll get along
You can leave, I will manage without you.
Just one thing, you better know it's true
You need to acknowledge that what I am saying is true.
You're gonna miss a whole lotta love
You will regret leaving me and the love you will miss out on.
You're gonna wish you had me back
You will want me back once you realize what you have lost.
Late at night, when you're starin' at the stars above
During lonely nights, when you look at the stars, you will feel a sense of loss.
Will she hold you close like I used to do
Will the new person treat you with the same intimacy as I did?
And think that look in your eyes is true?
Will she believe your expressions of love?
Does she believe those words you used to say to me?
Will the new person believe your previous expressions of love to me?
Do you even know how it makes me feel
Do you even comprehend the emotional toll of your actions?
To watch you throw away the dreams we built?
It is painful to see you discard the things we worked hard to create.
Well, I hope she's everything you ever need
I hope the new person is able to fulfill everything you require.
'Cause you're gonna miss a whole lotta love
You will miss out on a great deal of love.
There's no use wastin' words anymore
There is no need to continue to communicate regarding this matter.
I know it's over, what are you waitin' for?
I recognize that our relationship has come to an end. Why are you delaying leaving?
Just remember
Don't forget this important message.
You're gonna miss a whole lotta love
You will regret missing out on the love that we shared.
You're gonna wish you had me back
You will wish you still had me in your life.
When you're lying there, starin' at the stars above
Even when you're lying down and gazing at the stars, you will still feel a sense of regret.
You're gonna miss a whole lotta love
You will miss out on a great deal of love.
Contributed by Juliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@clivegreen441
I agree with all of the comments one of the best female singers from the Motown stable ever brings back such happy memories to a 64 year old Worcester NS fan it never leaves your soul does it?
@mairinkelly-may8998
Just heard this on Northern Soul.@ Proms what a voice..❤
@capitol7950
I was lucky enough to hear this at niters back in the early 90s.
@garethdodd2528
Fantastic song, danced to this many a night in the late 70s. What a time, hurt for future generations, were battery chickens now!
@jimmelody1616
Heard it on first Motown Memories Vol 2. In 1969 loved it ever since. Her voice is beautiful. Class act underrated
@soulbrother61
Absolute MONSTER of an oldie
@happychappy12
Heard this for the first time today.....................Care Of the Great Brian Matthews..........................I'm 60, but sometimes a song can knock years off you...and this is it.Great sound, great lyrics, sung by a lovely lady.........Power to you, Great posting.......xx
@janicegrindal4706
happychappy12 b
@johnpearson7734
one of the most amazing records ever
@happychappy12
@@janicegrindal4706 Janice, why a b.......xx