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.
message to michael
Barbara McNair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
He sings each night in some cafe
In his search to find wealth and fame
I hear Michael has gone and changed his name
It's a year since he was here
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
Tell him I miss him more each day
As his train pulled out down the track
Michael promised he'd soon be coming back
Oh tell him how my heart just breaks in two
Since he journeyed far
And even though his dreams of fame fell through
To me he will always be a star
Spread your wings for New Orleans
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
Ask him to start for home today
When you find him please let him know
Rich or poor, I will always love him so
Fly away, Kentucky bluebird
Fly away, Kentucky bluebird
Fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away
The lyrics to Barbara McNair's song "Message To Michael" tell a story of longing and love for someone who has left to pursue their dreams. The song begins with the singer urging a "Kentucky bluebird" to spread its wings and fly to New Orleans, where the person they're addressing, Michael, is believed to be performing in cafes in search of wealth and fame. The singer expresses their longing for Michael, mentioning that it has been a year since their departure and how they miss him more each day. The mention of Michael changing his name hints at his transformation as he tries to find success in his chosen path.
Despite his dreams of fame not coming true, the singer still sees Michael as a star and expresses their heartbreak since he left. They ask the Kentucky bluebird to deliver a message to Michael, urging him to start his journey back home, assuring him that regardless of his wealth or status, they will always love him.
Line by Line Meaning
Spread your wings for New Orleans
Embrace new opportunities and venture out into the world.
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
Leave behind your familiar surroundings and explore new horizons.
And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
Relay a heartfelt message to someone named Michael.
He sings each night in some cafe
He continuously pursues his passion for singing in various cafes.
In his search to find wealth and fame
In his quest for success and recognition.
I hear Michael has gone and changed his name
I've heard that Michael underwent a name change, possibly as a means of reinventing himself.
It's a year since he was here
It has been a year since he was last present.
And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
Deliver a heartfelt message once again to Michael.
Tell him I miss him more each day
Convey the deep longing and increasing yearning I feel for him every passing day.
As his train pulled out down the track
When he departed on the train, leaving the station.
Michael promised he'd soon be coming back
Michael assured that he would return in the near future.
Oh tell him how my heart just breaks in two
Express the immense pain and sorrow that overwhelms my heart.
Since he journeyed far
Ever since he embarked on a distant journey.
And even though his dreams of fame fell through
Despite his dreams of achieving fame not being realized.
To me he will always be a star
In my eyes, he will forever remain a shining star.
Ask him to start for home today
Request him to begin his journey back home immediately.
When you find him please let him know
Once you locate him, kindly inform him.
Rich or poor, I will always love him so
Regardless of his financial status, my love for him will always endure.
Fly away, Kentucky bluebird
Take flight and explore new destinations, just like a bluebird from Kentucky.
Fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away
Emphasizes the repeated urging for the bluebird to take flight and journey onwards.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adambrocklehurst4211
lovely version
@Noomz-of-Earl
Burt Bacharach/Motown trivia item: The biggest hit Motown ever had with a Burt Bacharach song was "Love Always" by El DeBarge in 1986 [#7 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart / #43 on the Billboard Hot 100 (pop)].
@MrPeclo
The Marvelettes ! Gladys Horton.
@lenb7275
Dionne Warwick