With his partner and wife, Cynthia Weil, they operate a publishing company called Dyad Music. His first hit as a writer was "She Say (Oom Dooby Doom)," which was a top twenty song for The Diamonds in 1959. Mann had co-written the song with Gerry Goffin. Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil met when they were both staff songwriters, they were married in 1961. Through the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Mann came up with songs such as "Sometimes When We Touch" and movie scores such as that for I Never Sang for My Father. Weil co-wrote "He's So Shy" with Tom Snow for The Pointer Sisters and worked on projects with Lionel Richie.
In 1961, they wrote and Mann sang a novelty song that made the Top 10 with "Who Put The Bomp", which parodied the nonsense words of the then-recently popular doo wop songs.
In 1987, he was inducted with his wife into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Soul And Inspiration
Barry Mann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let you walk away
Girl, how can I live through this
When you're all I wake up for each day?
Baby, you're my soul and my heart's inspiration
You're all I've got to get me by
You're my soul and my heart's inspiration
I never had much goin'
But at least I had you
How can you walk out knowin'
I ain't got nothin' left if you do?
Baby, you're my soul and my heart's inspiration
You're all I've got to get me by
You're my soul and my heart's inspiration
Without you baby, what good am I, oh what good am I?
Baby, I can't make it withoutcha.
And I'm, I'm tellin' ya, honey-you're my
reason for laughin', for cryin', for livin', and for dyin'.
Baby, I can't make it without you
Please, I'm begging you baby
If you go it will kill me
I swear it, Dear, my love can't bear it
You're my soul and my heart's inspiration
You're all I've got to get me by
You're my soul and my heart's inspiration
Without you baby, what good am I, what good am I?
Mm-mm-mm Mm-mm-mm
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The lyrics to Barry Mann's song "Soul And Inspiration" express a profound sense of despair and dependence on someone for emotional sustenance. The singer pleads with the girl not to leave, as he feels unable to live without her. She is his soul and his heart's inspiration, the reason he wakes up each day and the one thing that gives his life meaning.
The desperation in the lyrics is evident as the singer acknowledges that he never had much going on in his life, but at least he had her. He questions how she can walk away knowing that he would be left with nothing if she goes. To him, she is the only source of happiness and fulfillment, the one who gives purpose to his existence. Without her, he questions his own worth, as he wonders, "Without you baby, what good am I?"
The plea intensifies as the singer confesses that he can't make it without her. The girl is his reason for laughter, sadness, living, and even dying. He begs her not to leave, swearing that her departure would crush him because his love cannot endure the pain of her absence. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the deep reliance the singer has on this person and the feeling of emptiness that would consume him if she were to go.
Overall, "Soul And Inspiration" is a song that captures the desperation and dependence that can come with intense love and emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, I can't let you do this
I cannot allow you to leave or make this decision that will end our relationship.
Let you walk away
Allowing you to leave and go away from my life.
Girl, how can I live through this
I do not know how I will survive or go on if you leave.
When you're all I wake up for each day?
Every morning, you are the only reason I have to wake up and face the day.
Baby, you're my soul and my heart's inspiration
My love for you is the driving force that uplifts and motivates me.
You're all I've got to get me by
You are everything I need to continue living and enduring.
Without you baby, what good am I?
If I do not have you, I feel worthless and purposeless.
I never had much goin'
I did not possess many material possessions or achievements.
But at least I had you
However, I had the comfort and joy of having you in my life.
How can you walk out knowin'
How can you leave me when you are aware of the impact it will have on me?
I ain't got nothin' left if you do?
If you leave, I will be left with nothing and feel empty.
Baby, I can't make it withoutcha.
I cannot survive or go on without you.
And I'm, I'm tellin' ya, honey-you're my reason for laughin', for cryin', for livin', and for dyin'.
You are the source of my joy, tears, purpose, and even the reason I would give up my life for.
Please, I'm begging you baby
I am pleading with you, begging you desperately.
If you go it will kill me
If you choose to leave, it will emotionally destroy me.
I swear it, Dear, my love can't bear it
I promise you, my dear, that my love for you cannot endure such a loss.
Mm-mm-mm Mm-mm-mm
Instrumental sounds without specific lyrics.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind