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.
War-Paint
Barry Mann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darling, my Darling, you're not the same...
With your lipstick, powder and paint
You're all dressed up like a-what-a-you ain't
You spray your hair a different shade
We're goin' to a movie, not a masquerade
Warpaint, warpaint, you don't need-a warpaint, warpaint
Can't you see you're not goin' to fight a war
When you put your head on my chest
You get lipstick on my vest
You may think that you look cute
I don't think it's funny when you ruin my suit
Warpaint, warpaint, you don't need-a warpaint, warpaint
Can't you see you're not goin' to fight a war
You're only goin' out with the boy next door
Darling, you're not a hopeless case
Just go in the house and wash your face
There's still time and there's still hope
Let me introduce you to a cake of soap
Warpaint, warpaint, you don't need-a warpaint, warpaint
Can't you see you're not goin' to fight a war
You're only goin' out with the boy next door
Warpaint, warpaint, you don't need-a warpaint, warpaint
Can't you see you're not goin' to fight a war
You're only goin' out with the boy next door
Warpaint, warpaint, wooh-ah-woh
Warpaint, warpaint, wooh-ah-woh
Warpaint, warpaint, wooh-ah-woh
Warpaint!
The lyrics of "Warpaint" by Barry Mann are about a man who is frustrated with his girlfriend's excessive use of makeup. In the first verse, he notes that she has changed and is not the same woman he fell in love with. He criticizes her use of lipstick, powder, and paint and compares her appearance to that of someone in a masquerade rather than someone going to a simple date.
In the second verse, he complains that her makeup is staining his clothes and ruining his appearance. He tries to make her see reason by telling her that she doesn't need all of that makeup to go on a simple date with him, and that she should wash her face and try using a cake of soap instead. The song concludes with the repetition of the chorus, as he reminds her that she is not going to fight a war, but simply going out with the "boy next door."
Overall, the song is a critique of the societal pressure placed on women to look a certain way and wear makeup, even when it is unnecessary.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling, oh Darling, why have you changed...
Addressing his lover, the singer questions why she has transformed or altered her appearance.
Darling, my Darling, you're not the same...
The singer emphasize that his lover has undergone significant changes and is no longer the same person he knew before.
With your lipstick, powder and paint
The singer highlights his lover's use of cosmetics like lipstick, powder, and paint to improve her appearance.
You're all dressed up like a-what-a-you ain't
The singer points out that his lover is dressed up in a costume or attire that doesn't fit her personality or style.
You spray your hair a different shade
The singer mentions that his lover has also changed the color of her hair, signs of a significant transformation.
We're goin' to a movie, not a masquerade
The singer tries to emphasize that they are only going to watch a movie, not participating in any masquerade or dress up event.
Warpaint, warpaint, you don't need-a warpaint, warpaint
The singer reiterates that his lover does not need any warpaint or makeup.
Can't you see you're not goin' to fight a war
The singer emphasizes that his lover is not going to fight in any war or battle, and thus doesn't need to put on warpaint or makeup.
You're only goin' out with the boy next door
The singer reminds his lover that she is only going out with the boy next door, who is unlikely to be affected by her looks.
When you put your head on my chest
The singer talks about his lover's behavior when they are close, with her head resting on his chest.
You get lipstick on my vest
The singer highlights that his lover leaves remnants of her lipstick on his vest when her head is on his chest.
You may think that you look cute
The singer acknowledges that his lover might think she looks cute with makeup and warpaint.
I don't think it's funny when you ruin my suit
The singer expresses his displeasure with his lover's actions, which ruin his suit and clothing.
Darling, you're not a hopeless case
The singer tries to uplift his lover's spirits by reassuring her that she is not a lost cause.
Just go in the house and wash your face
The singer suggests that his lover washes her face to remove makeup and warpaint and may look better without them.
There's still time and there's still hope
The singer encourages his lover to consider that there's still time to make changes before their outing.
Let me introduce you to a cake of soap
The singer offers to help his lover clean off her make-up by suggesting they use a cake of soap.
Warpaint, warpaint, wooh-ah-woh
A repetitive section of the chorus where the singer once again reminds his lover that warpaint is unnecessary.
Warpaint!
The song concludes with a final declaration that warpaint is unnecessary.
Writer(s): Barry Mann, Howard Greenfield
Contributed by Lincoln B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
belisario guerra
Cover: Les Chats Sauvages ( France ) - Tu peins ton visage ( 1961 ).