She grew up in Arcadia, Louisiana, one of 14 children, and moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1963. Although some sources state that she was in a vocal group known as The Fawns who recorded for Money Records in 1964, she has refuted this, saying that she sang with a trio in Arcadia by that name.
In 1964 she started a solo singing career, as Bettye Swann, at the prompting of local DJ Al Scott, who became her manager. After a minor hit with the self-penned "Don’t Wait Too Long". her big breakthrough came with "Make Me Yours", which topped the Billboard R&B charts in July 1967, and also made #21 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1968 she split with Scott, moved to Georgia, won a new contract with Capitol Records and had another hit in 1969 with "Don't Touch Me" (#14 R&B, #38 Hot 100).
In 1972 she transferred to Atlantic Records and had a couple of minor hits with "Victim of a Foolish Heart" (later revived by Joss Stone), and Merle Haggard’s "Today I Started Loving You Again". She continued to record until the mid-1970s, but with little commercial success. Her last public performance as Bettye Swann was in 2013, live in Cleethorpes.
As Betty Barton, she then worked in the education sector in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, and became a Jehovah's Witness. She is now retired and, according to a 2005 interview, suffers from a degenerative spinal condition. After leaving Money Records she lived for a short time in Athens, Georgia.
Angel Of The Morning
Bettye Swann Lyrics
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Not if my love can't bind your heart
And there's no need to take a stand
For it was I who chose to start
I see no need to take me home
I'm old enough to face the dawn
Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
Then slowly turn away
Maybe the sun's light will be dim
And it won't matter anyhow
If morning's echo says we've sinned
Well, it was what I wanted now
And if we're victims of the night
I won't be blinded by the light
Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby
Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
Then slowly turn away
I won't beg you to stay with me
Through the tears of the day, of the years
Baby, baby, baby
Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
The lyrics of Bettye Swann's "Angel of the Morning" is a plea to a one-night stand, to come back to her but not to be tied down. In the first verse, she tells him that there are no strings attached to their relationship, she does not want to force him into something he does not want, and it was ultimately her decision to be in the situation they find themselves in. In the second verse, she suggests that if they are seen together in the morning, people may see them as sinners, but the singer remains unapologetic about her feelings, and not scared of the light of day. She wants him to leave, but not before he validates her feelings by calling her the "Angel of the Morning" and giving her a farewell kiss. She claims she is strong enough to face life without him, but in reality, her vulnerability and need for his emotional validation shines through.
The song is nuanced, and the lyrics are rich with metaphor and emotion. While it may sound like a simple plea to a one-night stand, it's grittier than that. It's about the difficulty of walking away from a whirlwind romance and the need for emotional validation from your partner. The use of the phrase "Angel of the Morning" is apt, suggesting that the singer sees herself as a force of light, elegant and powerful, even if the reality is different.
Line by Line Meaning
There'll be no strings to bind your hands
I won't try to control you or make you feel trapped in a relationship.
Not if my love can't bind your heart
I won't try to force you to love me, and if your heart isn't in it, that's okay.
And there's no need to take a stand
We don't need to declare our commitment to each other, just enjoy the moment together.
For it was I who chose to start
I initiated this, and I'm willing to accept any consequences that may come from it.
I see no need to take me home
I don't need you to take me home or make any grand gestures of affection.
I'm old enough to face the dawn
I'm strong enough to face whatever comes next, even if it means being alone.
Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
Think of me as a comforting presence when you wake up, someone who makes you feel safe and loved.
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby
Show me you care before you go, even if it's just a small gesture.
Then slowly turn away
But know that we're not meant to be together forever, and eventually you'll need to move on.
Maybe the sun's light will be dim
Perhaps things won't be perfect in the morning, but that's okay.
And it won't matter anyhow
No matter what happens, we'll always have this moment together.
If morning's echo says we've sinned
Even if others judge us harshly for this, we won't regret it.
Well, it was what I wanted now
I don't regret starting this, even if it's not the 'right' thing to do.
And if we're victims of the night
If we're seen as 'bad' or 'wrong' for being together, so be it.
I won't be blinded by the light
I won't let others' judgments or opinions cloud the way I feel about you.
I won't beg you to stay with me
I won't plead for you to stay, as I know our time together is limited.
Through the tears of the day, of the years
Even if our time together ends in heartbreak, I'll always remember the way you made me feel.
Baby, baby, baby
You mean so much to me, even if we can't be together forever.
Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
Remember me fondly, someone who brought you comfort and joy even for a brief time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chip Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind