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.
Words
Bettye Swann Lyrics
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Don't ever let me find you're gone cause that would bring a tear to me
This world has lost its glory let's start a brand new story now my love
Right now there'll be no other time and I can show you all my love
Talk an everlasting words and dedicate them all to me
And I will give you all my love I'm here if you should call to me
You think that I don't even mean a single word I say
You think that I don't even mean a single word I say
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
The lyrics to Bettye Swann's song "Words" convey a message of love and the importance of communication in maintaining a relationship. The opening line, "Smile an everlasting smile a smile could bring you near to me," suggests that a simple gesture such as a smile can bring two people closer together. The line "Don't ever let me find you're gone cause that would bring a tear to me" highlights the fear of loss in a relationship and the vulnerability that comes with loving someone.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power of words in expressing love and the importance of being sincere in one's words. "Talk an everlasting words and dedicate them all to me/And I will give you all my love I'm here if you should call to me/You think that I don't even mean a single word I say/It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away" suggests that the singer is willing to give their all to the relationship if the other person reciprocates with genuine words and actions.
Overall, the lyrics to "Words" celebrate the importance of communication, trust, and vulnerability in a loving relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Smile an everlasting smile a smile could bring you near to me
If you smile at me, it could make me feel closer to you on an everlasting level.
Don't ever let me find you're gone cause that would bring a tear to me
If you were to leave me, it would make me cry and I would be devastated.
This world has lost its glory let's start a brand new story now my love
Our world has lost its spark, so let's start anew, my love.
Right now there'll be no other time and I can show you all my love
There is no better time than now to show you how much I love you.
Talk an everlasting words and dedicate them all to me
Speak forever-lasting words, and direct them all towards me.
And I will give you all my love I'm here if you should call to me
If you need me, I am here to give you all my love.
You think that I don't even mean a single word I say
You may believe that I don't mean what I say.
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
However, these words are all I have to make you fall in love with me.
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
This phrase emphasizes that my words alone can make you fall in love with me.
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
Repeated to drive in the point that words hold immense power in winning someone's heart.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry Gibb, Maurice Ernest Gibb, Robin Hugh Gibb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind