Barlow's first album, Sings, was released in 1998. She has received seven nominations for Canada's Juno Awards with her album Seule ce soir winning for best Jazz Vocal Recording in 2013 and Clear Day winning the same award in 2016. Seule ce soir also won Album of the Year – Jazz Interpretation at the 2013 ADISQ Awards. Barlow was also nominated for the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award at the 2016 Juno Awards.
Barlow was named Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2008 National Jazz Awards. She has named as influences Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Stevie Wonder.
Barlow has voiced various characters for animated television series, including Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus in Sailor Moon, Courtney, Laurie and Ellody in the Total Drama series, Chrissy in 6teen, Mrs. Ridgemount in Stoked, Bunny in Almost Naked Animals and Theresa Falcone (MacDougall) in Fugget About It.
Born in Toronto to parents who were professional musicians, Barlow grew up in recording studios and by age seven had begun a career singing television and radio commercials.
She was encouraged by her parents to sing and study several instruments including piano, cello, clarinet, and violin. Barlow studied voice at the Etobicoke School of Arts and music theory and arranging at Humber College.
Barlow's grandfathers were ventriloquist Cy Leonard and actor Bob Homme (who played The Friendly Giant). Her father is award-winning jazz drummer Brian Barlow (aka Brian Leonard). Her mother, Judy Tate, is a composer, arranger and singer. Her uncle was Richard Homme, a Canadian jazz bassist who died 6 May 2011.
Someone To Watch Over Me
Emilie-Claire Barlow Lyrics
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Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Hes the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
Someone who'll watch over me
Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
In Emilie-Claire Barlow’s version of “Someone To Watch Over Me,” the lyrics explore the themes of love, yearning, and vulnerability. The first stanza opens with a reference to the timeless proverb that “love is blind,” suggesting that the singer has fallen deeply in love with someone who might not be the most obvious or conventionally attractive partner. The second line of the stanza, “still were often told, seek and ye shall find,” seems to imply that while love may be blind, it is still something that people actively look for and desire. The singer then reveals that they are on a search for someone special, “a certain lad” who they’ve been thinking about for some time, but have not yet been able to find.
The second stanza delves deeper into the singer’s feelings towards this man. They describe him as “the big affair I cannot forget” and “the only man I ever think of with regret,” suggesting that this man holds a significant place in their heart, but also hinting at some past hurt or loss. The singer then expresses a desire to add his initial to their monogram, indicating they want him by their side for life. The stanza ends with the singer pleading for a “shepherd” to guide their way to their lost love.
The final stanza finds the singer expressing a yearning to be cared for by someone who watches over them, like “someone who'll watch over me.” The singer admits that they feel lost and vulnerable, like a “little lamb who's lost in the wood,” but promises that they could always be good under the right guidance. They finally reveal that despite any external judgments or opinions, this man they’re searching for holds the key to their heart and begs for him to follow their lead.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a saying old says that love is blind
Love can make us overlook faults and imperfections.
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
We are advised to actively look for who we want in life.
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
I have someone specific in mind that I am actively seeking.
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Despite my active search, I have not yet found the one I am looking for.
Hes the big affair I cannot forget
This person is a significant and unforgettable part of my life.
Only man I ever think of with regret
I have no regrets except when it comes to this man.
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
I want to be associated with him and add him to my life.
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
I am lost and need guidance to help me find the one I am looking for.
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I deeply desire to see this person.
I hope that he turns out to be
I have high hopes and expectations for this person.
Someone who'll watch over me
I want someone to protect and care for me.
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I feel lost and vulnerable.
I know I could always be good
I am a good person.
Someone who'll watch over me
I want someone to be there for me always.
Although he may not be the man some
He may not be perfect or the type others find attractive.
Girls think of as handsome
He may not fit society's beauty standards.
To my heart he carries the key
He has a special place in my heart and is the one who has my heart.
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
I want him to take action and move quickly towards me.
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
I need him to follow my guidance and come towards me.
Someone to watch over me
I need someone to take care of me and be there for me.
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO, Broma 16, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind