Gloria Lynne (born Gloria Wilson; November 23, 1929 – October 15, 2013) was… Read Full Bio ↴Gloria Lynne (born Gloria Wilson; November 23, 1929 – October 15, 2013) was an American jazz vocalist with a recording career spanning from 1958 to 2007. She grew up in Harlem; her mother, Mary, was a gospel singer.

Lynne was born in Harlem in 1929 to John and Mary Wilson. As a young girl, Lynne sang with the local African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Choir. At the age of 15, she won first prize at the "Amateur Night" at the Apollo Theater. She shared the stage with contemporary night club vocal ensembles as well as with Ella Fitzgerald, recording as part of such groups as the Enchanters and the Dell-Tones in the 1950s. She recorded as a soloist under her birth name, though most of her work was released under her stage name on the Everest and Fontana labels. She was signed to Everest in 1958.

Although showing much promise early on, especially after TV appearances, including the Harry Belafonte Spectacular, her development suffered through poor management: some unscrupulous recording "executives" profited while she was left virtually penniless, saved by the fact that she was able to work steadily and earn her money from performances—a victim of unpaid royalties.

In the 1960s she had several hits including "June Night", "Love I Found You", "I'm Glad There Is You", "I Wish You Love" (1964)—which became her signature song—and her answer to Gene McDaniels's "Tower Of Strength", "(You Don't Have to Be a) Tower Of Strength", a pop hit that proved how versatile she could be in the studio. After her time with Everest Records she moved to Fontana and recorded such albums as Soul Serenade, Love And A Woman, Where It's At, and Here, There And Everywhere, all of which showcased her versatility in jazz, RnB, soul and melodic "pop".

During her earlier years on the road Gloria Lynne shared bills with some of the giants of RnB, jazz, pop and standards including Ray Charles, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Mathis and Ella Fitzgerald. Notable TV specials include two with Harry Belafonte and duets with Billy Eckstine. As Lynne moved into jazz in her later career she worked with top flight musicians and arrangers and performed with many of the jazz greats, including Quincy Jones, Bobby Timmons, Philly Joe Jones, Harry "Sweets" Edison.

She famously wrote lyrics for “Watermelon Man” with Herbie Hancock, and “All Day Long” with Kenny Burrell. New York City proclaimed July 25, 1995 as Gloria Lynne Day. In 1996 Lynne received the International Women of Jazz Award and she was honored with a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1997. Other awards and recognitions include the National Treasure Award from the Seasoned Citizens Theatre Company (2003); induction into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame; Living Legend Award from the State of Pennsylvania (2007).

She and her husband, Harry Alleyne, had a son, Richard. Gloria and Richard Alleyne ran a production company, Family Bread Music Inc. Gloria and Harry Alleyne divorced in 1968.

She died of a heart attack on October 15, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey.

Impossible
Gloria Lynne Lyrics

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If they had ever told me
How sweet a kiss could be
I would have said, "Impossible,
Impossible for me"

And if they said, "YouÃ¢??ll find love
Beyond the rainbowÃ¢??s end"
I would have said, "Impossible,

Impossible, my friend."

To dream about what might have been
Is strange enough for me
But now it seems IÃ¢??m livinÃ¢?? in
A dream too beautiful to be

If they had said a moonbeam
Would calm a stormy sea
I would have said, "Impossible",
But now at last I see

That nothing is impossible
If you are here with me.

Overall Meaning

The song Impossible by Gloria Lynne portrays the journey of the singer in overcoming her disbelief in love and the possibility of a happy ending. The first verse describes the singer's initial disbelief in the sweetness of a kiss and the existence of true love. She believes it to be impossible for herself to experience such happiness that others might have. The second verse talks about how dreaming of a possible happy ending was strange enough for the singer. She was even more blown away when she found herself falling in love with someone who made her feel like she is living in a dream that is too beautiful to be true.

The chorus of the song suggests that the singer was completely proven wrong in her disbelief that anything is impossible if she has the person she loves beside her. She realizes that even the wildest and seemingly impossible things like a moonbeam calming a stormy sea are possible with the right person beside her. The song ends with the singer reaffirming her belief that nothing is impossible as long as she is with her beloved. The lyrics powerfully convey the message of love conquering all odds and making even the impossible, possible.

Line by Line Meaning

If they had ever told me
If someone had told me before, prior to my experience

How sweet a kiss could be
About how lovely and delightful a kiss can feel

I would have said, "Impossible,
I would have claimed it's not possible

Impossible for me"
It can't happen to me

And if they said, "YouÃ¢??ll find love
If someone were to claim I would find love

Beyond the rainbowÃ¢??s end"
At a distant, unattainable place

I would have said, "Impossible,
I would have denied it to be possible

Impossible, my friend."
It's an unachievable or unrealistic goal, my friend

To dream about what might have been
Imagining things that could have occurred differently

Is strange enough for me
It's peculiar enough as it is

But now it seems IÃ¢??m livinÃ¢?? in
On the other hand, it seems that I am currently experiencing