2. Minneapolis indie-rock/alternative easy listening band led by singer/songwriter Jeaneen Gauthier (http://www.myspace.com/jantheband) and (http://www.jeaneengauthier.com)
3. Electronic musician from Ohio
thejan.bandcamp.com
4. One third of drag trio Stephanie's Child, and contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 12 and Drag Race All Stars Season 6.
Barbara Ann
Jan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann (take my hand)
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
You've got me rockin' and a-rollin'
Rockin' and a-reelin'
Barbara Ann
Went to a dance
Looking for romance
Saw Barbara Ann
So I thought I'd take a chance
Barbara Ann, take my hand
You've got me rockin' and a-rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin'
Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann (take my hand)
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
You've got me rockin' and a-rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin'
Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Tried Betty Sue
Tried Betty Lou
Tried Mary Sue
But I knew it wouldn't, do
Barbara Ann ba ba ba ba
Barbara Ann ba ba ba ba (take my hand)
You've got me rockin' and a-rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin'
Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann (take my hand)
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
You've got me rockin' and a-rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin'
Barbara Ann
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
The lyrics to "Barbara Ann" by Jan & Dean are a simple tribute to a girl who's got the singer feeling joyfully out of control. The song expresses the excitement and thrill of finding that one special person who can get you truly rocking and rolling. The repetition of Barbara Ann's name cleverly plays with the structure of the song, turning her name into a joyful refrain that punctuates each verse. The lines "Tried Betty Sue, tried Betty Lou, tried Mary Sue, but I knew it wouldn't do" highlight the fact that Barbara Ann is truly one of a kind and irreplaceable. The song is a catchy, upbeat tune that showcases the fun-loving energy of early rock n' roll.
Line by Line Meaning
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
Jan and Dean are singing the catchy tune and calling out Barbara Ann's name with enthusiasm.
Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann (take my hand)
Jan and Dean want Barbara Ann to take their hand to join them in a dance.
You've got me rockin' and a-rollin'
Barbara Ann has captivated the attention of Jan and Dean and they are thoroughly enjoying dancing with her.
Rockin' and a-reelin'
Jan and Dean are really getting into the music and dancing wildly.
Went to a dance
Jan and Dean attended a social gathering where they saw Barbara Ann.
Looking for romance
Jan and Dean were hoping to find love or romantic companionship at the dance.
Saw Barbara Ann
Jan and Dean noticed Barbara Ann among the crowd of people at the dance.
So I thought I'd take a chance
Jan and Dean took a risk and approached Barbara Ann in the hopes of striking up a conversation or dance.
Tried Betty Sue
Jan and Dean tried to pursue a relationship with Betty Sue before they met Barbara Ann, but it didn't work out.
Tried Betty Lou
Jan and Dean also attempted to court a woman named Betty Lou, but it proved unsuccessful.
Tried Mary Sue
Jan and Dean even had a go at sparking a romance with Mary Sue, but to no avail.
But I knew it wouldn't do
Jan and Dean realized that pursuing relationships with these women wasn't meant to be, and that they had a special chemistry with Barbara Ann instead.
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Jan and Dean celebrate the joy of being with Barbara Ann by repeating her name multiple times.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred Fassert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marc Bosyk
I always thought this was the best version of the song. The sax solo wails! Rip Jan Berry
Brian P
I love the sax in this version. Maybe more than the original!
The LassKicker
love this song
brtherjohn
The Beach Boys version - which had Dean in the studio - is based on this Jan and Dean's version (with it's falsetto, which is missing in the original Regents recorded version.) Who would have thunk the BBs "party" version would become a huge mega-hit? Sadly no one remembers this J&D version. Check out the ping-pong stereo spread on this track here!
Lee Marshall
No one remembers it because it's lousy. [and annoying] Not that the Beach Boy's version is all that much more listenable as Dean 'inflicts' his smallish amount of 'talent' into that equation too. Yet...it worked. Brian and his "dog ears"!!! No one else would have picked THAT as the 'hit' from the Party album. Yes...58' The sax solo was pretty cool. Obviously NOT Mike playin' it. It had more than 2 notes to it.
Rebel9668
Sounds kind of like a cross between the Regents & The Beach Boys--I like it!
58'chrysler
Im diggin' the sax solo
Barbara Ann and Paul Mulder
Love this....
Barbara Hanson
They did it best!
Alan Herbert
Regents did this first....my favorite....and of course Jan and Dean. The Beech Boys version was good, but more of a recorded party spoof.