Joe Melson co-wrote and styled a part of Roy Orbison's career that we love … Read Full Bio ↴Joe Melson co-wrote and styled a part of Roy Orbison's career that we love so much. These songs have been played literally millions of times since the early 60's. Such songs include "Only the Lonely," "Crying," "Blue Bayou," "Blue Angel," "Running Scared," to name a few.

In the summer of 2006, Melson released a CD entitled "Joe Melson: The Hickory Records Collection (songs written by Joe Melson, Roy Orbison and Friends)." This CD is a compilation of songs Joe recorded in the early 60s on the Hickory Records label, during the same era as the classic hits that Roy Orbison recorded at Monument Records. Notable vocal and instrumental accompaniments on this collection are Dan Folger, the Jordanaires, the Anita Kerr Singers, Roy Orbison (backup vocals), Floyd Cramer on piano, Boots Randolph on saxophone, Hank (Sugar Foot) Garland, Harold Bradley and Ray Edenton on guitar, Charlie McCoy on harmonica, and Buddy Harmon on drums.

Melson was recently inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and enjoys great popularity in Europe, especially Germany, and renewed popularity here in the United States. Check his web site for updates and tour information.

Barbara
Joe Melson Lyrics

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Barbara, bye bye won't be coming round tonite
Why did you tell me all those lies?
Barbara, although you say you're lonely, miss me so
Oh yeah, well that's the way it goes

Barbara, how could you, what did I do wrong?
Barbara, oh would you do the same again?
Barbara, bye bye, won't be coming round tonite

Why did you tell me all those lies?

Barbara, how could you, what did I do wrong?
Barbara, oh would you do the same again?
If I come back again, Barbara don't cry

Hush your lips and dry your eyes
Guess I'll come around tonite

Overall Meaning

The song "Barbara" by Joe Melson is a breakup song about a man who is puzzled and hurt by the lies that Barbara has told him. He can't understand what he did wrong and is questioning if she would do the same thing again. He is saying goodbye to her and won't be coming around tonight. Although she claims to be lonely and to miss him, the man believes that's the way it goes and he must move on. The song has a melancholic feel and the singer's voice sounds almost resigned to the end of the relationship. However, in the last line of the song, he seems to leave the door open for a possible reconciliation and says that he might come around tonight after all.

The lyrics of "Barbara" capture the pain and confusion of a breakup. The singer's questions and doubts are typical of someone who has been hurt and betrayed by a person they trusted. The music is simple and understated, leaving plenty of space for the vocals to express the emotions of the lyrics. Melson's delivery is heartfelt and vulnerable, conveying the sadness and resignation of the situation.

Line by Line Meaning

Barbara, bye bye won't be coming round tonite
Barbara, you won't be coming around tonight

Why did you tell me all those lies?
Why did you lie to me?

Barbara, although you say you're lonely, miss me so
You say you're lonely, but you miss me

Oh yeah, well that's the way it goes
That's just how things are sometimes

Barbara, how could you, what did I do wrong?
How could you do this? What did I do?

Barbara, oh would you do the same again?
Would you do it again?

Barbara, bye bye, won't be coming round tonite
You won't be coming around tonight

Why did you tell me all those lies?
Why did you lie to me?

Barbara, how could you, what did I do wrong?
How could you do this? What did I do?

Barbara, oh would you do the same again?
Would you do it again?

If I come back again, Barbara don't cry
If I come back, don't cry