His family was in the cinema business, but it was during his National Service that he began performing as a musician. After taking a correspondence course and arranging for some of the bands of the day, he formed The John Barry Seven. Barry then met Adam Faith, and composed songs and film scores on the singer's behalf.
It was this notoriety that caught the attention of the producers of Dr. No, who were dissatisfied with the score given to them by Monty Norman. Barry and the JB7 were hired and their recording of Norman's "James Bond Theme" would go on to be one of the most famous signature tunes in film history.
This would be the turning point for Barry, as he would go on to become one of the most celebrated film composers of modern times, winning five Academy Awards and four Grammys, with such memorable scores as The Lion in Winter, Midnight Cowboy, Out of Africa, and Dances with Wolves.
Barry is often cited as having had a distinct style which concentrated on lush strings and extensive use of brass. However, he was also an innovator, being one of the first to employ synthesizers in a film score (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), and to make wide use of pop artists and original songs in Midnight Cowboy.
Living in his native England until the mid 1970s, Barry spent some time in Spain (for tax purposes) before spending much of his life in the United States, mainly in Oyster Bay, outside of New York.
Barry died of a heart attack on 30 January 2011, at his Oyster Bay home, aged 77 years.
Wednesday's Child
John Barry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wednesday's child cries alone, I know.
When you smiled, just for me you smiled,
For a while I forgot I was Wednesday's child.
Friday's child wins at love, they say.
In your arms Friday was my day.
Now you're gone, well I should have known,
Now you're gone, well I should have known,
I am Wednesday's child, born to be alone.
Wednesday's child, born to be alone.
The lyrics to John Barry's song "Wednesday's Child" tell a story of a child who is often forgotten and left to suffer alone. The first verse describes the "child of woe" who cries alone because they are not as fortunate as other children. The second verse talks about the brief happiness that the singer experiences when they are with someone they love. However, their hopes are dashed when that person leaves and the singer realizes that they are destined to always be alone as a Wednesday's child.
The lyrics paint a poignant picture of loneliness and melancholy, showing the emotional pain that comes with feeling like an outsider. The imagery of a child crying alone is particularly powerful, as it speaks to the feelings of abandonment and isolation that many people experience at some point in their lives. The line "born to be alone" is particularly sad, as it suggests that the singer feels as though their fate is predetermined and that they will never be able to break free from their sense of isolation.
Overall, the lyrics to "Wednesday's Child" speak to the universal human experience of feeling like an outsider and struggling to connect with others. They are a poignant reflection on the pain of loneliness and the emotional toll that it can take on a person's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Wednesday's child is a child of woe.
A child born on Wednesday is believed to have a life full of sorrow and misfortune.
Wednesday's child cries alone, I know.
People born on Wednesday tend to suffer alone, without any support or comfort.
When you smiled, just for me you smiled,
In that one moment, you smiled exclusively for me.
For a while I forgot I was Wednesday's child.
Your smile made me forget the sadness and loneliness that come with being born on a Wednesday.
Friday's child wins at love, they say.
People born on Friday are believed to have good luck in love and relationships.
In your arms Friday was my day.
When I was with you, I felt like I had good luck in love and everything was perfect, like it would be for someone born on a Friday.
Now you're gone, well I should have known,
After you've left, I realize that my upbringing as a Wednesday's child, which predicts a life of loneliness and sorrow, was always going to be the truth.
I am Wednesday's child, born to be alone.
My destiny, predetermined by my day of birth, is to live a life of solitude and without the support of others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAEMION BARRY, JULIA GILBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind