Born Amanda Carol Barnett, the only child of Betty and Dan Barnett (who worked respectively as a bookkeeper and contractor), she was named after Amanda Blake, the husky-voiced actress who played Miss Kitty on the long-running television western “Gunsmoke." Barnett began her musical career by singing in church at the age of five. Members of the congregation noticed her perfect pitch, and that her vocal performance had star quality. Her mother encouraged her by booking singing engagements wherever people would listen: bowling alleys, VFW halls and political rallies (notably for Lamar Alexander and future Vice President Al Gore, Jr.. When there was no venue, she would perform in parking lots. By age nine, her father financed a professionally recorded gospel music album. The following summer, she had joined a summer theatre cast at Dollywood and shared the stage with Dolly Parton herself. It was during her two years at Dollywood that she won a talent contest that included making a demo in Nashville, just a two-hour drive from her home.
During the trip to Nashville, Betty Barnett worked to get her talented daughter a spot on the well-known "Midnight Jamboree" radio show, which aired after the Grand Ole Opry program on WSM-AM. Opry star George Hamilton IV was also a guest on the program, and was so impressed he commented, "If there are any producers out there, you better call." One did indeed, and she was soon signed by producer Jimmy Bowen. The then 12-year-old Barnett earned a lot of industry buzz after her debut on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, covering Patsy Cline's "Crazy." It would prove to be a foreshadowing moment of her professional career.
Bowen's career transitioned from label to label at the time. Each time, he took young Barnett with him, and despite constant training and development funding, no album ever resulted. Barnett graduated from high school in 1993 and headed back to Nashville full-time to seek her fortune. Ironically, her label, Capitol Records dropped her that December.
A stroke of luck finally came her way early in 1994, when she heard about auditions for a stage show that very day, much to her surprise. Called Always... Patsy Cline, she felt she was a natural to play the legendary country chanteuse, and she beat out all the others who tried out for the part. It played nightly at the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry where Cline herself had sung, and Barnett performed to sold-out crowds for two years. Thanks to reviews that constantly compared her favorably to Cline, Barnett was a hot property on Music Row again, finally putting out self-titled album on Asylum Records in 1996. Three singles from the album charted on the Billboard country charts.
Working with the country glitterati, including Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill and Trisha Yearwood, Barnett's star was rising. A nationwide tour in 1997 was met with good reviews. She reprised her role in Always... Patsy Cline (this time with above-the-title billing) for a short time and she contributed performances to two film soundtracks before releasing her next album in 1999 on Sire Records, I've Got A Right to Cry, produced by the man who had made Patsy Cline herself a star, studio legend Owen Bradley. He died mid-way through the project and his brother Harold Bradley took over production duties. It would be released soon after Bradley's death.
Reviews of I've Got A Right To Cry were strong, including raves in Rolling Stone, but sales disappointed, and Barnett was dropped from Sire. Press interviews constantly compare her to Patsy Cline, which may have resulted in a musical form of typecasting and negatively impacted her career. Barnett maintains that Cline is an influence, but that she is not a Patsy Cline impersonator.
Having learned from Music Row veterans, she began working herself as a record producer in 2000, working with gospel and country artists. Barnett keeps her intimate life very private, and currently resides in Nashville. She continues to sing in concerts around the city and works as a producer.
Slowly
Mandy Barnett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
More in love with you
Slowly you're winning
A heart that can be true
Now, I can't hide my feelings
No matter what I do
For slowly I'm falling
More in love with you
Instrumental
More and more I need you
And want you by my side
More and more I love you
As each day passes by
My heart, I know you're stealing
I hope that you'll be true
For slowly I'm falling
More in love with you
Slowly I'm falling
More in love with you
Slowly you're winning
A heart that can be true
Now, I can't hide my feelings
No matter what I do
For slowly I'm falling
More in love with you
The song "Slowly" by Mandy Barnett captures the emotions of slowly falling in love with someone. The lyrics express the songwriter's deepening feelings and vulnerability as they struggle to keep their emotions in check. The opening lines of "Slowly I’m falling, more in love with you" signify how the person is undergoing a gradual internal transformation. They are becoming more vulnerable and open to the idea of the other person being a part of their life. The repetition of "slowly" in the lyrics serves as a reminder of the gradual nature of the process of falling in love.
The songwriter goes on to admit that they can no longer hide their feelings, no matter what they do. This vulnerability is further emphasized by the repetition of "more and more I need you, and want you by my side" in the second verse. The idea of needing someone is not often talked about, especially in popular music, which tends to focus more on the sappy side of love. This song, however, delves into the deeper, more complex emotions that come along with relationships.
Overall, "Slowly" is a poignant love song that captures the idea of gradually falling in love with someone while also recognizing the vulnerability and emotional complexity that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Slowly I'm falling
My love for you is gradually intensifying
More in love with you
My affection for you is growing stronger
Slowly you're winning
You're gradually capturing my heart
A heart that can be true
My heart is capable of being faithful and loyal
Now, I can't hide my feelings
I can no longer suppress my emotions
No matter what I do
Regardless of my efforts
More and more I need you
My desire for you is increasing day by day
And want you by my side
I want you to be with me always
More and more I love you
My love for you is constantly increasing
As each day passes by
With each passing day
My heart, I know you're stealing
I know you are taking possession of my heart
I hope that you'll be true
I pray that you will remain faithful and sincere
Slowly I'm falling
Gradually, I'm falling deeper in love with you
More in love with you
My feelings for you are growing stronger each day
Contributed by Ethan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sonny Dave
Great cover of a classic country song! Written by Tommy Hill brother of Goldie Hill. In addition to being a hit for Webb Pierce, I consider the song one of the most important in country music. The song had Bud Isaacs introduce the Pedal Steel Guitar. The pedal steel can really enhance a country song. Mandy Barnett is another female classic country singer who is as good as any of the "stars" , but never became well known. Others in that category include Bonnie Guitar, Jamey Ryan, Connie Cato, Donna Darlene, Luetta Johnston, Molly Bee, Margie Bowes, Billy Jo Spears and others.
webbjr37
Mandy is living proof that success has nothing to do with talent, if it did she would have been a super star long ago, she has one of the best voices out there yet she doesn't get played on so called Country Radio. What a shame
Tarquin45
I just wish there were more CD's of her because she is absolutely great. Not only do I love her voice and looks, but the choice of material too.
MrMajros
Mandy Barnett is very great country singer ! Thank you for this great song !
Greg Corricello
One of my favorite Webb Pierce songs. Wow, she sings like a dream!
Tracey Homan
Amazing! She is really great! Great version! Makes any music lover proud thank you!
Rebecca Munn
I love Mandy Barnett's singing, and it's nice to know about these songs on compilation albums.Thank you for sharing this wonderful song with us!
Rebecca Munn
+Jason Halverson Thanks for the reply and the recommendation. I'll make sure to look for it online.
Jason Halverson
+Rebecca Munn it's an amazing album too, you should try to find it sometime. i think you'll really like it
Javier Diaz
Great Song, Great Voice....