Barbara
The Temptations Lyrics

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Barbara
Barbara
Barbara, my love

If Barbara were an angel
I pray she'd watch over me
If Barbara were a queen
Her servant I would be

If Barbara would be mine
And wear my high school ring
Then I'd climb the highest mountain
Do just anything

If Barbara were the winter chill
I'd stand out in the cold
If Barbara were a tree
Her branches I would hold

If Barbara would love me
And say that she'd be mine
I'd swim the deepest ocean
Stop the hands of time

Barbara please say
(That you're the one in love with me)
Don't let me lead
(This life, this life of misery)
Oh, oh, oh

Let me kiss your tender lips
And know your secret charms
And let me know what real love is
And hold you in my arms

And if this love I pray for
Should it all come true
Then with all my heart, dear
I'd love no one but you

I'll hold you in my arms
For now and ever more
And we will walk together
Through love's sacred door

Barbara
Barbara
Barbara, my love

Barbara
Barbara
Barbara, my love

Barbara
Barbara

Overall Meaning

The Temptations's song "Barbara" is a love song that expresses a deep devotion and longing for a woman named Barbara. The lyrics are full of romantic imagery, with the singer wishing that Barbara was his angel, queen, or even the cold winter chill. He would do anything for her and compares his love for her to the deepest ocean.

The chorus is simple but effective, with the repetition of Barbara's name reinforcing the idea that she is the only one he cares about. The lyrics also reflect a sense of vulnerability and desperation, with the singer asking Barbara to say that she loves him and to save him from a life of misery.

Overall, "Barbara" is a classic love song that captures the intense emotions of a young man who is deeply in love. The Temptations's smooth and soulful vocals add to the romantic atmosphere of the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Barbara
Addressing the person the song is dedicated to

Barbara
Continuation of addressing Barbara

Barbara, my love
Emphasizing love for Barbara

If Barbara were an angel
Imagining a scenario where Barbara is an angel

I pray she'd watch over me
Expressing hope for protection from an angelic Barbara

If Barbara were a queen
Imagining a scenario where Barbara is a queen

Her servant I would be
Expressing willing subservience to a royal Barbara

If Barbara would be mine
Desiring Barbara to be in a romantic relationship

And wear my high school ring
Symbolizing commitment and a serious relationship

Then I'd climb the highest mountain
Expressing willingness to do anything for Barbara's love

Do just anything
Reiterating the above sentiment

If Barbara were the winter chill
Imagining a scenario where Barbara is cold and distant

I'd stand out in the cold
Demonstrating loyalty and willingness to endure hardship for Barbara

If Barbara were a tree
Imagining a scenario where Barbara is like a tree with branches

Her branches I would hold
Expressing desire to embrace and connect with Barbara

If Barbara would love me
Expressing the desire for reciprocal love from Barbara

And say that she'd be mine
Indicating a desire for commitment and exclusivity

I'd swim the deepest ocean
Expressing willingness to do anything for Barbara's love

Stop the hands of time
Indicating desire for time to stand still in moments of love

Barbara please say
Pleading with Barbara for a response

(That you're the one in love with me)
Expressing hope for mutual love

Don't let me lead
Expressing fear of leading a miserable life without Barbara's love

(This life, this life of misery)
Describing the fear of a life without Barbara's love

Let me kiss your tender lips
Expressing desire for physical intimacy with Barbara

And know your secret charms
Desire to know Barbara intimately and completely

And let me know what real love is
Expressing the desire for real, mutual love

And hold you in my arms
Expressing the desire to hold and connect with Barbara

And if this love I pray for
Expressing hope for a particular type of love

Should it all come true
Expressing the hope of the desired love becoming reality

Then with all my heart, dear
Expressing willingness and commitment to the desired love

I'd love no one but you
Indicating exclusive love for Barbara

I'll hold you in my arms
Continued expression of desire to hold Barbara

For now and ever more
Indicating eternal love and commitment

And we will walk together
Expressing partnership and togetherness

Through love's sacred door
Symbolic representation of the journey of love

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ARTHUR M RIPP, NEIL KLEINHANDLER, NEIL LAPIDUS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Jack Tolkien

3y↑6

This is absolutely an incredible one hit wonder! Have heard in many years just once! Such an incredible group here!

Arlene314

4y↑12

I love this song. It's one of my very favorite oldies.

Robert Schmidt

2y↑3

I married one 41 years ago. And I still love her probably more than I did back then. She has been my rock over the years.

Binha B

8y↑6

escuto essa música todas as manhãs 😉

Ernie Sadowski

10y↑27

A true one hit wonder!

Garry Snett

Ernie Sadowski I.just.bought.the,45.1960.

Mr. Vinyl 67

Ikr

Philip Germani

2y↑1

The memories! Thanks for sharing this wonderful song.

lori

3y↑4

my great grandmother passed away recently and her name was barbara. i heard this song on the radio yesterday and it immediately made me think of her.

Conor H

3y↑1

How sweet

Sheri Orr

This is first time for me to hear this awesome love song. The lead singer is incredible. Can't believe I missed this song. Thanks to you I and many others can listen to this song until........

Raymond Malcuit

4y↑5

This Song Went To Number 29 On The Billboard Hot 100 Chart In 1960.

Steve Digangi

5y↑8

LOVED THIS SONG

murph 4

4y↑4

I love this song, so glad I heard it for first time last week. Their B side song, someday is just as good!!!!

sauquoit13456

6y↑13

On this day in 1960 {March 25th} the Temptations performed "Barbara" on the Dick Clark ABC-TV weekday-afternoon program, 'American Bandstand'...
One month later on April 18th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #95; four weeks later it would peak at #29 {for 1 week} and it spent ten weeks on the Top 100...
The next time the Temptations would enter the Top 100 would be three years and ten months later on February 29th, 1964 with "The Way You Do The Things You Do"; of course these Temps would be the super soul group from Motown...

Victor Castillo

4y↑2

Thanks for clearing things up about these Temptations & Motown's, for a moment it was a head scratcher.🤔

J.D. Snyder

2y↑1

I've long wondered how well this great song did on the charts. Thank you for your info! As a Motowner, I knew these Temptations weren't on the Motown label; I always liked the Four Tops and Smokey and the Miracles more than the Temps, all of whom were on Detroit's most famous label.

Bianca Bagnolet

5y↑2

c'est magnifique c'est tellement géniale merci ❤

Bobbalooie

5y↑13

Wow! Never heard this one. My given name is Barbara but I have never used it much. Nice song.

Philip Germani

My mom's name was Barbara. I was just a little kid when this was played on the radio. Always a favorite.

Delta fromuKnow

I've never heard this a day in my life...❤️🥰😍😇

happiness will come :)

2y↑5

my name is barbara and omg the things i would do to have someone sing this song to me

Ben Gone

6y↑10

Outstanding classic doowoop.

Barbara Nordan

4y↑11

How have I never heard this! 28 years with this name and know one has ever sent this to me.

Barry Wayne

2y↑2

Never heard this song on the west coast. Then local oldies station played it one Saturday night in the 80's. Never knew were 2 groups with same name, temptations. Out of flushing NY

Ronald Griffis

3y↑1

I Love this song, I had a girlfriend with the
name BARBARA. That was years ago.
Yes, I am married for the past fifty years and I Love my wife.
But to this day I still love Barbara and always will
I seen her not long ago at the airport,
My Heart dropped into my shoes.
If I could turn back the hands of time.I
would have married her.

Jerry Schuller

1y↑1

I dated a girl in high school named Barbara and this was our song.

Scooter Ahlers

3y↑1

So proud that at least ONE doo wop group came from MY neighborhood of Flushing, Queens - still living there even though it's become heavily Chinese & Korean in recent decades.

pyrosteria98

4y↑5

Rest In Peace to my grandma Barbara, 1938-2020

lori

i am so sorry for your loss. i recently lost my great grandmother who’s name was also barbara. it will be hard but it gets better, i promise.

Delta fromuKnow

😇... If you love her, Follow in her footsteps, like a recipe for your favorite carrot cake or something... You'll walk her path again... Peace and one love, From the Delta of A Thousand Suns Across Unknown Seas...🥰❤️

I Knit2

Beautiful : )

Chris Angulo

Beautiful song

Dan M

3y↑3

Manny, I learned something today. Thank you for that. I heard this song this morning on Music Choice. Knew right away this wasn't the Eddie Kendrick, David Ruffin Temps. Even though the fun facts on the screen were telling us the The Temptations were originally called 'The Primes'. MC obviously had their 'facts' confused.

Billy Oltmann

3y↑1

I was 19 years old ! Loved this song ! Chas.,SC

Steve52344

I was 16. SIXTEEN.

Mike Mangan

when I began in radio in 1962 this was called BOSS SOLID GOLD!

ronaldt491

6y↑4

Heard this first time this weekend on local cable My Choice music program. Of course the trivia accompanying the song was all about the Motown group. You would think someone there would know the difference and catch the mistake. Also you might think when the Motown group was looking for a name (The Testicles??) Someone somewhere would have heard of this group and suggested avoiding the Temptations as a name for the new group. Maybe the group themselves should have said something. "Hey guys. We're the Temptations. You can't use our name!" Their manager or Dick Clark should have caught the error!

Marcus Bell

5y↑2

I'm a fan of the Motown Temptations and in a interview Eddie Kendricks singer of just my imagination said something about this group and this song and it seems someone at Motown bought or took this name and gave it to them they. I understanding the movie lied about them coming up with that name they were the Eligns and i believe someone else had that name.

George Hughes

The name was not registered

Berry Waller

4y↑1

I had always heard that The Motown Temptations started their musical lives as The Primes while The Supremes were The Primettes.B.W.

Steve52344

49w

Total and irrefutable time travel to 1960 and afternoons of my soon-to-have-a girlfriend high school youth.

Bob P

7y↑11

"...we will walk together through loves sacred door...."

Judy Paden

Happy birthday and many more still good memories love and hugs Judy

Mary Robinson

3y↑1

Nice Song Handsome guys!!!

doowoplvr

5y↑2

Sammy Schwartz of Creston Ave.in The Bronx, played this song relentlessly, I think he had a girlfriend named Barbara....I had to go out and buy this 45 and play it louder than him, he had a thing for The Passions too....I wonder where Sammy and Elliott his brother are now, they were neighbors of mine.

Chris Mulwee

I call these guys "The Other" Temptatiions. Just like The "Other" Ray Charles, leader of The Ray Charles Singers.

The ATL Angry Scratcher

A rep from motown records remembered this group name and gave it to the Temptations this is quoted by David Ruffin in and interview in 89 or 90

Scott Furtney

Name stolen

kjchicago1

2y↑1

Don’t Confuse these guys(New York Vocal Group)From the well-known Motown Detroit group of the same name

Jesse H

4y↑7

I'm dating a barbara!

Pat Sonnek

4y↑6

I'm an agent for TurboTax. I just helped the songwriter with his taxes. Awesome song. It's a small world

louis jacobs

One of the songwriters was Artie Ripp, my cousin, from Maspeth, Queens

barbara kaufman

2y↑1

finally a song with my name

John ONeill

I thought the tinkling piano made the record. Was the piano player named Sam Eddy? If anybody knows, please get back to me.

Babs Mckenzie

Cool ♥️👍😂

Bill locurto

5y↑4

CLASSIC DOO WOP

ItsInTheGrooves

4y↑3

If Barbara were a tree?? Wow, no Smokey Robinson's writing for these Temptations!!

coyotesong

4y↑1

LOL!!!!

bob CORCORAN

4y↑1

i think the ROYAL TEENS DID THIS SONG ON THE FLIT SIDE OF THERE HIT SHORT SHORTS

RaxOldies

Close. bob..the flip of Short Shorts was called Planet Rock, but a little later that same year they did a song called Believe Me that was basically the same as this song (Barbara)...good catch !!
https://youtu.be/vAK04ktLzCk

Barbara Troia

8y↑26

My fiance loves this since my name is Barbara - he goes around work singing parts of it

Barbara Miskiv

6y↑5

Barbara Troia I'm Barbara too. 😄

Assia Vladimirovna

4y↑3

Same ;)

1 More Replies...

VIETNAM COMBAT VETERAN

4y↑2

nice full stereo cut )

William schlenger

6y↑6

So many girls names were in songs.Not any more😎

Max Savage

Is Joe Scarpa singing Lead here?

john sullivan

My favorite girl song

B Horne

What temptations are these?!!! TF?!!!!😂

RockLives4u

5y↑4

Thought these guys were from Bayside, NY not next door Flushing NY

louis jacobs

Maspeth, queens, n.y.

louis jacobs

Maspeth, queens

RockLives4u

Artie Ripp, and Artie Maren both Bayside and went to Bayside HS.

RockLives4u

Artie Ripp, and Artie Maren both Bayside and went to Bayside HS.

Barbara Greason

Is this truly this groups name the Temptations

louis jacobs

First group using this name

bluenote824 jones

4y↑1

I also saw them on clay Cole ????

Robert Isidore

6y↑8

The New York Temptation"s

Savadorason1

7y↑9

-I see somebody confused a white group for the Temptations, but whoever this group is I'm sure they made nice songs too.

dogman780

6y↑5

Savadorason1 this white group temptations came a few years before the black group temptations.

IBM Shellz

These are the original temptations

Paul Ashton

1y↑1

Try fickle little girl good song aswell

Alfred Taylor

I like this how is she

Susan Waites

2y↑1

My Little Baby Sister

Barbara Proctor

1y↑1

Paul love🎉😢😮😅

Musiclover60

7y↑5

Well duh of course they're not the African American group they're black these guys were white big difference

Marcus Bell

@hillary ilinsky dude you really think whites don't get credit for anything try being black through modern history.

hillary ilinsky

@Marcus Bell you're right up until the last five or so years. black artists were screwed by record co.'s ,often left with nothing. that was horrible. but now some lesser black artist are getting too much credit for songs that were average at best.

louis jacobs

The original "Temptations" from Queens, n.y. as opposed to the Four Temptations.

1 More Replies...

Barbara Proctor

1y↑1

Not😮😢🎉

Barbara Proctor

1y↑1

I'm not😮😅

Barbara Nickles

That's me

Barbara Proctor

1y↑1

I'm not😢

Donald Shatz

Yuh

Barbara Proctor

1y↑1

I'm not😅

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