Barbara Lewis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barbara Lewis
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Barbara Lewis in 1966
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Barbara Ann Lewis |
| Born | February 9, 1943 Salem, Michigan, United States |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | R&B/Soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1962–2017 |
| Labels | Atlantic |
Barbara Ann Lewis, born on February 9, 1943, is an American singer and songwriter. Her smooth singing style had a big impact on rhythm and blues music.
Contents
Barbara Lewis's Music Journey
Early Life and First Songs
Barbara Lewis was born in Salem, Michigan, USA. She started writing and recording music when she was a teenager. She worked with a record producer named Ollie McLaughlin. He was a DJ at a radio station in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In 1962, Barbara released her first song, "My Heart Went Do Dat Da." It was a fast-paced song. While it wasn't a national hit, it became very popular in the Detroit area.
Big Hits and Famous Songs
Barbara wrote all the songs on her first album. One of these songs was the famous "Hello Stranger." This song became a huge hit in 1963, reaching number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It featured a lot of Hammond organ music.
After "Hello Stranger," she had other successful songs. These included "Straighten Up Your Heart" and her own song, "Puppy Love." Later, a producer named Bert Berns helped her create another big hit, "Baby I'm Yours." This song was written by Van McCoy and reached number 11 in the US.
Bert Berns also produced "Make Me Your Baby," which also reached number 11. Barbara's last song to make it into the Top 40 was "Make Me Belong to You" in 1966. This song was written by Chip Taylor and Billy Vera.
Later Career and Recognition
Towards the end of the 1960s, Barbara released an album with a more raw sound on Stax Records.
Many other artists later found success with Barbara's songs. Her song "Hello Stranger" was re-recorded by the Capitols in 1966. In 1977, Yvonne Elliman's version of "Hello Stranger" became a Top 20 hit in the US. It also topped the US Easy Listening chart for four weeks.
In 1985, Carrie Lucas had a Top 20 R&B hit with her version of "Hello Stranger." In 2004, Queen Latifah also covered "Hello Stranger" for her album.
Barbara Lewis stepped away from the public eye for many years after her career slowed down. In 1977, after Yvonne Elliman's hit, she was found by Casey Kasem for his radio show. She was hoping to be rediscovered in Michigan.
Due to health reasons, Barbara Lewis stopped singing in 2017.
Songs Covered by Other Artists
Barbara's song "Baby I'm Yours" was also recorded by country singers Jody Miller and Debby Boone. In Canada, Suzanne Stevens had a hit in 1975 with a disco version of "Make Me Your Baby." Even in the new millennium, her songs are still being covered. For example, the Arctic Monkeys included "Baby I'm Yours" as a B-side to one of their songs in 2006.
Music in Movies and TV
Barbara Lewis's songs have been featured in popular films and TV shows.
- In 1995, "Baby I'm Yours" was in the movie The Bridges of Madison County.
- In 2016, "Hello Stranger" was featured in the movie Moonlight.
- In 2019, "Hello Stranger" was used in the final episode of the British TV series Giri/Haji.
Awards and Honors
In 1999, Barbara Lewis received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. This award honors artists who have made important contributions to rhythm and blues music. In 2016, Barbara Lewis was honored by being inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.
Barbara Lewis's Albums and Singles
Studio Albums
- Hello Stranger (1963)
- Snap Your Fingers (1964)
- Baby, I'm Yours (1965)
- It's Magic (1966)
- Workin' on a Groovy Thing (1968)
- The Many Grooves of Barbara Lewis (1970)
Chart Singles
- "Hello Stranger" – May 1963 – US No. 3, US R&B No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
- "Straighten Up Your Heart" – August 1963 – US No. 43
- "Puppy Love" – January 1964 – US No. 38
- "Baby I'm Yours" – June 1965 – US No. 11
- "Make Me Your Baby" – September 1965 – US No. 11
- "Don't Forget About Me" – January 1966 – US No. 91
- "Make Me Belong to You" – July 1966 – US No. 28
- "Baby What Do You Want Me to Do" – October 1966 – US No. 74
- "I'll Make Him Love Me" – April 1967 – US No. 72
Other Noteworthy Songs
- "My Heart Went Do Dat Da"
- "My Mama Told Me"
- "Think a Little Sugar"
- "How Can I Say Goodbye"
- "Spend a Little Time"
- "Someday We're Gonna Love Again"
- "Pushin' a Good Thing Too Far"
- "I Remember the Feeling"
- "Thankful for What I Got"
- "Sho' Nuff (It's Got to Be Your Love)"
- "Love Makes the World Go Round"
- "On Bended Knee"
See also
In Spanish: Barbara Lewis para niños
