Barbara Lewis facts for kids

Barbara Ann Lewis (born February 9, 1943) is an American singer and songwriter. Her smooth singing style helped shape rhythm and blues music.

Barbara Lewis's Music Career

Barbara Lewis was born in Salem, Michigan, United States. She started writing and recording music when she was a teenager. She worked with record producer Ollie McLaughlin, who was a DJ at a radio station in Ann Arbor.

Her first song, "My Heart Went Do Dat Da," came out in 1962. It was a big local hit in the Detroit area. However, it did not become a national hit.

Her Big Hits

Barbara Lewis wrote all the songs on her first album, Hello Stranger. The song "Hello Stranger" became a huge hit. It reached number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 music chart. This song was known for its strong Hammond organ sound.

After "Hello Stranger," she had other popular songs. These included "Straighten Up Your Heart" and her own song "Puppy Love." Later, producer Bert Berns helped her create another million-selling hit, "Baby I'm Yours." This song was written by Van McCoy.

Berns also produced "Make Me Your Baby" and "Make Me Belong to You." These songs were also popular, reaching the Top 40 charts.

Later Years and Recognition

Towards the end of the 1960s, Barbara Lewis released a different-sounding album with Stax Records.

Many other artists later found success with Barbara's songs. Her song "Hello Stranger" was covered by Yvonne Elliman in 1977. Elliman's version became a Top 20 hit in the US and the UK. It also topped the US Easy Listening chart for four weeks. Other artists like Carrie Lucas and Queen Latifah also covered "Hello Stranger."

After her career slowed down in the 1960s, Barbara Lewis stayed out of the public eye for many years. In 1977, after Yvonne Elliman's hit, a radio host named Casey Kasem found her. She was hoping to be rediscovered in Michigan.

Health issues caused Barbara Lewis to stop singing in 2017.

Her song "Baby I'm Yours" was also covered by country singers Jody Miller and Debby Boone. In Canada, Suzanne Stevens had a hit with a disco version of "Make Me Your Baby." Even in the new millennium, bands like the Arctic Monkeys have covered "Baby I'm Yours."

Barbara Lewis's songs have also been featured in movies and TV shows. "Baby I'm Yours" was in the film The Bridges of Madison County (1995). "Hello Stranger" was featured in the film Moonlight (2016) and the British TV series Giri/Haji (2019).

In 1999, she received a special award called the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. In 2016, Barbara Lewis was honored by being added to the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

Discography

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, U.S. R&B No. 1 (2 weeks)
• "Straighten Up Your Heart" – August 1963 – U.S. No. 43
• "Puppy Love" – January 1964 – U.S. No. 38
• "Baby I'm Yours" – June 1965 – U.S. No. 11
• "Make Me Your Baby" – September 1965 – U.S. No. 11
• "Don't Forget About Me" – January 1966 – U.S. No. 91
• "Make Me Belong to You" – July 1966 – U.S. No. 28
• "Baby What Do You Want Me to Do" – October 1966 – U.S. No. 74
• "I'll Make Him Love Me" – April 1967 – U.S. No. 72

See also

In Spanish: Barbara Lewis para niños