Bettye Swann facts for kids

Bettye Swann (born Betty Jean Champion on October 24, 1944), also known as Betty Barton, is an American soul singer. She is famous for her 1967 hit song "Make Me Yours".

Bettye Swann's Music Career

Bettye Swann was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on October 24, 1944. She was one of 14 children! She grew up in Arcadia, Louisiana, and then moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1963. Bettye sang with a trio called The Fawns in Arcadia before starting her solo career.

In 1964, Bettye began singing on her own. A local DJ named Al Scott suggested she change her name to Bettye Swann. He also became her manager. Her first small hit was a song she wrote herself, called "Don’t Wait Too Long."

Her Big Hit Song

Bettye's biggest success came with the song "Make Me Yours". This song became a number one hit on the Billboard R&B chart in July 1967. It also reached No. 21 on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1968, Bettye Swann signed a new contract with Capitol Records. She had another hit song in 1969. It was her version of "Don't Touch Me" by Jeannie Seely. This song reached No. 14 on the R&B chart and No. 38 on the Hot 100.

Later Years in Music

In 1972, Bettye Swann moved to Atlantic Records. She had a couple more smaller hits. These included "Victim of a Foolish Heart" and "Today I Started Loving You Again". She continued to record music until the mid-1970s. However, these songs were not as successful. Her last public performance was in 1980.

Bettye Swann later changed her name to Betty Barton. She became a teacher in the Las Vegas area. She also became a Jehovah's Witness. She has since retired.

Bettye Swann's Songs Today

Even though Bettye Swann stopped performing, her music is still enjoyed today!

• In 2015, parts of her 1974 song "Kiss My Love Goodbye" were used in the Galantis song "Peanut Butter Jelly".
• In 2019, her song "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" was featured. It was the closing song in the finale of the TV show The End of the F***ing World.
• In 2021, a rapper named Subtex used parts of her 1968 song "(My Heart Is) Closed for the Season" in his track "Love Art Pain."
• In 2023, her song "Little Things Mean A Lot" was used in a commercial for the Volvo EX30 car.

Bettye Swann's Music Albums

• 1967: Make Me Yours (Money)
• 1969: The Soul View Now (Capitol) - R&B #48
• 1969: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me (Capitol)
• 1990: Sweet Dreams (Capitol)
• 2001: The Money Recordings (Kent)
• 2004: Bettye Swann (Astralwerks/Honest Jon's)
• 2014: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (Rhino)
• 2015: The Very Best of Bettye Swann (Kent)

Bettye Swann's Hit Singles