Barbara Lynn is an American blues singer and songwriter. She is best known for her chart-topping R&B hit, “You’ll Lose a Good Thing”. In 2018 she was honored with a National Heritage Fellowship. Read on to learn about Lynn’s life and career.
Moby sampled Lynn’s “I’m a Good Woman”
The ’60s soul icon Barbara Lynn influenced many other musicians, including Moby, who sampled her song “I’m a Good Woman” on his album 18, “Bernard’s Last Stand.” Lynn’s influence can be seen throughout popular culture today, from rock and pop to electronica.
Lynn, who was born on 16 January 1942, was influenced by many different artists of the time, including Blues singers Jimmy Reed and Guitar Slim. Her debut single, “You’ll Lose a Good Thing”, reached the top of the US Billboard R&B chart and also made the Top 10 in the pop chart. She also worked with artists like Ike Turner, Sam Cooke, and Carla Thomas. She was a sought-after performer and appeared on American Bandstand twice. She also played multiple shows at the Apollo Theater.
Lynn was a key figure in the Gulf Coast R&B sound. In 1965, she recorded her song “Oh Baby,” which was sampled by The Rolling Stones on their album “Now!”
Lynn was a U.S. federal judge
Barbara Lynn was nominated by President Bill Clinton to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in 2000. Before her nomination, Lynn worked as a lawyer at Carrington Coleman and later became a partner. She and her husband, Mike, practiced law at separate firms, but they rarely represented the same clients in court. Her career at Carrington Coleman grew, and she often defended large companies in employment lawsuits while representing plaintiffs in other cases. She subsequently served as a U.S. Representative and was nominated by President Clinton to the federal bench.
Lynn served as the first woman chief judge of her district, and she received lifetime tenure as part of her appointment. The life tenure requirement was created to protect judges from having to step down because of unpopular rulings. It also protects judges from political pressure to be politically neutral, and the possibility of being removed from their post.
She was a rhythm and blues guitarist
Barbara Lynn was an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. She is best known for the R&B chart-topping hit “You’ll Lose a Good Thing.” In 2018, she was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship. This honor recognizes her contributions to American music and culture.
Lynn’s career began in the 1950s. She recorded for various labels and wrote most of her own material. Her signature song “You’ll Lose a Good Thing” was released in 1962, and she also performed it on the Rolling Stones’ 1964 LP “Oh Baby.” Lynn has been performing since 1986 and has a new album coming out this year, Hot Night Tonight.
Since 1962, Lynn has been at the forefront of Texas R&B music. She has been dubbed the Empress of Gulf Coast Soul because of her fiery guitar style, soulful singing voice, and original songwriting. She was the first female guitarist to be featured on television. She uses a thumb pick to play percussive-like lead melodies. Her contributions to the music industry have made her a household name.
She wrote songs with Huey Lewis
Barbara Lynn began writing songs in high school and recorded her first single, “You’ll Lose a Good Thing,” when she was only seventeen. She was discovered by Louisiana producer Huey P. Meaux, who ran SugarHill Recording Studios. The duo co-wrote and recorded the tune, which became a hit single, hitting the top of the R&B chart and making the Billboard Top 10. Her most well-known songs were “Crazy,” “Love Me to Pieces,” and “Sweet Little Girl.”
Barbara Lynn’s 1966 version of “You Left the Water Running” reached the top forty-two spot on the Billboard Top Selling R&B singles chart, and was covered by Otis Redding. She signed with Atlantic Records in 1968. In the 1970s, she married for the first time. She had three children, and then retired from the music industry. She occasionally played in small clubs in Los Angeles. She also released a few singles on small labels.
Lynn’s recording career took a while to get off the ground. Her first solo album was not released until 1989. She later recorded twelve studio albums and one live album. Her recordings include blues cover songs and her own original compositions. She has also collaborated with such artists as Clarence Green, Little Milton, Tina Turner, Jackie Wilson, and Johnny Copeland. Lynn has also toured Europe, playing blues festivals like the Lucerne Blues Festival and the Notodden Blues Festival.