b. Betty Jean Champion (a.k.a. Betty Barton), 24th October 1944, Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.A.
d. 25th January 2023, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Bettye Swann was originally a member of the high school group, the Fawns.
She began a solo career in 1964 releasing 'Don't Wait Too Long' b/w 'What Is My Life Coming To' for the Money Records imprint.
The following year she released the singles 'The Man That Said No' b/w 'What Can It Be' and 'The Heartache Is Gone' b/w 'Our Love'.
make me yours - 1967 / the soul view now - 1969
Her biggest hit was the 1967 single 'Make Me Yours' b/w 'I Will Not Cry', which was the title of the parent album.
The same year she released 'Fall In Love With Me' b/w 'Lonely Love', 'Don't Look Back' b/w 'You Gave Me Love', and 'I Think I'm Falling in Love' b/w 'Don't Take My Mind'.
Bettye then left the Money label and relocated to the Capitol imprint.
There she released 'My Heart Is Closed for the Season' b/w 'I'm Lonely For You'.
don't you ever get tired (of hurting me)? - 1969 / bettye swann - 2004
She released a second album entitled 'The Soul View Now', followed the same year by 'Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me?' b/w 'Willie And Laura Mae Jones' in 1969, which featured 'Little Things Mean a Lot' b/w 'Just Because You Can't Be Mine'.
Bettye released some sides for the Fame imprint in 1971, including 'I'm Just Living a Lie' b/w 'I Can't Let You Break My Heart'.
Bettye then relocated to the Atlantic label, releasing 'Victim of a Foolish Heart' b/w 'Cold Day (In Hell)', which climbed the R&B Top 20 in 1972.
A follow-up single called 'I'd Rather Go Blind' also featured the song 'Today I Started Loving You Again'.
In 1973 she released 'Yours Until Tomorrow', which was flipped with Tammy Wynette's song 'Til I Get It Right'.
The following year she released 'The Boy Next Door' b/w 'Kiss My Love Goodbye'.
1975's 'All the Way In or All the Way Out' b/w 'Doing For The One I Love', proved to be one of her final releases.
1975 saw the duet release with Sam Dees for Big Tree Records, entitled 'Storybook Children' b/w 'Just As Sure' (the latter becoming a sought after rare groove tune).
When her singing career finished, Bettye went on to become a school teacher in Nevada.
Bettye died in January 2023.
Albums:
Make Me Yours (Money Records 1967)
The Soul View Now! (Money Records 1968)
Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)? (Capitol Records 1969)
Bettye Swann (Capitol Records 2004)
