Barbara Jean Acklin (February 28, 1943 – November 27, 1998)[1][2][3] was an American soul singer and songwriter, who was most successful in the 1960s and 1970s.

One of her songs, "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)", which she had co-written with David Scott, formerly of The Five Du-Tones, was recorded by Jackie Wilson and became his biggest hit for three years, reaching no.

They co-wrote the Peaches and Herb hit "Two Little Kids", before Record and Davis co-wrote and produced Acklin's first and biggest solo hit, "Love Makes a Woman"; the other co-writers were arranger Sonny Sanders and guitarist Gerald Sims.

The instrumental backing track of "Am I the Same Girl", with piano replacing Acklin's vocal, became a bigger hit when released as "Soulful Strut" by Young-Holt Unlimited.

[7] Acklin also released several albums on the Brunswick label: Love Makes a Woman (1968), Seven Days of Night (1969), Someone Else's Arms (1970), I Did It (1971), and I Call It Trouble (1973).

[8] She continued to tour as a solo artist and as a backing singer for the Chi-Lites, Tyrone Davis, and other acts.

In 1980, she made some recordings for Carl Davis' Chi-Sound label and contributed backing vocals to Otis Clay's album The Gospel Truth (1993).

[citation needed] She had begun recording a new album in 1998, when she fell ill and died from pneumonia at the age of 55 in Omaha, Nebraska.

She was survived by her son, Marcus White, her daughter, Samotta Acklin, and her godson, Elliot Myrick.