I think this song is about losing touch with someone you used to be close to because they've changed. In this case, it seems like "Barbara" is trying to find herself, and that's why she's drifted away from the people she used to know.
"Don't you know her when you see her?
She grew up in your backyard"
This line has two meanings to me. It's referring to Barbara, and how she's someone he's known all his life but still doesn't recognize her, but I think it's also saying to the listener, "You know the kind of person I'm talking about." I think everyone has a Barbara Lewis in their life, someone who changed so much that it's hard to believe they're the same person.
I think this song is about losing touch with someone you used to be close to because they've changed. In this case, it seems like "Barbara" is trying to find herself, and that's why she's drifted away from the people she used to know.
"Don't you know her when you see her? She grew up in your backyard"
This line has two meanings to me. It's referring to Barbara, and how she's someone he's known all his life but still doesn't recognize her, but I think it's also saying to the listener, "You know the kind of person I'm talking about." I think everyone has a Barbara Lewis in their life, someone who changed so much that it's hard to believe they're the same person.