Tobi Lark (born Bessie Grace Gupton on March 23, 1941) is an American-born Canadian soul and gospel singer whose powerful voice and emotional performances have made her a standout figure in the music world. With a rich career spanning decades, she has made a significant impact on both the gospel and soul music scenes, earning recognition for her distinctive sound and commanding presence. Tobi Lark's early exposure to music came through gospel, which was a significant part of her upbringing. She grew up surrounded by the rich traditions of church music, and it was there that her natural singing talent began to shine. However, it wasn’t long before she began to branch out, blending the emotional depth of gospel with the raw energy and passion of soul music. In the early 1960s, she relocated to Canada, where she became a prominent figure in the Canadian music scene. She gained attention for her vocal range and soulful delivery, with her music often weaving between powerful gospel harmonies and the groove-driven, heartfelt expressions of soul music. Her versatility allowed her to appeal to both gospel and secular audiences, and she quickly built a reputation for her dynamic performances. Tobi Lark is perhaps best known for her work during the 1960s and 1970s, releasing singles like "Challenge My Love" (1966) and "We're All in This Together", which became a Top 40 hit in 1970 in Canada. Her 1968 record "Time Will Pass You By" became a northern soul classic, as did much of her oeuvre. In 2025, her song "True True Love" was revived for the northern soul short film Dean Chalkey's Good For The Soul.
