Howard Ellington Riddiford Barnes (1 November 1909 – 28 December 1991), sometimes known as "Boogie" Barnes, was an English popular song lyricist. Born in Fulham, London, Barnes initially pursued a career in football, playing as an amateur for Wimbledon F.C. and later for Crystal Palace F.C. in the 1934/35 season. After a brief return to Wimbledon, he joined Charlton F.C. in 1937. His football career was cut short in 1941 when he was injured in an air raid in London, resulting in the amputation of one leg.

Following his injury, Barnes transitioned to a career as a lyricist, credited with almost 200 songs according to BMI. He found early success through a writing partnership with Harry Fields and Joe Roncoroni under the pseudonym John Jerome. Together with composer Bernard Grun, they penned "Broken Wings," which became a number one hit in Britain in 1953 for The Stargazers. Using the pseudonym Milton Carson, Barnes and his collaborators wrote "My Love and Devotion," which won the Most Outstanding Song, Musically and Lyrically, at the 1963 Ivor Novello Awards. Other notable songs by the trio include "A Blossom Fell" and "Tulips and Heather."

Barnes is also credited with the advertising line "Murray Mint, Murray Mint, the too good to hurry mint," featured in the Stargazers' song "Sorry, You'll Have To Wait." In his later years, Barnes frequently collaborated with composer and arranger Cliff Adams. Howard Barnes passed away in Bromley in 1991 at the age of 82.