Be My Baby

This article is about the 1963 song. For other uses, see Be My Baby (disambiguation).

"Be My Baby"
Song

"Be My Baby" is a 1963 single written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, performed by the Ronettes and produced by Spector. When released as a single, the song reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles Chart and #4 on the UK's Record Retailer. "Be My Baby" also peaked at number four on the R&B chart .

As sung by The Ronettes the song is #22 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 1999 it was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2006, the Library of Congress honored their version by adding it to the United States National Recording Registry.

Often cited as the ultimate embodiment of Spector's Wall of Sound, "Be My Baby" is one of the best-known and most enduring songs of its era. Critic Jason Ankeny writes, "No less an authority than Brian Wilson has declared 'Be My Baby' the greatest pop record ever made — no arguments here."

In her autobiography, lead vocalist Ronnie Spector relates that she was on tour with Joey Dee and the Starlighters when "Be My Baby" was introduced by Dick Clark on American Bandstand as the "Record of the Century."

The drums were played by Hal Blaine. Darlene Love and Sonny and Cher were part of the group of guests that provided additional backup vocals.

Legacy and influence

The song has been covered many times by artists including Andy Kim (a 1970 chart hit produced by Jeff Barry), John Lennon (who's version also was produced by Spector in 1973), Graham Bonnet,The Drones, Johnny Goudie, The Lightning Seeds, the Bay City Rollers, Blue Öyster Cult, We Are Scientists, Psyched Up Janis, Whigfield, Maroon 5, Glasvegas, Ivy, Linda Ronstadt, DM Stith, Ultima Thule, Charly Garcia for the album "Sinfonía para adolescentes (Symphonies for Teenagers)" (Sui Generis album), Jason Donovan for the album "Let It Be Me" (2008), Travis and Remi Nicole. Additionally, the opening beat has been appropriated by among others Asia for "Heat of the Moment", the Jesus and Mary Chain for their song "Just Like Honey", Camera Obscura for "Eighties Fan", Bat For Lashes for "What's a Girl To Do?", The Pipettes for "Sex", Deerhunter for "Vox Humana", Deerhunter guitarist Lockett Pundt's solo project, Lotus Plaza, for "Rain Down," Girls for "Ghost Mouth", and Owen Pallett for "Lewis Takes Action".

Brian Wilson considers his song "Don't Worry Baby" (performed by The Beach Boys) to be the 'male answer' to this song. Purportedly, at one time, Wilson is said to have listened to the song in excess of 100 times a day. In 1986, Eddie Money's "Take Me Home Tonight" included the lyrics "Just like Ronnie sang" and Ronnie Spector herself singing part of the chorus to "Be My Baby". Mutya Buena and Amy Winehouse recorded a derivative song "B Boy Baby" based around the chorus of the song, for Mutya's debut album Real Girl.

The song is played over the opening credits of the 1973 Martin Scorsese film, Mean Streets, and in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing.

Cover versions

Whigfield version

"Be My Baby"
Song

In 1999 Whigfield released her own version of Be My Baby. It was released in various parts of the world, for example in Germany, Australia, Spain, Scandinavia and South America. The single was later featured on the album Whigfield III. A music video was shot in Barcelona.

Releases

• Germany: CD-Maxi: ZYX Music

1. Be My Baby (Radio Cut)
2. Be My Baby (Edit House Mix)
3. Be My Baby (Extended House Mix)
4. Be My Baby (B.O.S. Mix)
5. Be My Baby (Tequila Dub)
6. Tu Seras Mi Baby (Spanish Version)

• Germany: CD-Maxi: ZYX Music

1. Be My Baby (Mark Perkins Radio Edit)

• Australian EP

1. Be My Baby (Radio Cut)
2. Be My Baby (Edit House Mix)
3. Be My Baby (Extended House Mix)
4. Be My Baby (BOS Mix)
5. Be My Baby (Tequila Dub)

• Other Versions

1. Tu Seras Mi Baby (Extended House Mix - Spanish)

External links

• Classic Tracks: The Ronettes 'Be My Baby'