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Be My Baby

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This article is about the 1963 song. For other uses, see Be My Baby (disambiguation).
"Be My Baby"
Song
B-side"Tedesco and Pitman"

"Be My Baby" is a song by The Ronettes, released as a single in August 1963. Produced by Phil Spector, who composed the song with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, it is often cited as the ultimate embodiment of Spector's wall of sound production technique. One of the best-known and most enduring songs of its era, "Be My Baby" has has featured in numerous lists of songs considered the best. In 2004, the song was listed at #22 by Rolling Stone on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[1] 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. It has also been recognised as one of the most influential songs of all-time by Pitchfork, NME and Time.[2][3][4]

"Be my Baby" has had a substantial impact on popular music. Rolling Stone described the song as a "Rosetta stone for studio pioneers such as the Beatles and Brian Wilson". Allmusic critic Jason Ankeny said: "No less an authority than Brian Wilson has declared 'Be My Baby' the greatest pop record ever made — no arguments here."[5]

The song reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles Chart and #4 on the UK's Record Retailer.[6]

Composition

"Be My Baby" was recorded in the summer of 1963 at the Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles. The song was composed by the trio of Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich. Spector recorded a range of instruments including guitars, saxophones, multiple pianos, and horns with innovative studio mixing and over-dubbing. Spector described his approach as "a Wagnerian approach to rock & roll", which became known as the wall of sound.[7] "Be My Baby" was one of the first times Phil Spector used a full orchestra in his recording. 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. Guitars on the session were played by Tommy Tedesco and Bill Pitman, after whom the instrumental "Tedesco and Pitman" on the B-side of the single was named.[8]

"Be My Baby" was the first Ronettes song produced by Phil Spector released on his label, Philles Records. The group had already recorded a track by Greenwich and Barry called "Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love", but this was held back in favour of "Be My Baby".

Legacy and influence

Brian Wilson considers his song "Don't Worry Baby" by The Beach Boys to be the 'male answer' to this song.[9][10] Purportedly, at one time, Wilson is said to have listened to the song in excess of 100 times a day. Spector once said of Wilson: "I'd like to have a nickel for every joint he smoked trying to figure out how I got the 'Be My Baby' sound."[11]

Many critics have cited Hal Blaine's drum opening as highly influential. Many artists have mimicked the phrase, including The Four Seasons[12], Billy Joel[13] and Elvis Costello.

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 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, in an 1987 episode of the TV show Moonlighting, in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, in the episode "Ninth Grade Man" of The Wonder Years, in the end credits of the 2008 movie Baby Mama and in the 2012 movie "Tabu" by Miguel Gomes (English /Spanish version of "Be My Baby").

Chart Performance

"Be My Baby" was a commercial success. The single reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles Chart and #4 on the UK's Record Retailer. It also peaked at number four on the R&B chart.[14] The single sold more than two million copies in 1963.

Critical Reception

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."

Cover versions

The song has been covered many times: Tommy Roe, Andy Kim (a 1970 chart hit produced by Jeff Barry), John Lennon (whose version also was produced by Spector in 1973), Graham Bonnet, Johnny Goudie, The Lightning Seeds, the Bay City Rollers, Blue Öyster Cult, Mike Viola, Rachel Sweet, The Chipettes, The Bates, We Are Scientists, Psyched Up Janis, Nina Sky, Maroon 5, Glasvegas, Ivy, Teen Queens, Linda Ronstadt, Reparata and the Delrons, DM Stith, Ultima Thule, Jody Miller, Hey Ocean!, 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. The Dollyrots recorded a version for their 2004 album Eat My Heart Out.

Whigfield version

"Be My Baby"
Song

In 1999, Whigfield released her own version of "Be My Baby". The single was later featured on the album Whigfield III. A music video was shot in Barcelona.

References

  1. ^ "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". RollingStone.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/6405-the-200-greatest-songs-of-the-1960s/2/
  3. ^ http://www.nme.com/list/100-best-songs-of-the-1960s/263950/article/263983
  4. ^ "All-Time 100 Songs". Time. 2011-10-24.
  5. ^ Ankeny, Jason. ""Be My Baby" Song Review". allmusic.com.
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 500.
  7. ^ http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr07/articles/classictracks_0407.htm
  8. ^ "Phonograph Recording Contract" (PDF). The Wrecking Crew. American Federation of Musicians. Retrieved 30 June 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  9. ^ "Don't Worry Baby Songfacts". Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  10. ^ Mnookin, Seth. "Salon Music Interview". Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  11. ^ "BBC Press Office - Phil Spector Interview". Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  12. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/song/rag-doll-mt0030659175
  13. ^ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dFwV3oyy6Y8C&lpg=PA33&ots=icMzk6Ni5v&dq=joel&pg=PA34#v=onepage&q&f=false
  14. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 500.

External links

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