Baby, I Love You
"Baby, I Love You" | |
---|---|
Song | |
B-side | "Miss Joan And Mr. Sam" |
"Baby, I Love You" is a song originally recorded by The Ronettes in 1963 and released on their debut album Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes (1964). The song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector, and produced by Spector.
Released in November 1963, the single reached number 24 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cashbox Top 100 charts, and peaked at number 11 on the UK Pop Chart.[1] Billboard ranked the song as number 56 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.[2]
Original recording
After their lack of success under contract to Colpix Records between 1961 and 1963, the Ronettes ended their Colpix contract and signed with Phil Spector's Philles Records in early 1963. During their first few months with Phil Spector, the Ronettes achieved mainstream success with the release of "Be My Baby" in August 1963, which climbed to number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number one on the Cashbox Hot 100. It was the success of "Be My Baby" which had Spector eager to do a follow-up for the Ronettes in the fall of 1963.
However, a problem arose when the Ronettes were booked to appear on Dick Clark's "Caravan of Stars" tour across the country.[3]
Phil Spector decided to keep lead singer Ronnie Bennett in California to record "Baby, I Love You" while the other two Ronettes, Estelle Bennett and Nedra Talley, went out on the tour with Dick Clark. Ronnie's cousin, Elaine, took her place on the tour while Ronnie recorded the song at Gold Star Studios in California.[3] Since the other Ronettes were unavailable for recording, Spector used Darlene Love and Cher to complete the backing vocals.[4] The song also featured Leon Russell on piano. "Baby, I Love You" peaked at number 11 in the UK during January 1964, at a time when the Ronettes were touring the UK as the support act to the Rolling Stones.
The song was featured on the album Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes, which was released at the end of 1964.
The song was also on the soundtrack of the film, Nine Months.
Personnel
- Lead vocals by Ronnie Bennett
- Background vocals by Cher and The Blossoms (Darlene Love, Fanita James, and Gracia Nitzsche)
- Instrumentation by The Wrecking Crew
Chart history
Chart (1964) | Peak position |
---|---|
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[5] | 24 |
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[6] | 6 |
U.S. Cashbox Hot 100[7] | 24 |
UK Singles Chart (Official Charts Company)[8] | 11 |
Andy Kim version
"Baby, I Love You" | |
---|---|
Song | |
B-side | "Gee Girl" |
Andy Kim recorded the song for Jeff Barry's record label Steed Records on his album Baby I Love You (1969). Kim's version became a US Top Ten hit, reaching number nine in 1969 and earned a gold record.
Chart history
Weekly charts
Chart (1969) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia KMR | 15 |
Canada RPM Top Singles[9] | 1 |
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary [10] | 24 |
New Zealand (Listener)[11] | 16 |
US Billboard Hot 100[12] | 9 |
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[13] | 31 |
US Cash Box Top 100[14] | 6 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1969) | Rank |
---|---|
Canada RPM Top Singles [15] | 11 |
US Billboard Hot 100[16] | 28 |
US Cash Box [17] | 44 |
Ramones version
"Baby, I Love You" | |
---|---|
Song |
Phil Spector produced the Ramones' cover version of the song which appeared on their album, End of the Century (1980). This single reached number 8 in the UK Singles Chart in 1980.
Other versions
- Dave Edmunds released a version of the song in December 1972 which reached number eight in the United Kingdom in 1973.
- Terry Reid recorded a version for his album Rogue Waves (1979)
- Cher
- Tommy Roe
- Linda Ronstadt
- Bad Boys Blue
In media
In 2009, the song was used in a TV commercial for the drug Cialis.
References
- ^ Spector, Ronnie (2004). Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, or My Life As a Fabulous Ronette. New York: New American Library. p. 330. ISBN 0-451-41153-6.
- ^ "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks". Billboard. July 10, 2017. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ a b Spector, Ronnie (2004). Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, or My Life As a Fabulous Ronette. New York: New American Library. p. 72. ISBN 0-451-41153-6.
- ^ Spector, Ronnie (2004). Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, or My Life As a Fabulous Ronette. New York: New American Library. ISBN 0-451-41153-6.
- ^ "Hot 100 - Billboard", Billboard, retrieved February 4, 2018
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart - Billboard", Billboard, retrieved February 10, 2018
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Cashbox Magazine Hot 100 - week ending February 1, 1964". Cashbox. Archived from the original on August 28, 2011.
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suggested) (help) - ^ UK Official Singles Chart, UK Official Charts Company, January 15, 1964, retrieved August 22, 2018
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suggested) (help) - ^ "RPM Weekly Top Singles". Library and Archives Canada. RPM Weekly (archived). August 9, 1969. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "RPM Weekly Adult Contemporary August 16, 1969 (Volume 11, No. 26)". Library and Archives Canada. RPM Weekly (archived). Retrieved February 9, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ [ Flavour of New Zealand, 29 August 1969]
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. __.
- ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, August 16, 1969
- ^ http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.6104&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062
- ^ "Billboard Year-End Hot 100 chart". musicoutfitters.com. Billboard. 1969. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 27, 1969
- 1963 songs
- 1963 singles
- 1969 singles
- 1972 singles
- 1980 singles
- Songs written by Phil Spector
- Songs written by Jeff Barry
- Songs written by Ellie Greenwich
- The Ronettes songs
- Andy Kim songs
- Ramones songs
- Song recordings produced by Phil Spector
- Philles Records singles
- Sire Records singles
- Rock ballads
- Pop ballads
- Dave Edmunds songs