Baby It's You

"Baby It's You" is a song written by Burt Bacharach (music), Luther Dixon (credited as Barney Williams),[1] and Mack David (lyrics). It was recorded by the Shirelles and the Beatles, and was a hit for both. The highest-charting version of "Baby It's You" was by the band Smith, who took the song to number five on the US charts in 1969.[2]

This article is about the song. For other uses, see Baby It's You (disambiguation).

"Baby It's You"
Single by the Shirelles
from the album Baby It's You
B-side"The Things I Want to Hear (Pretty Words)"
Released1961 (1961)
Recorded1960
StudioBell Sound, New York City
Length2:42
LabelScepter
Composer(s)Burt Bacharach
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)Luther Dixon
The Shirelles singles chronology
"Big John (Ain't You Gonna Marry Me)"
(1961)		 "Baby It's You"
(1961)		 "Soldier Boy"
(1962)

The Shirelles' original version

The song was produced by Luther Dixon. When released as a single in 1961, it became a Top 10 smash on the Pop and R&B Charts, reached number three on the R&B chart and peaked at number eight on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.[3] It later appeared on the album Baby It's You, named to capitalize upon the success of the single. The vocal arrangements on this version proved influential in subsequent versions, including that by the Beatles, who used the same one. One notable feature of the song is its minor-to-major key chord changes on the verses.

The Beatles version
"Baby It's You"
Sheet music cover
Song by the Beatles
from the album Please Please Me
Released
RecordedFebruary 11 & 20, 1963
StudioEMI, London
GenreMerseybeat
Length2:40
LabelParlophone
Composer(s)Burt Bacharach
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)George Martin

English rock group the Beatles performed "Baby It's You" as part of their stage act from 1961 until 1963, and recorded it on February 11, 1963 for their first album, Please Please Me, along with "Boys", another song by the Shirelles.[4] American label Vee-Jay Records included it on Introducing... The Beatles and Songs, Pictures and Stories of the Fabulous Beatles. Capitol included it on The Early Beatles. The Beatles' version differs to the Shirelles' by repeating the second verse instead of the first.[5]

A live version was released on Live at the BBC in 1994. On this version, Lennon does not repeat part of the second verse after the solo (as he did on the studio version), but repeats part of the first verse, which is the way the Shirelles sang the song.[6] The song was issued as a CD single and a vinyl single in 1995 in both the UK and the US, the Beatles' first in nearly a decade. Both versions have four tracks, making it an EP instead of a regular issue single. The three additional tracks, while from BBC recordings, did not appear on Live at the BBC. Tracks 2 and 4 were later included on On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2, but this recording of track 3 remains unique to this release. The single reached number seven in the UK and number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.

1995 release track listing

  1. "Baby It's You" (Bacharach/David/Williams) – 2:45
  2. "I'll Follow the Sun" (Lennon–McCartney) – 1:51
  3. "Devil in Her Heart" (Drapkin) – 2:23
  4. "Boys" (Dixon/Farrell) – 2:29

Music video

A live music video was released in 1994 to promote the single. It consisted of a combination of the Beatles dancing and still photographs, and was later included on a DVD or Blu-ray that comes with the 2015 release 1+.

Personnel

Charts
Chart (1995) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[7] 33
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 43
Denmark (IFPI)[9] 8
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[10] 17
Germany (Official German Charts)[11] 94
Ireland (IRMA)[12] 12
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] 44
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 30
Scotland (OCC)[15] 5
UK Singles (OCC)[16] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 67

Smith version

Smith's version appeared on their debut album, A Group Called Smith. The single was released on Dunhill Records (4206) in 1969. It was their first and most successful release. This version alters the traditional vocal arrangement as performed by the Shirelles and the Beatles in favor of a more belted, soulful vocal. The single hit number five on the Billboard Hot 100. The Smith version was used in Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof.[18]

References
  1. Dominic, Serene (2003). Burt Bacharach, Song by Song: The Ultimate Burt Bacharach Reference for Fans. Schirmer Trade Books. p. 69. ISBN 0-8256-7280-5.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 581.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 523.
  4. Mark Lewisohn, The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (London: The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, 1988, ISBN 0-681-03189-1), p. 24, 26
  5. All Together Now, the ABC of the Beatles' songs and albums by David Rowley
  6. "The Beatles Studio <> Lyrics <> Baby It's You (live at the BBC)". thebeatles.hk. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  7. "Australian-charts.com – The Beatles – Baby It's You". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  8. "Ultratop.be – The Beatles – Baby It's You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  9. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12 no. 15. April 15, 1995. p. 30. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  10. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12 no. 14. April 8, 1995. p. 22. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  11. "Offiziellecharts.de – The Beatles – Baby It's You". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  12. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Baby It's You". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  13. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Beatles – Baby It's You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  14. "Charts.nz – The Beatles – Baby It's You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  15. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  17. "The Beatles Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  18. McCown, Alex (September 3, 2015). "Quentin Tarantino's least-seen flick delivers one of his best music choices". The A.V. Club.
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