What's the Matter with You Baby

"What's the Matter with You Baby" is a 1964 single written by William "Mickey" Stevenson, Clarence Paul, and Barney Ales and produced by Stevenson. It was recorded and released by Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells on the Motown label.[1][2] Released as a double A-side single alongside "Once Upon a Time", the song gave Gaye and Wells another charted smash.

"What's the Matter with You Baby"
Single by Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells
from the album Together
A-side"Once Upon a Time"
Released1964
RecordedHitsville USA, Detroit, Michigan; 1963
GenreRhythm and blues
Length2:24
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)William "Mickey" Stevenson
Clarence Paul
Barney Ales
Producer(s)Mickey Stevenson

Background

The song has Gaye and Wells going back and forth with Gaye apologizing to Wells for leaving her behind for someone else begging Wells to give him one more chance. At first, Wells says taking Gaye back would "hurt (her) pride" and that she cannot let him take her out for the night but after Gaye pleads for Wells to come back to him, Wells relents but still passes on him taking her out for the night. The song begins and ends with the two harmonizing together.

Chart performance

It peaked at number nineteen on the U.S. Pop Singles chart when released.[3][2] On Cash Box "Top 50 in R&B Locations", the song went to number two.[4]

Personnel

References
  1. What's the Matter with You Baby at Discogs
  2. The Complete Motown Singles Vol 4: 1964 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records.
  3. Allmusic review
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 225.


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