“Be My Baby” is a popular song by the Ronettes, an American girl group. It came out as a single in August 1963 on Philles Records. The song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector, and it became the Ronettes’ biggest hit, reaching number 2 in the United States and number 4 in the United Kingdom.
The song is about a girl who wants to convince a guy she likes to give her a chance. She tells him that she’s liked him since they first met and believes they can be together forever.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the meaning behind the lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Be My Baby” Background
“Be My Baby” was the Ronettes’ first song produced by Phil Spector and released on his label, Philles Records.
Before this, Spector had produced seven hit songs. He discovered the Ronettes during an audition, consisting of Veronica (Ronnie) Bennett, her sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley. Phil was captivated by Veronica’s voice and wanted to sign the group to Philles. However, they were already under contract with Colpix Records, which had released some singles and an album that didn’t chart.
Only Veronica Bennett sang on “Be My Baby.” Phil Spector rehearsed her extensively, making her do 42 takes until he achieved the desired sound. Some believe that “Be My Baby” served as Spector’s way to express his love for Bennett. He and Bennett married in 1968 but divorced in 1974.
Darlene Love, who had collaborated with Spector, suggested that “Be My Baby” was a means for Spector to convey his affection for Ronnie.
“Be My Baby” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
The night we met I knew I needed you so
And if I had the chance I’d never let you go
So won’t you say you love me?
I’ll make you so proud of me
We’ll make ’em turn their heads every place we go
In Verse 1, the singer is describing the moment she first met someone special. She expresses that from the very beginning, she felt a strong need for this person and would never want to let him go.
The singer asks the person to confirm her love and promises to make him proud, adding that when they’re together, people will take notice and admire them.
[Chorus]
So won’t you, please (Be my, be my baby)
Be my little baby? (My one and only baby)
Say you’ll be my darlin’ (Be my, be my baby)
Be my baby now (My one and only baby)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh
In the chorus, the singer is asking the person she cares about to be in a romantic relationship with her.
She uses the phrase “Be my baby” to express her desire for this person to be her one and only love.
[Verse 2]
I’ll make you happy, baby, just wait and see
For every kiss you give me, I’ll give you three
Oh, since the day I saw you
I have been waiting for you
You know I will adore you ’til eternity
In Verse 2, the singer talks about her commitment to making the person she loves happy. She promises that for every kiss she receives, she will give three in return, showing her affection and devotion.
The lyrics convey that ever since she first saw this special person, she has been eagerly waiting for him. The singer expresses a strong, enduring love and a willingness to adore the person indefinitely.
[Chorus]
So c’mon and be (Be my, be my baby)
Be my little baby? (My one and only baby)
Say you’ll be my darlin’ (Be my, be my baby)
Be my baby now (My one and only baby)
Oh-oh-oh-oh
In the chorus, the singer is urging the man to come closer and be with her, saying “Be my, be my baby” and “Be my little baby.”
She wants him to confirm his affection for her by saying, “Say you’ll be my darlin’,” and she’s eagerly asking him to be with her right now.
The repetition of these lines with “Oh-oh-oh-oh” emphasizes the urgency and intensity of her feelings
[Outro]
(Be my, be my baby)
Be my little baby? (My one and only baby)
Oh-oh-oh (Be my, be my baby)
Oh (My one and only baby)
Woah-oh-oh-oh (Be my, be my baby)
Oh-oh-oh (My one and only baby)
Oh (Be my, be my baby)
Be my baby now (My one and only baby)
Woah-oh-oh-oh
In the outro, the singer continues to express her love and affection for the man she cares about.
She repeats the phrase “Be my baby” and uses “My one and only baby,” indicating her deep devotion and desire for an exclusive and lasting relationship.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Be My Baby”
“Be My Baby” by the Ronettes is a classic love song that perfectly captures the feeling of falling in love. The lyrics say, “When we first met, I knew I needed you so,” showing that the singer was immediately attracted to her beloved. She felt a strong connection and knew she wanted to be with him forever.
The chorus repeats the plea, “Be my baby,” which is like saying, “Be my darling.” It shows the singer’s deep desire for a long-lasting relationship. This repetition emphasizes how much she cares, as the lyrics echo, “Oh-oh-oh-oh.”
The song also promises to make the other person happy, with kisses and affection. The lyrics say, “For every kiss you give me, I’ll give you three.” It’s a declaration of unwavering love and a belief in a future filled with happiness together.
In the end, “Be My Baby” is a song about intense love, the excitement of new romance, and the longing for a special connection that lasts.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.