Baby, I Love You


"Baby, I Love You" is a song originally recorded by the Ronettes in 1963 and released on their debut album Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes. 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. Billboard ranked the song as number 56 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

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.
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 Los Angeles. Since the other Ronettes were unavailable for recording, Spector used Darlene Love and Cher to complete the backing vocals. 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.

Personnel

Andy Kim version

recorded the song for Jeff Barry's record label Steed Records on his album Baby I Love You. Kim's version became a US Top Ten hit, reaching number nine in 1969 and earned a gold record.

Chart history

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Ramones version

Phil Spector produced the Ramones' cover version of the song which appeared on their album, End of the Century. The single reached number eight in the UK Singles Chart in 1980, their biggest hit in that country.