Ooh Baby Baby
Aretha Franklin & Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I did you wrong, my heart went out to play
And in the game I lost you, what a price to pay!
I'm cryin', ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
Mistakes I know I've made a few,
But I'm only human; you've made mistakes too!
I'm cryin', ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
Ooh baby baby
Ooh baby baby I'm just about at the end of my rope.
But I can't stop tryin', I can't give up hope
'cause I feel someday I'll hold you near,
Whisper I still love you
Until that day is here ooh I'm cryin'.
Ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
The song "Ooh Baby Baby" is a classic soul ballad performed by Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson. The lyrics capture the regrets and remorse of a man who has made mistakes in his relationship and is desperately trying to win back his lover. The first verse acknowledges the man's fault and how he lost his lover in a game he was playing with his heart. He expresses his regret and weeps for his love. In the second verse, he acknowledges that he is not perfect and that his lover has also made mistakes. Nonetheless, he can't stop trying to reconcile with her and holds on to hope that they will reunite again. He is so consumed with longing for her that he's almost at the end of his rope.
The emotions in the song are amplified by Franklin and Robinson's soulful singing, which captures the intensity of the man's feelings. The repetition of "ooh baby baby" creates a sense of longing and the feeling that he can't live without his lover. The entire song is a poignant plea, holding on to the hope of a future reunion and closure. The song speaks to anyone who has felt the pain of regret and hopes for another chance to make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh la, la, la, la.
Expressing a feeling of desire and attraction.
I did you wrong, my heart went out to play
I made a mistake by not being faithful to you, I was careless with your feelings.
And in the game I lost you, what a price to pay!
My actions caused me to lose you, and it's a painful consequence that I have to pay for.
I'm cryin', ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
I'm emotional and regretful for my mistakes, and I still long for your love and affection.
Mistakes I know I've made a few,
I am aware of the errors I have made and the damage they have caused.
But I'm only human; you've made mistakes too!
I ask for understanding and forgiveness because I am just a flawed human being, and I know that you have also made mistakes in our relationship.
Ooh baby baby Ooh baby baby I'm just about at the end of my rope.
I am struggling to hold on, I am desperate to regain your love and trust.
But I can't stop tryin', I can't give up hope
Even though it's tough, I refuse to give up on us, I still have hope that we can work things out.
'Cause I feel someday I'll hold you near,
I believe that one day we will be reunited and I will be able to hold you close.
Whisper I still love you
Tell you in a soft voice that I still have deep feelings for you.
Until that day is here ooh I'm cryin'.
Until that day arrives, I will continue to be emotional and regretful for my errors in the past.
Ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
Expressing a strong desire and need for your love and affection.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WARREN MOORE, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yelayu8457
That moment when she sings “what a price…”. So perfect. The tone, the control, the emotion, the beauty, the phrasing. Aretha was simply beyond!
@natureboy2818
That’s exactly what I thought hearing her on that part. She was truly a master
@KhayriJamil
My favorite part
@ASSman864
Yep ive watched this video for years now, huge smokey fan, had never heard aretha but man the dictation and the crispness in which she delivered some of the words put me off at first compared to smokeys more floaty whispery style but eventually it hit me how she intended it to and ever since i felt she complimented smokey while also contrasting him perfectly
@mfitzgerald2288
So amazing
@mfitzgerald2288
One of the smartest singers to walk this earth.
@valeriesoftnlow1705
Just in Aretha's phrasing of a word she'd be singing would bring out more flavor and scrumptious morsels of the song. She was phenomenal! Also, she played the piano by ear - self taught - no classical training, whatsoever! She was so good at her craft that she should be studied in music courses all over the world. Just a natural God-given talent! Detroit will miss you...Our Dearest Sister!🩷🌷🩷
@MrJuot234
The vulnerability in her voice when she sings, “I’m crying...” is so beautiful. 😪❤️
@IamAvaMonroe
💯
@AudreyAdams2011
Yes indeed...it's so beautiful! I have listened to this so many times and each time I try to absorb more and more. True vulnerability.