Born in Salem (near Ann Arbor), Michigan, Lewis was writing and recording by her teens with producer Ollie McLaughlin. (McLaughlin was a black DJ at Ann Arbor radio station WHRV, now WAAM, who is also credited with discovering Del Shannon.) Her first single release in 1962, the uptempo "My Heart Went Do Dat Da," did not chart nationally but was a local hit in the Detroit area. She wrote all of the songs on her debut LP (including the hit "Hello Stranger"). Though her follow-ups did not have the same success, her song "Someday We're Gonna Love Again" was covered by The Searchers for a British Invasion hit.
In the 1960s, Lewis recorded in New York City, with producers Bert Berns and Jerry Wexler, leading to commercially-successful hits like "Baby I'm Yours" which is written by Van McCoy ('The Hustle'1975) and "Make Me Your Baby." At the end of the decade she released a grittier-sounding album on Stax Records, and after its lack of commercial success, she began to withdraw from music.
However, over the next decade, a number of other artists had success with Lewis' songs, most notably Yvonne Elliman, who made the U.S. Top 20 (and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart) and the UK Top 30 with her version of "Hello Stranger" in 1977. "Baby I'm Yours" also charted in versions by Jody Miller and Debby Boone (the B-side of her single "God Knows"). In Canada, Suzanne Stevens had a hit in 1975 with a disco version of "Make Me Your Baby". Cover versions of Barbara Lewis' tracks continue into the new millennium with the Arctic Monkeys including a version of "Baby I'm Yours" as a B-side to their 2006 single, "Leave Before The Lights Come On".
In 1995, Lewis' "Baby I'm Yours” was featured on the Bridges of Madison County soundtrack. She was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999.
The backup group on many songs from the album "Hello Stranger" are The Dells who enjoyed some hits of their own.
Make Me Your Baby
Barbara Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll find a way to please you every day: make me your baby.
Make me, make me your baby. (doo - aaa)
Kiss me, kiss me and maybe (doo - ooo)
You'll see, paradise is waiting for you and me
If you'll make me your baby, (make me your baby)
If you'll make me your baby. (make me your baby) oooh
You'll know a love no one has known before: make me your baby;
A love that we would share forever more, when I'm your baby.
Make me, make me your baby. (doo - aaa)
Kiss me, kiss me and maybe (doo - ooo)
You'll see paradise is waiting for you and me
If you'll make me your baby, (make me your baby)
If you'll make me your baby. (make me your baby)
Make me your baby.
Oh, make me your baby.
Make me, make me your baby (doo - aaa)
Kiss me, kiss me and maybe (doo - ooo)
You'll see, paradise is waiting for you and me
If you'll make me your baby. (make me your baby)
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon and make me your baby (make me your baby)
Can't you see I want to be your baby...
The lyrics to Barbara Lewis's "Make Me Your Baby" are a plea from an infatuated person asking their crush to take them under their wing and love them. The song is all about wanting to be loved and appreciated by the person they desire. The singer is essentially asking and begging for their crush to make them their significant other, their "baby." She promises to do everything she can to make them happy and to show them a love they have never experienced before.
The lyrics convey a sense of innocence and vulnerability, suggesting that the singer is putting their heart on the line and hoping that their crush feels the same way. It shows the depth of the singer's emotions, indicating that they are desperate to be loved and are willing to put in the effort to make their crush happy.
Overall, the lyrics of "Make Me Your Baby" are a classic representation of the early days of a relationship, where both parties are trying to navigate their feelings and figure out their place in each other's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonn'a kiss you in a special way: make me your baby.
I want to show you my love and affection in a unique way, and I'm asking you to commit to me by making me your partner.
I'll find a way to please you every day: make me your baby.
I promise to make you happy and fulfill your needs on a daily basis if you choose me to be your significant other.
Make me, make me your baby. (doo - aaa)
I'm pleading with you to choose me and make me your lover.
Kiss me, kiss me and maybe (doo - ooo)
If you show me physical affection and intimacy, perhaps we can create a deep, meaningful connection.
You'll see, paradise is waiting for you and me
If you'll make me your baby, (make me your baby)
If you'll make me your baby. (make me your baby) oooh
Our relationship has the potential to be a blissful paradise if you commit to me and choose me as your partner.
You'll know a love no one has known before: make me your baby;
If you give me a chance, I will show you a type of love that is unparalleled and incomparable to any other love you have experienced.
A love that we would share forever more, when I'm your baby.
If we commit to each other, our love will be everlasting and we will have a lifetime to share it together.
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon and make me your baby (make me your baby)
Can't you see I want to be your baby...
I am expressing my eagerness and desire to be your loved one, and I am urging you to choose me as your partner.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HELEN MILLER, ROGER ATKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frank Oxley
I was blessed to be able to be her drummer when I was 15yrs old, Thank God Almighty
Greg Gibbons
Oh yes of course
Great Music Never Dies
One of the very best songs by a solo female artist...ever!!!
The arrangement is fantastic!!! I love the trombones in the background!!
Inspirational passion on parade!!!! It gives me chills!!!!
Charles Moorman
I agree! THIS SONG IS SO MELODIOUS. BIG WOW!
Rob Haunui
What a great vocalist Barbara Lewis was,had some extremely solid ballads,and this just typifies that,especially with your extended mix.
mosogotam
Rob....thanks so much!!!
David Moore
You know I every time I listen to this song I feel like I pass through this time before this song just gives me chills when I hear it it's so beautiful and unique that can be duplicated and it can be copied one of a million the right place in the right time the Creator knew what he was doing and it's not by accident the song like this touched a lot of people's hearts memories and soul thank you for this beautiful soundtrack God bless you and your family
Fred Ross
Barbara Lewis's greatest song. I love the orchestration and the bridge. I try to listen to this every day. I love the extended version
Great Music Never Dies
I could not agree more! The orchestration and background vocals are nothing short of spectacular!!!!
Passion on parade!!! We need this music back....
Thadmotor1044
they dont make music like this anymore , quality , beauty , and real ....nice