Channel originally performed on the Louisiana Hayride radio show, and then joined up with harmonica-player Delbert McClinton singing country music. Bruce wrote "Hey! Baby" in 1959, together with Margaret Cobb, and had been performing it for two years before recording it for Fort Worth record producer Bill Smith. It was originally released on Bill Smith's label, but as it started to sell well, it was distributed by Smash. Besides topping the U.S. pop charts, it became No. 2 in the UK in 1962 as well.
Channel toured Europe and was supported at one gig by The Beatles, who were then still unknown. John Lennon, who had "Hey! Baby" on his jukebox, was fascinated by McClinton's harmonica and asked McClinton to teach him to play. The harmonica break in "Hey! Baby" not only inspired Lennon's harmonica playing on The Beatles' 1962 first single "Love Me Do" and later records, but the harmonica break on Frank Ifield's "I Remember You" in 1962.
The key to the appeal of "Hey! Baby" is the sustained first note, with a rhythmic shuffle in the background. This had previously occurred on a recent hit "Sherry" (1962) by The Four Seasons, and was later to recur on a Beatles song, "I Should Have Known Better" (on A Hard Day's Night - 1964).
Delbert McClinton went on to write songs that were recorded by Waylon Jennings and Emmylou Harris.
Bruce Channel's only other Top 40 recording in the UK singles chart was 1968's "Keep On".
"Hey! Baby" was channelled (no pun intended) at the end of Bruce Springsteen's biggest hit single, 1984's "Dancing in the Dark".
"Hey! Baby" appeared on the soundtrack to "Dirty Dancing."
"Hey! Baby" is a staple of several college pep bands, including the Penn State Blue Band, Marching Mizzou and the Georgetown University Pep Band. The bands generally play the song at home football and basketball games, while the student section sings along. They know the chorus well, but rarely the verses.
A 2001 cover version by DJ Otzi reached both number 1 in the UK singles chart, as well as topping the equivalent listing in the USA.
Baby You've Got What It Takes
Bruce Channel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it takes two lips of fire to melt away the snow
Well, it takes two hearts a-cookin' to make a fire grow
And baby you've got what it takes
You know it takes a lot of kissin'
to make a romance sweet
Ooh, it takes a lot of lovin' to make my life complete
Mmm, and it takes a lot of woman to knock me off my feet
and baby, you've got what it takes.
I said,
mm, mm, mm. uh-huh, mm, mm, mm
Ah, ah, hah
mm, mm
You know you've got just what it takes!
Because it takes more than an effort to stay away from you
It'd take more than a lifetime to prove that I'll be true
But it takes somebody special to make me say, ""I do.""
SPOKEN ""Oh, yeah""
And baby, you've got what it takes.
Ah, ah, hah
mm, mm, uh-huh, mm, mm, mm
Mmm
You know you've got just what it takes
Because it takes oh yeah
SPOKEN **"" You're back in my spot again, honey""**
SPOKEN **""I like your spot""**
To stay away from you
SPOKEN ""I can't stay away from you""
It takes more than a lifetime, daddy, to prove that I'll be true
SPOKEN ""NOW it's you""
But, it takes somebody special
SPOKEN ""Like me, baby""
to make me say, ""I do.""
And baby you've got what it takes
SPOKEN ""C'mon, let's play it again, huh?""
SPOKEN ""C'mon, let's do it one more time, all right?""
And baby you've got what it takes
SPOKEN ""One more time, Brook""
SPOKEN ""Ah-ha, OK, Ah-ha""
And baby you've got what it takes
The lyrics to Bruce Channel's song "Baby You've Got What It Takes" convey a message about the power of love and the strength it takes to make a relationship work. The song compares the intensity of love to the intensity of different elements, such as a robin to make the winter go, two lips of fire to melt away the snow, and two hearts a-cookin' to make a fire grow. This highlights the idea that it takes more than just a simple gesture or action to ignite and sustain a deep connection between two people.
The song also emphasizes the importance of physical affection and intimate moments in a relationship. It suggests that a lot of kissing and loving are necessary to make a romance sweet and to make someone's life complete. The lyrics imply that the person being addressed possesses all the qualities and attributes needed to make the singer fall in love and commit to a long-lasting partnership. It suggests that they are someone special who has the ability to make the singer say, "I do."
Overall, the lyrics of "Baby You've Got What It Takes" celebrate the power of love and the unique qualities that the person being addressed possesses which makes them perfect for a lasting relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, now, it takes more than a robin to make the winter go
It requires something more substantial than a small bird to bring an end to the cold season
And it takes two lips of fire to melt away the snow
To thaw the snow, passionate kisses from both individuals are needed
Well, it takes two hearts a-cookin' to make a fire grow
The flames of love can only grow stronger when both hearts are fully invested
And baby you've got what it takes
You possess the qualities required to ignite and nurture our love
You know it takes a lot of kissin'
Romance flourishes through abundant displays of affection
SPOKEN (Tell me about it)
Expressing agreement and understanding of the previous statement
to make a romance sweet
Plentiful kisses are necessary for creating a delightful, romantic relationship
Ooh, it takes a lot of lovin' to make my life complete
My life finds fulfillment through abundant acts of love and affection
Mmm, and it takes a lot of woman to knock me off my feet
A remarkable woman with exceptional qualities has the power to captivate and overwhelm me
and baby, you've got what it takes.
My dear, you possess the qualities that can deeply impact and enchant me
I said,
I proclaimed with emphasis
mm, mm, mm. uh-huh, mm, mm, mm
Vocal expressions to indicate agreement, affirmation, and satisfaction
Ah, ah, hah
Sounds of joy and amusement
mm, mm
Sounds of contentment and pleasure
You know you've got just what it takes!
You are fully equipped with all the necessary qualities!
Because it takes more than an effort to stay away from you
It requires more than mere attempts to resist being close to you
It'd take more than a lifetime to prove that I'll be true
Demonstrating my faithfulness to you would exceed the span of a lifetime
But it takes somebody special to make me say, "I do."
Only an extraordinary person can inspire me to commit and say the words, 'I do'
SPOKEN "Oh, yeah"
Expressing enthusiasm and agreement
And baby, you've got what it takes.
My dear, you possess the qualities needed to inspire my commitment and faithfulness
Ah, ah, hah
Sounds of joy and amusement
mm, mm, uh-huh, mm, mm, mm
Vocal expressions to indicate agreement, affirmation, and satisfaction
Mmm
Sound of satisfaction and contentment
You know you've got just what it takes
You are fully equipped with all the necessary qualities!
Because it takes oh yeah
It requires, without doubt or hesitation
SPOKEN **" You're back in my spot again, honey"**
Playful comment indicating a joyful reunion or closeness
SPOKEN **"I like your spot"**
Expressing fondness for the specific location or closeness being referred to
To stay away from you
Avoiding being in your presence or maintaining distance from you
SPOKEN "I can't stay away from you"
Expressing inability and desire to resist being close to you
It takes more than a lifetime, daddy, to prove that I'll be true
Proving my fidelity and devotion to you would require more than a lifetime, my beloved
SPOKEN "NOW it's you"
Making a playful remark indicating the other person is involved or implicated
But, it takes somebody special
However, it necessitates an exceptional individual
SPOKEN "Like me, baby"
Attributing oneself as that exceptional person
to make me say, "I do."
An extraordinary person is needed to elicit my commitment and acceptance
And baby you've got what it takes
And my dear, you possess the necessary qualities to accomplish that
SPOKEN "C'mon, let's play it again, huh?"
Invitation to repeat the performance or experience
SPOKEN "C'mon, let's do it one more time, all right?"
Encouragement to engage in another similar instance or activity
And baby you've got what it takes
And my dear, you possess the necessary qualities to accomplish that
SPOKEN "One more time, Brook"
Request to repeat the performance or experience one more time
SPOKEN "Ah-ha, OK, Ah-ha"
Sounds of agreement and anticipation
And baby you've got what it takes
And my dear, you possess the necessary qualities to accomplish that
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: OTIS, CLYDE LOVERN, STEIN, MURRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind