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.
Dream Girl
Bruce Channel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why must you haunt my dreams
You are so real it seems
And then you're gone
Dream girl
You're mine when shadows creep
To have, to hold and keep
Where each waking moment
I pray for night to come
When I'll have you beside me
Until my dream is done
Dream girl
Why can't my dreams come true
Why must I dream of you
And then you're gone
Where each waking moment
I pray for night to come
When I'll have you beside me
Until my dream is done
Dream girl
Why must you haunt my dreams
You are so real it seems
And then you're gone
The lyrics of "Dream Girl" by Bruce Channel reflect on someone who is haunted by an idealized, ephemeral woman who is constantly present in his dreams but always disappears. The song has a dreamy, wistful feel, with soft percussion and twinkling, chime-like notes in the background. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and frustration, as the singer wonders why he can't have this perfect woman in his waking life, rather than just in his dreams. He prays for night to come so he can be with her, but even in his dreams, she is elusive and fleeting, disappearing before he can fully hold onto her.
One interpretation of the song is that the dream girl represents an unattainable ideal or an unfulfilled desire. The singer may be yearning for something that is out of his reach, whether it be a particular person, a particular lifestyle, or a particular state of mind. The dream girl is a symbol of this unfulfilled longing, a reminder of what he can't have.
Overall, "Dream Girl" is a melancholy, introspective song that captures the bittersweet experience of longing for something that may never be within reach. The dream girl is both a comfort and a torment, a source of hope and frustration, and the singer's conflicted emotions are conveyed through the song's gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Dream girl
Addressing his love interest
Why must you haunt my dreams
Expressing the longing for her even in sleep
You are so real it seems
Being so engrossed in thinking about her that it seems like she is literally present
And then you're gone
Realizing the sudden absence of the loved one
Dream girl
Repeating his address to the subject of his affection
You're mine when shadows creep
Feeling like he has her all to himself when it's dark
To have, to hold and keep
Wanting to possess her and to never let her go
Until the dawn
Desiring to spend time with her until it's morning and they have to part ways
Where each waking moment
Starting a new thought or stanza, highlighting how much he thinks about her
I pray for night to come
Wishing for nighttime to arrive so he can be with her again in his dreams
When I'll have you beside me
Being content with the idea of having her close to him in his dreams
Until my dream is done
Looking forward to being with her in his subconscious state until it's time to wake up
Dream girl
Reiterating his introduction to the song
Why can't my dreams come true
Expressing his desire for his dream of being with her to become a reality
Why must I dream of you
Questioning why she only appears to him in his dreams
And then you're gone
Becoming aware of the temporary nature of their time together in his dreams
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Royalty Network
Written by: TREY BRUCE, RYAN TYNDELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vivb.6625
A favorite haven’t heard for long time. Other side was the hit song.
@antoninotroisi6585
Thank you for posting
@kmpage88
I as well have been waiting for this one! I couldn't find it anywhere. I love his voice on this one.
@gclode
Had the song buzzing in my head for years but couldn't remember who recorded it. Turns out it was Bruce Channel........ Well I have the original Hey Baby record I must have bought in 1962 with this sing on the flip side, so that's where I remember it from. Also remember seeing Bruce Channel in concert in the early 60's when he visited UK.
@MuZiC199ChIcK
Wow how magical man
@mikedaniel8255
I honestly like this song by him than "Hey Baby" Its hard to find! Thank you for Uploading this! Don't take it away!! :D
@PAULSFATARSE
Love this track and have been waiting for it to appear on Youtube. Fantastic......