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.
Hey Baby
Bruce Channel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to know if you'll be my girl
Hey, hey baby
I want to know if you'll be my girl
When I saw you walking down the street
I said that's a kind of girl I'd like to meet
She's so pretty, Lord, she's fine I'm gonna make her mine, all mine
Hey, hey baby
I want to know if you'll be my girl
When you turned and walked away
That's when I want to say
"C'mon baby, give me a whirl
I want to know if you'll be my girl"
Hey, hey baby
I want to know if you'll be my girl
When you turned and walked away
That's when I want to say
"C'mon baby, give me a whirl
I want to know if you'll be my girl"
Hey, hey baby
I want to know if you'll be my girl
Hey, hey hey hey hey, baby c'mon, baby now
The lyrics of Bruce Channel's song Hey Baby express a man's attraction towards a woman he sees walking down the street. The chorus repeats the same question over and over again: "Hey, hey baby, I want to know if you'll be my girl." The repetition of the question reveals the man's persistence and determination to win the woman's affections.
The verse describes the woman's physical appearance, indicating that she is pretty and fine. The man seems determined to make her his, using the phrase "all mine" to convey his possessive desire. However, the woman turns and walks away, prompting the man to plead with her to give him a chance. The phrase "give me a whirl" implies that the man is willing to show the woman a good time and win her over.
Overall, the lyrics to Hey Baby convey a sense of urgency, infatuation, and determination. The man is willing to do whatever it takes to win the woman's heart, and he is not afraid to ask her repeatedly for a chance. The repetition of the chorus underscores the theme of relentless pursuit.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey baby
The singer is trying to get the attention of the woman he is interested in.
I want to know if you'll be my girl
He is asking her if she is interested in starting a relationship with him.
When I saw you walking down the street
The singer noticed the woman while she was out in public.
I said that's a kind of girl I'd like to meet
He found the woman desirable and attractive.
She's so pretty, Lord, she's fine
He thinks the woman is very beautiful and attractive.
I'm gonna make her mine, all mine
The singer is confident he will win the woman's affection and pursue a relationship with her.
When you turned and walked away
The woman was leaving the singer's presence.
That's when I want to say
The singer regretted not asking the woman out before she left.
C'mon baby, give me a whirl
He wants the woman to give him a chance and go out on a date with him.
Hey, hey baby
The singer is still trying to get the woman's attention.
Hey, hey hey hey hey, baby c'mon, baby now
He is trying to convince the woman to give him a chance and start a romantic relationship with him.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bruce Channel, Margaret Cobb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamescook2365
John Lennon owned a portable Discomatic jukebox in the mid-60s, and the documentary "John Lennon's Jukebox" explores the records in that jukebox, including Bruce Channel's "Hey! Baby".
Here's a more detailed explanation:
The Jukebox:
In the mid-60s, John Lennon purchased a portable Discomatic jukebox that held forty 45 rpm records.
Documentary:
"John Lennon's Jukebox" is a documentary that examines the records in Lennon's jukebox, focusing on his musical taste and influences on the Beatles.
Featured Songs:
The documentary features songs like Gene Vincent's "Be Bop A Lula," Bobby Parker's "Watch Your Step," Richie Barrett's "Some Other Guy," Bruce Channel's "Hey! Baby," and many others.
"Hey! Baby":
Bruce Channel's "Hey! Baby" was a hit song recorded in 1961 and featured in Lennon's jukebox.
Compilation Album:
"John Lennon's Jukebox" was also a 2004 compilation album featuring songs from Lennon's jukebox, including "Hey! Baby".
Bruce Channel:
Bruce Channel was a Texas born musician, chiefly remembered for his 1962 worldwide hit "Hey! Baby"
@MrPlooky
I'm here because this song was number one on my birthday March 12th 1962..LOL
@ronnieballard7930
Happy late birthday love your music taste
@74bshs
Cool.
@DeanMk1
As of this post, your birthday comes around again in about a week.
So I'll just wish you a happy birthday now.
Keep on, keepin' on, bud. =)
@freespiritandgypsyheart4594
I got a transistor radio on my 10th birthday and this was one of the first songs that I heard on it!
@g-girl9867
My family immigrated to nyc from denmark in 1959 and this is one of the first rock n roll songs that I heard and i was swept away. Never heard music til i heard my first rock n roll songs on my little turquoise radio in queens nyc. This and the lion sleeps tonight, Pretty Woman and Fats Domino. Best songs ever.
@tflstr557
This for sharing. Experiences like this are special.
@Tomes23
❤
@navidadna618
La mejor época para vivir igual que la música, maravillosos tiempos aquellos que con éstas melodías nos transportan a ésa juventud bastante buena
@storm-rider67
It's a little late, but welcome to America.