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.
Since I Met You Baby
Bruce Channel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My whole life has changed
Since I met you baby
My whole life has changed
And everybody tells me
That I am not the same
I don't need nobody
I don't need nobody
To tell my troubles to
'Cause since I met you baby
All I need is you
Since I met you baby
I'm a happy man
Since I met you baby
I'm a happy man
I'm gonna try to please you
In every way I can
The song Since I Met You Baby by Bruce Channel is a classic blues love song that captures the essence of what it means to fall head over heels in love with someone. The opening line, "Since I met you baby, my whole life has changed" sets the tone for the entire song and describes the transformative power of love. This line, coupled with the subsequent line, "And everybody tells me that I am not the same" underscore the incredible impact that meeting the person the singer addresses has had on his life.
The second verse of the song begins with the line "I don't need nobody to tell my troubles to," which hints at a past relationship or time in the singer's life where he may have relied on others to help him through difficult situations. However, since meeting this person, everything has changed, and he no longer needs anyone else to confide in. The line "All I need is you" further emphasizes the depth of the singer's feelings and desire for the person he's addressing.
The third and final verse of the song is a declaration of love and a promise to do everything possible to make this person happy. The lines "Since I met you baby, I'm a happy man" and "I'm gonna try to please you in every way I can" capture the essence of what it means to be in love and willing to do anything for the one you love.
Overall, Since I Met You Baby is a beautiful, heartfelt song that speaks to the transformative power of love and the ways in which meeting the right person can change everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Since I met you baby
The singer's life has significantly changed since they met their love interest.
My whole life has changed
The singer is asserting that this change is all-encompassing and has affected every aspect of their life.
And everybody tells me
The singer's change has been noted by people in their life.
That I am not the same
People are observing that the artist's personality or demeanor has transformed since they met their love interest.
I don't need nobody
The artist asserts their self-reliance and independence.
To tell my troubles to
The singer doesn't require anyone's input or advice, particularly in relation to their problems or difficulties.
All I need is you
The singer is declaring that their love interest is sufficient to fulfill their needs or desires.
I'm a happy man
The artist's emotional state is content and satisfied.
I'm gonna try to please you
The artist intends to make an effort to satisfy and make their love interest happy.
In every way I can
The artist is committing to exerting themselves in various manners to achieve their goal of pleasing their love interest.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GARY MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind