Carole King Klein (born Carol Joan Klein; February 9, 1942) is an American … Read Full Bio ↴Carole King Klein (born Carol Joan Klein; February 9, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who has been active since 1958, initially as one of the staff songwriters at 1650 Broadway and later as a solo artist. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential musicians of all time, King is the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century in the US, having written or co-written 118 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100. King also wrote 61 hits that charted in the UK, making her the most successful female songwriter on the UK singles charts between 1962 and 2005.

King's major success began in the 1960s when she and her first husband, Gerry Goffin, wrote more than two dozen chart hits, many of which have become standards, for numerous artists. She has continued writing for other artists since then. King's success as a performer in her own right did not come until the 1970s, when she sang her own songs, accompanying herself on the piano, in a series of albums and concerts. After experiencing commercial disappointment with her debut album Writer, King scored her breakthrough with the album Tapestry, which topped the U.S. album chart for 15 weeks in 1971 and remained on the charts for more than six years.

King has made 25 solo albums, the most successful being Tapestry, which held the record for most weeks at No. 1 by a female artist for more than 20 years. Her record sales were estimated at more than 75 million copies worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a performer and songwriter. She is the recipient of the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the first woman to be so honored. She is also a 2015 Kennedy Center Honoree.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carole_King

Studio albums
Writer (1970)
Tapestry (1971)
Music (1971)
Rhymes & Reasons (1972)
Fantasy (1973)
Wrap Around Joy (1974)
Thoroughbred (1976)
Simple Things (1977)
Welcome Home (1978)
Touch the Sky (1979)
Pearls: Songs of Goffin and King (1980)
One to One (1982)
Speeding Time (1983)
City Streets (1989)
Colour of Your Dreams (1993)
Love Makes the World (2001)
A Holiday Carole (2011)

Keep Your Hands off My Baby
Carole King Lyrics

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We've been friends for oh, so long
I let you share what's mine
But when you mess with the boy I love
It's time to draw the line
Keep your hands (keep your hands) off my bay-ee-a-by
I ain't gonna tell you but-a one more time
Oh, keep your hands (keep your hands) off my bay-ee-a-by
Girl, you get it through your head

That boy is mine
I don't mind when you lend my clothes
My jewelry and such
But, honey, let's get something straight
There's one thing you don't touch
Keep your hands (keep your hands) off my baby
Girl, you get it through your head
That boy is mine
Keep your hands (keep your hands) off my bay-ee-a-by
I ain't gonna tell you but-a one more time
Oh, keep your hands (keep your hands) off my bay-ee-a-by
Girl, you get it through your head
That boy is mine
(Keep your hands)
Oh, keep your hands (off my) off my baby (bay-ee-a-by )
I ain't gonna tell you twice
(Keep your hands off my)
He's mine (bay-ee-a-by)
Yay, yay, yeah, he's mine

(Keep your hands off my)
You better watch yourself, now (bay-ee-a-by)

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of Carole King's song "Keep Your Hands Off My Baby," the singer is expressing a clear message of boundaries and protectiveness over a romantic partner. The basic premise of the song is that the singer and the listener have been friends for a long time, and there has been a level of sharing and trust between them. However, when it comes to matters of the heart and a romantic interest - described as "the boy I love" in the lyrics - the singer draws a firm line and asserts her ownership and exclusivity over this person.

The repeated refrain of "Keep your hands off my baby" serves as a direct and assertive warning to the listener, emphasizing the singer's determination to assert her claim and protect her relationship. The use of the term "baby" in this context signifies a sense of endearment and closeness towards the romantic partner, reinforcing the emotional attachment and the singer's strong feelings towards this person. The choice of language, particularly the repetition of the phrase, underscores the seriousness and urgency of the message being conveyed.

The lyrics also touch upon the idea of boundaries in friendship and personal possessions. The singer mentions being okay with sharing clothes and jewelry, indicating a level of generosity and trust in the friendship. However, when it comes to matters of the heart and personal relationships, there is a clear distinction made - the romantic partner is off-limits and not to be interfered with. This delineation between material possessions and emotional attachments highlights the special value and protection placed on the romantic connection, as opposed to other forms of sharing and lending between friends.

Overall, the song conveys a sense of assertiveness, loyalty, and protectiveness over a romantic partner. The singer is unapologetic in declaring her claim over the person she loves and makes it clear that there is no room for interference or encroachment from others, even if they are friends. The tone of the lyrics is firm and resolute, emphasizing the importance of respecting boundaries and the sanctity of a romantic relationship. Through this direct and powerful message, the singer asserts her ownership and devotion to her partner, leaving no room for ambiguity or negotiation when it comes to matters of the heart.

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING, GERRY GOFFIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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