A unique, and charismatic performer, Dave Berry performed a mixture of hard R&B and pop ballads. He was extremely popular in Britain, and on Continental Europe. He had an unusual ambition for a pop performer trying to make a name for himself - to appear on TV completely hidden by a prop. In his own words, to "not appear, to stay behind something and not come out". As a rule he did a good job; hiding behind the upturned collar of his leather jacket, or even wrapping himself around, and effectively behind, the microphone's own lead. His early hits name checked his so-called backing band, The Cruisers, although their supposed creditable presence is difficult to ascertain.
"The Crying Game" (1964), "Mama" (1966) and "This Strange Effect" (1965 - the latter written by Ray Davies), are among his best-remembered hits. Indeed, "This Strange Effect" became a massive Number One hit for him in Holland and Belgium, countries where he still enjoys superstar status, resulting in a Special Award from Radio Veronica, Holland, for their best selling pop single of all time.
Another one of his songs, "Don't Gimme No Lip Child", was covered by the Sex Pistols. His stage act, drawing largely on Elvis Presley, and Gene Vincent, provided an inspiration for Alvin Stardust. Such was his enigmatic, and unconventional presence, that several punk rock acts, such as the Sex Pistols, later acknowledged him as an inspiration.
Dave regained some, much-overlooked recognition, when he was the surprise hit of the annual Alexis Korner Tribute in 1995.
In 1998 "This Strange Effect" was covered by the Belgian band Hooverphonic, on their album Blue Wonder Power Milk.
Baby It's You
Dave Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not the way you kiss that tears my apart
But how many many many nights go by
I sit alone at home and cry over you
What can I do, can't help myself
'Cause baby it's you, baby it's you
They say, they say you never never ever been true (cheat, cheat)
Wo ho, it doesn't matter what they say
I know I'm gonna love you any old way
What can I do, then it's true
Don't want nobody, nobody
'Cause baby it's you, baby it's you
Wo ho, it doesn't matter what they say
I know I'm gonna love you any old way
What can I do, then it's true
Don't want nobody, nobody
'Cause baby it's you
Baby it's you, don't leave me all alone
In the song "Baby It's You," Dave Berry is expressing his love for someone who doesn't reciprocate it fully. He explains that it's not just the person's physical attributes that make his heart skip a beat, but the fact that he can't help but think about them every night while sitting at home alone, overcome with emotion. Despite the fact that rumors about this person being a cheater are circulating among his social circle, Berry is willing to look past them and love them unconditionally. He believes that no matter what others say, he will always love this person and wants them to stay by his side.
This song speaks to the universal experience of unrequited love. It acknowledges that sometimes, we fall in love with people who don't love us back, and it can be incredibly painful. What makes the song especially poignant is the fact that it acknowledges that love can be illogical and irrational- even if someone may seem like a bad choice to others, we may love them regardless. The simple lyrics and catchy melody of this song have made it a popular classic that can still resonate with people today.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not the way you smile that touched my heart
Your beautiful smile didn't make me fall for you.
It's not the way you kiss that tears my apart
Your passionate kisses don't break me down emotionally.
But how many many many nights go by
I spend countless sleepless nights thinking about you.
I sit alone at home and cry over you
My heart breaks when I realize that you're not mine.
What can I do, can't help myself
I am powerless to control my feelings for you.
'Cause baby it's you, baby it's you
My love and affection are exclusively meant for you.
You should hear what they say about you (cheat, cheat)
People talk behind your back, calling you a cheater.
They say, they say you never never ever been true (cheat, cheat)
Rumors suggest that you have never been loyal in your relationships.
Wo ho, it doesn't matter what they say
I don't care about other people's opinions.
I know I'm gonna love you any old way
I will always love you, no matter what.
Don't want nobody, nobody
I don't want anyone else but you.
'Cause baby it's you, baby it's you
Only you hold my heart and soul.
Baby it's you, don't leave me all alone
Please don't leave me, as I can't bear to be without you.
Lyrics © SOROKA MUSIC LTD., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Mack David, Barney Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Annie Att
I never listened much to Dave Berry in the sixties and now I find my self in 2008 listening to him all the time and I think he is fantastic, where did I do wrong all those years ago
juha vesanen
🕵🏼♀️🙂👍🏿
Peter London
This is a fine version of a wonderful song.
noxinsox1
He is rather iconic in an understated way - in some ways ahead of his time.
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1964 {April 17th} Dave Berry performed "Baby It's You"* on the British TV's Friday evening musical variety program, 'Ready Steady Go!'...
A little under three weeks later on May 7th, 1964 "Baby It's You" would peaked at #24 {for 1 week} on the United Kingdom's Official Top 50 Singles chart...
Between 1963 and 1966 the Woodhouse, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England native had eight records on the UK Singles chart, three made the Top 10, the three were his biggest hits when each peaked at #5, "The Crying Game" for two weeks in August of 1964, "Little Things" for one week in April of 1965, and "Mama" for two weeks in August of 1966...
In addition, he had one Top 20 record, "Tossin' and Turnin'", it reached #19 in 1963...
Dave Berry, born David Holgate Grundy, celebrated his 79th birthday two months ago on February 6th, 2020...
* The Shirelles' original version of "Baby It's You" peaked at #8 {for 1 week} in January of 1962 on the U.S. Billboard's Top 100 chart...
And in March of 1995 the Beatles' live covered version peaked at #7 {for 1 week} on the UK Weekly (OCC) Singles chart...
Ron Owen
the man in black dave berry still sounds and looks the same great vocals
juha vesanen
This Shirelles tune is a very lovely song and Dave Berry takes and gets it all very well with this version...! 👍🏿
Straker1923
Saw Dave recently at The Sands, Carlisle. He still looks and sounds amazing! He still has that great guitarist too!
cley123
I remember watching this on TV in the 60,s He hid behind a post when singing it on I think Ready Steady Go
T Beau
Love that song. There's a live version by Adele on Youtube.