In the late 1960s he led a blues-rock trio called Love Sculpture, who scored a quasi-novelty hit by reworking Khachaturian's classical piece "Sabre Dance" as a speed-crazed rock number. "Sabre Dance" became a hit after garnering the enthusiastic attention of British DJ John Peel.
After Love Sculpture split, Edmunds had a number one single with "I Hear You Knocking", a Smiley Lewis cover. His only acting role followed, as a band member in the David Essex movie Stardust (1974 movie). After learning the trade of producer, culminating in a couple of singles in the style of Phil Spector, "Baby I Love You" and "Born To Be With You", he became linked with the pub rock movement of the early 1970s, producing Brinsley Schwarz, Ducks Deluxe, and also The Flamin' Groovies, using a stripped down, grittier sound.
His own solo LP from that era, Subtle As A Flying Mallet, was similar in style. In 1977, the Brinsley Schwarz connection brought about a collaboration with Nick Lowe under the name Rockpile, with Billy Bremner and Terry Williams. For contractual reasons they could not record as Rockpile until 1980, but contemporary solo LPs (such as Nick Lowe's Labour of Lust and Edmunds' own Repeat When Necessary) were in fact group recordings. Dave Edmunds had more hits during this time, including Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk", Nick Lowe's "I Knew The Bride", Hank DeVito's "Queen of Hearts" ), Graham Parker's "Crawling From The Wreckage", and Melvin Endsley's "Singing The Blues" (originally a hit for Guy Mitchell).
Unexpectedly, after Rockpile relased their first LP under their own name (1980's Seconds Of Pleasure), the band split, generally attributed to tensions between Edmunds and Lowe. Edmunds spent the 1980s collaborating with and producing an assortment of artists, from Paul McCartney to King Kurt, and from The Stray Cats to Status Quo. He recorded the soundtrack for Porky's Revenge, supplying the main theme, "High School Nights", and was the musical director for a television special starring Carl Perkins, with assorted guests including George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Rosanne Cash.
On his 1983 and 1984 releases, Information and Riff Raff, Edmunds collaborated on two songs with Jeff Lynne, the lead musician of Electric Light Orchestra. He recorded less frequently after the mid 1980s.
Edmunds now lives in Wales in semi-retirement, touring Scandinavia infrequently, after surviving a quadruple bypass several years ago.
Baby I Love You
Dave Edmunds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have I ever told you
How good it feels to hold you
It isn't easy to explain
And though I really keep trying
I think I may start crying
When you kiss me I just got to say
Baby I love you (come on baby)
Baby I love you (ooo-wee baby)
Baby I love only you (baby I love only you)
I can't live without you
I love everything about you
I can't help it if I feel this way
Though I'm so glad I found you
I want my arms around you
I love to hear you call my name
Oh tell me that you feel the same
Baby I love you (come on baby)
Baby I love you (ooo-wee baby)
Baby I love only you (baby I love only you)
The lyrics of Dave Edmunds's song βBaby I Love Youβ is a declaration of the singer's love for his partner. The song is an admission of the happiness and joy that the singer feels when he holds his lover. The opening line βHave I ever told you how good it feels to hold youβ sets the tone for the song, expressing the singer's deep emotions. He acknowledges that his love for his partner is hard to articulate and goes beyond words. Despite his efforts, the feeling is so intense that he may start crying as he tries to express himself fully.
The singer also goes on to describe the depth of his emotions by stating that he can't wait any longer to let his lover know how he feels - βMy heart can't wait another day. When you kiss me, I just got to say.β These lines tap into the feeling of urgency that one might experience when they are desperately in love. The chorus of the song is a repetition of the title phrase that affirms the singer's love for his lover. He emphasizes that he loves only her, and he cannot live without her. The final line of the song, βOh, tell me that you feel the same,β is a plea for reassurance from the lover that she reciprocates the same feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Have I ever told you
Do you know that I love you?
How good it feels to hold you
Being close to you brings me immense joy
It isn't easy to explain
Words cannot fully express how much I care for you
And though I really keep trying
I attempt to convey my feelings to you
I think I may start crying
I am deeply moved by the strength of my emotions
My heart can't wait another day
I am impatient to show you my love
When you kiss me I just got to say
Your affection inspires me to express my love
Baby I love you (come on baby)
I express my devotion to you
Baby I love you (ooo-wee baby)
I cannot contain my passion for you
Baby I love only you (baby I love only you)
You are the only one who has my heart
I can't live without you
You are essential to my happiness
I love everything about you
Every aspect of you is lovable to me
I can't help it if I feel this way
My love for you is a natural and intense emotion
Though I'm so glad I found you
I am grateful that I met you
I want my arms around you
I need to hold you close to me
I love to hear you call my name
Hearing your voice is music to my ears
Oh tell me that you feel the same
I hope that you share my feelings for you
Contributed by Olivia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Luke Hallinan
As a 12 year old I played this over and over. The Ronettes version is brilliant as is this.
One of my fellow Cardiffianβs bestπ
anita bateman
Brings back such great memories.. went on a school trip in 1973 and played this over and over again absolutely loved it !
Kevin Gill
Love this song, Dave Edmunds so underrated!
Maggie Kenny
Even now I'm older he still makes my heart melt.
Ivan Lee
A great rendition of The Ronettesβ classic by Dave Edmunds. Love it.
Arthur T
one of Dave Edmunds' greatest performances....
Luana Prado
participei mano
thecountofbasie
Possibly the best version ever...and it's my fave Ronettes side as it is...Dave played every instrument and did all the vocals on the track as well...truly magnificent
Prem Gurnani
Best cover version with agonising,heart-wrenching chords
Linny
Simply put...beautiful song as all of Dave's songs are.