Gerry Marsden (1942-2021) formed Gerry & The Pacemakers in the late 1950s with his brother, Fred Marsden (died 2006), Les Chadwick (1943-2019) and Arthur Mack. They rivalled The Beatles early in their career, playing in the same areas of Hamburg, Germany, and Liverpool, England, and being from Liverpool, managed by Brian Epstein, and recorded by George Martin. Mack was replaced on piano by Les Maguire ()born 1941) around 1961. They are known to have rehearsed at Camell Laird shipping yard at Birkenhead.
They began recording in early 1963 with "How Do You Do It?", a Mitch Murray written song that both Adam Faith and The Beatles had turned down (in the latter case because they wanted to record their own material, specifically "Please Please Me"). The song became a number one hit, until being replaced at the top by The Beatles' third single, "From Me to You".
Gerry & the Pacemakers next two singles, Murray's "I Like It" and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone", both also reached number one in the UK Singles Chart. Never before had the first three singles by a performer all reached the top spot (the feat would not be duplicated until Frankie Goes to Hollywood did it in the 1980s).
Despite this early success, Gerry & the Pacemakers never had another number one single in the U.S. Gerry Marsden began writing most of their own songs, including "It's All Right", "I'm the One", and "Ferry Cross the Mersey", as well as their first and biggest U.S. hit, "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying". All of these represented the band's light, poppy, enjoyable sound. They also starred in a moderately successful early 1965 film called Ferry Cross the Mersey, for which Marsden wrote much of the soundtrack.
By later in 1965, though, their popularity was rapidly declining on both sides of the Atlantic. They lacked the innovation of the Beatles and did not have the rawer musical and visual edge of some of the other British Invasion groups, and they soon seemed un-hip. They disbanded in October 1966 with much of their latter recorded material never released in the UK.
Gerry Marsden became a popular cabaret and children's TV entertainer. He reformed the band in 1972 with prominent Liverpool musicians Jose McLaughlin, Billy Kinsley and Pete Clarke. In April 1973, this second version of the group became the only Merseybeat band to ever record for the John Peel Show on BBC Radio. The tracks from that show have now been included on the album Gerry & the Pacemakers Live at the BBC, released on Parlophone Records in October 2018. Subsequently, Marsden occasionally toured with various line-ups of the band on the oldies circuit. Gerry Marsden announced his retirement on 29 November 2018.
The band is probably best remembered for their version of "You'll Never Walk Alone," which has become the anthem for Liverpool Football Club in England. Liverpool's fans sing the song before every match at Anfield, their home stadium.
Baby Come Back
Gerry & The Pacemakers Lyrics
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Keep walking a long and lonely mile
And every time I do
I keep seeing this picture of you
Here comes my baby, here she comes now
And it becomes as no surprise to me
With another guy
Well, here comes my baby, here she comes now
Walking with a love, with a love that's oh, so fine
Never to be mine, no matter how I try
You'll never walk alone
And you're forever talking on the phone
I try to call you names
But every time it comes out the same
Here comes my baby, here she comes now
And it becomes as no surprise to me
With another guy
Well, here comes my baby, here she comes now
Walking with a love, with a love that's oh, so fine
Never to be mine, no matter how I try
Here comes my baby, here she comes now
And it becomes as no surprise to me
With another guy
Well, here comes my baby, here she comes now
Walking with a love, with a love that's oh, so fine
Never to be mine, no matter how I try
The lyrics of Gerry & The Pacemakers's song "Baby Come Back" depict a sense of longing and heartache as the singer watches their former lover move on with someone else. The opening verse sets the scene in the midnight moonlight hour, emphasizing the loneliness and distance the singer feels as they continue to walk a long and lonely mile, with thoughts of their lost love consuming their mind. The recurring image of the ex-partner appears in the singer's mind every time they walk this path, showcasing the persistent nature of their memories and emotions.
The chorus introduces the arrival of the singer's ex-lover, described as "here comes my baby," which contrasts with the harsh reality that they are now with another person. The repeated refrain of "here she comes now" highlights the inevitability of seeing the ex-lover with someone new, causing no surprise to the singer despite the pain it brings. The description of the new lover as "walking with a love that's oh, so fine" accentuates the feeling of inadequacy and unattainability for the singer, no matter how hard they try to win back their former partner.
The lyrics delve into the sense of powerlessness and resignation felt by the singer, as they realize that their ex-lover will never be theirs again, no matter their efforts. The reference to the famous Liverpool FC anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" adds a poignant layer to the song, underscoring the theme of enduring loneliness and the inability to connect with the one they desire. The futile attempt to insult or call out the ex-lover further underscores the inability to change the situation, as every verbal attack ends up being the same, highlighting the cyclical nature of their emotions.
Overall, "Baby Come Back" conveys a bittersweet mix of nostalgia, longing, and acceptance of the reality that the singer's love is now with someone else. The wistful tone of the lyrics, combined with the repeated imagery of the ex-lover's presence with another person, creates a poignant narrative of unrequited love and the painful realization that some relationships are destined to remain in the past. Throughout the song, the singer grapples with the conflicting emotions of hope and resignation, ultimately coming to terms with the fact that their baby may never come back to them, no matter how much they yearn for a reconciliation.
Line by Line Meaning
In the midnight moonlight hour
During the late night hours when everything seems still and quiet
Keep walking a long and lonely mile
Continuously moving forward in solitude along a vast distance
And every time I do
Each instance that I undertake this journey
I keep seeing this picture of you
I am haunted by the constant image of you in my mind
Here comes my baby, here she comes now
My beloved is approaching, here she comes at this moment
And it becomes as no surprise to me
It is no longer unexpected or shocking to witness
With another guy
In the company of a different man
Walking with a love, with a love that's oh, so fine
Strolling together with a deep and wonderful affection
Never to be mine, no matter how I try
Destined to never belong to me, regardless of my efforts
You'll never walk alone
You will always have companionship and support around you
And you're forever talking on the phone
You are constantly engaged in conversations over the phone
I try to call you names
I attempt to insult or belittle you verbally
But every time it comes out the same
Regardless of my efforts, the outcome remains unchanged
Lyrics © Bocu Music USA
Written by: Cat Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind