Crawford was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He began formal piano studies at age nine and was soon playing for his church choir. His father had brought an alto saxophone home from the service and when Hank entered Manassas High School, he took it up in order to join the band. He credits Charlie Parker, Louis Jordan, Earl Bostic and Johnny Hodges as early influences.
Crawford appears on an early 1952 Memphis recording for B.B. King with a band including Ben Branch and Ike Turner.
In 1958 Crawford went to college at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. While at TSU, he majored in music studying theory and composition, as well as playing alto and baritone saxophone in the Tennessee State Jazz Collegians. He also led his own rock 'n' roll quartet, "Little Hank and the Rhythm Kings". His bandmates all thought he looked and sounded just like Hank O'Day, a legendary local saxophonist, which earned him the nickname "Hank". This is when Crawford met Ray Charles, who hired Crawford originally as a baritone saxophonist. Crawford switched to alto in 1959 and remained with Charles' band—becoming its musical director until 1963.
When Crawford left Ray Charles in 1963 to form his own septet, he had already established himself with several albums for Atlantic Records. From 1960 until 1970, he recorded twelve LPs for the label, many while balancing his earlier duties as Ray’s director. He released such pre-crossover hits as “Misty”, “The Peeper”, “Skunky Green”, and “Whispering Grass”.
He also has done musical arrangement for Etta James, Lou Rawls, and others. Much of his career has been in R&B, but in the 1970s he had several successful jazz albums with I Hear a Symphony reaching 11 on Billboard's Jazz albums list and 159 for Pop albums.
David Sanborn cites Crawford as being one of his primary influences. Crawford is recognized by saxophonists as having a particularly unique and pleasing sound. In 1981, he featured, with fellow horn players Ronnie Cuber and David Newman, on B. B. King's There Must Be a Better World Somewhere.
In 1983 he moved to Milestone Records as a premier arranger, soloist, and composer, writing for small bands including guitarist Melvin Sparks, organist Jimmy McGriff, and Dr. John. In 1986, Crawford began working with blues-jazz organ master Jimmy McGriff. They recorded four co-leader dates for Milestone Records: Soul Survivors, Steppin’ Up, On the Blue Side, and Road Tested, and toured together extensively.
The new century found Crawford, shifting gears and going for a more mainstream jazz set in his 2000 release The World of Hank Crawford. Though the songs are compositions from jazz masters such as Duke Ellington and Tadd Dameron, he delivers in that sanctified church sound that is his trademark. Followed by The Best of Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff (2001), and Back (2007).
Baby I Love You
Hank Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you really do
Don't be afraid baby
Just ask me
You know I'm gonna give it to you
Oh and I do declare
I want to see you with it
You're gonna get it
'Cause I love you
Ain't no doubt about it
Baby I love you,
I love you, I love you
I love you, baby I love you
If you feel you want to kiss me
Go right ahead I don't mind
All you got to do is
Snap your fingers and I'll come running
I ain't lying, I ain't lying
What you want little boy
You know you got it
I'd deny my own self
Before I see you without it
'Cause I love you
Ain't no doubt about it
Baby I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, baby I love you
Someday you might want to run away
And leave me sittin' here to cry
But if it's all the same to you baby
I'm gonna stop you from sayin' goodbye
Baby I love you
Baby I need ya
Said I want ya
Got to have you baby
Don't let your neighbors
Tell you I don't want you
Don't let yo low-down friends
Tell ya I don't need ya
I love ya
The song "Baby I Love You" by Hank Crawford is an ode to pure, unconditional love. The opening lines set the tone for the song and tell the listener that if they truly desire love, they should simply ask for it. The singer encourages his lover to embrace him because he loves her so much. He professes a deep love for her and emphasizes that there is "no doubt about it." The lyrics "stretch out your arms, little boy, you're gonna get it" implies that the singer wants to protect his lover and make sure she feels secure in their relationship.
The second verse suggests a more physical aspect of their love. The singer encourages his lover to kiss him if she feels like it, and he promises to be there for her whenever she needs him. It's a heartfelt and sincere plea of love that melts the listener's heart. The final verse takes a more serious tone, warning the lover not to listen to others' opinions about their relationship. The singer declares that he loves her and needs her and that he won't let her go.
In summary, "Baby I Love You" is a soulful ballad that speaks to the depths of true love, where there is no fear, no doubt, and no barriers. It represents the simplicity of expressing love and the power of love to conquer all obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want my lovin'
If you desire my love and affection
If you really do
If your feelings are genuine
Don't be afraid baby
Do not hesitate or feel scared
Just ask me
Simply request it from me
You know I'm gonna give it to you
I will readily and willingly give you my love
Oh and I do declare
I confidently state
I want to see you with it
I want you to have my love
Stretch out your arms little boy,
Open your arms wide
You're gonna get it
You will receive my love
'Cause I love you
My love for you is the reason why
Ain't no doubt about it
There is no uncertainty
Baby I love you,
I truly love you
I love you
I deeply and sincerely love you
If you feel you want to kiss me
If you have the urge to kiss me
Go right ahead I don't mind
Feel free to do so, I don't object
All you got to do is
The only thing you need to do
Snap your fingers and I'll come running
I'll immediately respond to your call
I ain't lying, I ain't lying
I am telling the truth
What you want little boy
What do you desire?
You know you got it
You know you have my love
I'd deny my own self
I would give up my own desires
Before I see you without it
Rather than without your love
'Cause I love you
My love for you is the reason why
Someday you might want to run away
There may come a day when you want to leave
And leave me sittin' here to cry
And leave me here to weep
But if it's all the same to you baby
If that's what you wish
I'm gonna stop you from sayin' goodbye
I will try to make you stay
Baby I love you
I truly love you
Baby I need ya
I require your presence
Said I want ya
I desire you
Got to have you baby
I must have you
Don't let your neighbors
Do not heed what your neighbors say
Tell you I don't want you
That I do not desire you
Don't let yo low-down friends
Do not listen to your untrustworthy friends
Tell ya I don't need ya
That I do not require you
I love ya
I deeply love you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., SPRINGTIME MUSIC INC
Written by: Aretha Franklin, Ronnie Shannon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JORIAL John Richard Allan
Fantastic!