Thompson's musical style, characterized as Honky Tonk Swing, is a mixture of big-band instrumentation, fiddle and steel guitar that supports his distinctive, gravelly baritone vocals on songs he often writes himself. His backing band, The Brazos Valley Boys, was voted the No.1 Country Western Band for 14 years in a row by Billboard Magazine.
He decided to pursue his musical talent after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II as a radioman and studying electrical engineering at the university level. His first single was "Whoa Sailor" in 1946. The year 1952 brought his first #1 disc, "The Wild Side of Life", which contained the memorable line "I didn't know God made honky-tonk angels" (which inspired the Kitty Wells response, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels"). Other hits followed in quick succession in the 1950s and 1960s. Although not as prominent in later decades, he has remained an active and respected performer in the field, finding new audiences as a result of the resurgence of a harder-edged sound in country music.
Hank Thompson was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997. He was born 3 September 1925 in Waco, Texas, and passed away at home in Keller, Texas, on 6 November 2007, just four days after cancelling his final tour.
I Gotta Have My Baby Back
Hank Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It hurts me baby I just gotta I gotta have my baby back
Well I can't eat can't sleep because I miss my sweet baby sweet
I just gotta yes I gotta I gotta have my baby back
Alone in a tavern people all around laughing and dancing paintin' the town
Jukebox is playing songs about you songs with memories making me blue
Oh baby come on home without my baby I just couldn't go on
[ guitar ]
Alone in a tavern...
Hank Thompson's "I Gotta Have My Baby Back" is a classic country song about a man missing his lost love. The song opens with the singer proclaiming just how much he misses his baby, explaining that the pain of her absence is causing him physical discomfort. He continues to plead for her return, stating that he can't eat or sleep because of how much he misses her. The second verse finds the distraught man alone in a tavern, surrounded by people enjoying themselves. The jukebox is playing songs that remind him of his lost love, making him feel even more blue. He concludes the song with a desperate plea for his baby to come home, stating that he couldn't go on without her.
Thompson's crooning, melancholy voice perfectly captures the heartbreak and longing of the lyrics. The simple, repetitive structure of the song enhances the feeling of desperation expressed in the lyrics. The use of a tavern as the setting for the second verse is particularly poignant, as it creates a contrast between the happy-go-lucky atmosphere of the crowd and the deep sadness and isolation of the singer.
Overall, "I Gotta Have My Baby Back" is a timeless classic that perfectly encapsulates the pain of lost love. Through its simple structure and emotional lyrics, the song has become a true icon of country music.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby baby I miss you so very much
Expressing an intense feeling of separation and a longing to see my romantic partner
It hurts me baby I just gotta I gotta have my baby back
The pain of isolation due to lacking the presence of my companion is overwhelming and I must have them return to me
Well I can't eat can't sleep because I miss my sweet baby sweet
My desire to be with my lover is so all-consuming that I cannot engage in basic self-care activities or regain rest
I just gotta yes I gotta I gotta have my baby back
I must have my significant other return to me as soon as possible, as they are essential to my well-being
Alone in a tavern people all around laughing and dancing paintin' the town
Despite being in a social setting surrounded by others who are enjoying themselves, I feel solitary and unhappy without my partner
Jukebox is playing songs about you songs with memories making me blue
The songs playing on the jukebox, which all relate to my lover, evoke memories and sadness within me
Oh baby come on home without my baby I just couldn't go on
I implore my companion to return home to me, as I cannot continue living without them
I just gotta yes I gotta I gotta have my baby back
Reiterating my need for my partner's presence and emphasizing that it is non-negotiable
[ guitar ]
Musical interlude
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Antonio Fernandes de Queiroga
A terrific singer! A terrific singer! From Brazil with much respect.
Pondy Hsu
Baby, baby I miss you so very much,
It hurts me, baby I just gotta, I gotta have my baby back
Well I can't eat, can't sleep,
Because I miss my sweet baby sweet
I just gotta, yes I gotta, I gotta have my baby back
Alone in a tavern, people all around
Laughing and dancing, paintin' the town
Jukebox is playing songs about you
Songs with memories making me blue
Oh, baby come on home
Without my baby I just couldn't go on
I just gotta, yes I gotta, I gotta have my baby back
***************
Alone in a tavern, people all around
Laughing and dancing, paintin' the town
Jukebox is playing songs about you
Songs with memories making me blue
Oh, baby come on home though
Without my baby I just couldn't go on
I just gotta, yes I gotta, I gotta have my baby back.....
After The 11th Hour
I just gotta have my baby back ribs.
Maria Perez
Hank!