The band name M.A.C.C. stands for McCready, Ament, Cornell and Cameron, the family names of the four band members: Mike McCready and Jeff Ament (of Pearl Jam), Chris Cornell and Matt Cameron (of Soundgarden at the time; Cameron is now in Pearl Jam, Cornell sadly passed away in 2017).
Their recording of Hey Baby (Land of the New Rising Sun) is a one-off, live in-studio cut recorded for the 1993 Jimi Hendrix tribute album, 'Stone Free', that also featured songs from Eric Clapton, Spin Doctors, Living Colour and others. Hendrix wrote the song late in his career in 1970. A live studio take was included on his 'Rainbow Bridge' album that was eventually released posthumously.
M.A.C.C. used this as their blueprint, but McCready and Ament also were known to jam on the tune at Pearl Jam soundchecks. The M.A.C.C. version of the song is sometimes credited to Temple of the Dog, which is incorrect. Pearl Jam guitarist, Stone Gossard, was also in Temple of the Dog — a one-album project that preceded this song by three years — but does not appear on this 1993 recording.
Hey Baby
M.A.C.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yeah) you still love me right?
Yeah (yeah, yeah) (okay)
It's still in my head
(Your body)
I try to forget
(Yeah, I try to forget) (what's your problem?)
Got trouble in my head
Got you in my bed, oh no
I want you to do me, a favor
And leave me alone, alone, alone
You got me singing like
Baby, baby, oh (hey, baby)
Never gonna let you go, oh woah
And don't tell me, tell me, no (hey, baby)
It's just that's not how I roll (oh no)
But, baby (baby)
You got me calling your phone
(Hey, baby)
(You love me right?)
(Hey, baby)(yeah)
I may have said (so why don't you f- with me anymore)
(Your body)
Yeah, I know what I said
(Yeah, I tried to forget)(what's your problem?)
Mhm, our memories
Got trouble in my head
(Got trouble in my head)
Got you in my bed
(I said you in my bed)
I want you to do me, a favor
And leave me alone, alone, alone
You got me singing like
Baby, baby, oh
Never gonna let you go, oh woah
And don't tell me, tell me, no
It's just that's not how I roll (oh no)
(Hey, baby)
(Like, baby, baby)
It's just that's not how we roll
(Hey, baby) (not how we roll)
The lyrics to M.A.C.C.'s "Hey Baby" are fairly straightforward, as they describe a man who is interested in a woman he sees walking down the street. The song opens with the repeated phrase "Hey hey hey baby, I want to know if you'll be my girl," which serves as the chorus throughout the song.
In the first verse, the singer notices the woman walking down the street and immediately decides he wants to meet her. He is taken by her beauty and declares that he is going to make her his. The second verse is repeated twice in the song and describes the man's desire for the woman after she walks away. He asks her to give him a chance and to consider being his girl.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey hey baby!
Greetings, black woman
I want to know if you'll be my girl
May I court you and have exclusivity?
When I saw you walking down the street
I observed your physical features from afar
I said that's a kind of girl I'd like to meet
I am attracted to your physical appearance
She's so pretty, Lord she's fine
Your physical appearance is aesthetically pleasing to me
I'm gonna make her mine, all mine
I intend to have exclusive romantic relations with you
When you turned and walked away
Upon your departure
Thats when I want to say
At that moment I wished to express
C'mon baby, give me a whirl
Allow me to take you out and impress you
Hey, hey hey hey hey, baby
Greetings, black woman
C'mon, baby now
Please consider my proposal immediately
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Adil Chaudhry, Becca Brazil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Craig Johnson
As a Hendrix fan I've always been hesitant to listen to his covers by even the best musicians because no one ever seems to get it right. That being said this cover is BY FAR THE BEST I've heard! Wow! Soulfully done...props!
John King
I always listen to covers because each cover has its own individual sound. some good some bad but some I have added permanently to my listening rotation. Its not the same as Hendrix playing it himself thats for sure but some are unique and good in their own ways.
Mr Burns
This cover is better than the original :)
john b
@Mr Burns not even close
Jeff Blydenburgh
Mr. Burns… no way you can be a true Hendrix fan and say that. This version is not on the same tier as the Hendrix original. Not even in the same room. The same playing field…. Whatever. You have your opinion, but I highly, highly, highly disagree with it.
Candice Miller
Love this version. He blows it away #chriscornell #gonetoosoom
Israel Hicarte
My Father gave this album to me after knowing I like Hendrix. Maybe to convey.. "explore music/life we laid before you"
Both great musicians. I love you Paps.
P B
Wonderful!!! Masterpiece!!! CC voice at his very best, so powerful... RIP Legend ❤️🔥✨
David Polston
Hard to believe it has almost been 30 years since this tribute to Jimi came out! I still appreciate this cover every time I listen. They definitely saved the best track for last on this one.
Todd Hoffman
Mike McCready is an amazing guitarist. This was long ago (and he was brilliant then) and I just saw Temple of the Dog at MSG - he can play anything. Love these guys - my generation paying tribute to the greatest generation.