Cheyne met producer and writer Andy Van in a dance club. Van was the founder of the Vicious Vinyl record label and had remix credits for Tina Arena and CDB. Van had also won an ARIA award for his production work on "Coma" by Pendulum.
The duo started working together mainly as writers and producers in 1988. Their first single "Fly" featured Kellie Wolfgram as the vocalist. However, Cheyne sang on the group's breakthrough single "Don't Call Me Baby" because Andy Van liked her version initially used as the guide track for the intended singer. Van took the song to the MIDEM Conference leading to the band being signed by Virgin Records in the UK and Sony Music for the rest of the world.
"Don't Call Me Baby" proved to be a breakthrough record for Madison Avenue topping the Australian charts in 1999. It sold 200,000 singles in Australia, the best singles sales achieved by any Australian act in that country for 1999 and Madison Avenue were the first Australian dance act to top the Australian singles charts. The single was released internationally in 2000. In the UK, the song sold 400,00 copies and topped the singles chart, and was a hit throughout Europe. "Don't Call Me Baby" also topped the Billboard dance charts in the US. By this stage, Cheyne was widely established as the public face of the band, although Madison Avenue was originally intended to be a collective dance group like C&C Music Factory or Soul II Soul.
The single's accompanying album, Polyester Embassy, was released in 2000 and reached #4 on the Australian album charts. It spawned three further singles:
* "Who The Hell Are You" - a #1 hit in Australia and on the Billboard Dance Charts, it also reached #10 in the UK.
* "Everything You Need" - went to #6 and was certified gold in Australia, as well as breaking into the UK's Top 40.
* "Reminiscing" - a cover version of the 1978 hit by Australian rock band Little River Band, it was the 9th most popular single by an Australian artist in Australia in 2001 (reaching #9 in the Australian singles charts that year).
In 2001, Madison Avenue won the Best Dance Artist at the International Dance Awards in Miami. Destiny's Child, Madonna, *NSYNC and Britney Spears were also nominated for the award.
The group officially disbanded in 2003, with Cheyne going on to pursue a solo career.
Don’t Call Me Baby
Madison Avenue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we could make it something really cool
But you, you think I'm not that kind of girl
I'm here to tell ya baby I know how to rock your world
Don't think that I'm not strong
I'm the one to take you on
Don't underestimate me boy
You don't know me
The way you really should
You're sure misunderstood
Don't call me baby
You gotta learn that baby that'll never do
You know I don't belong to you
It's time you knew I'm not your baby
I belong to me
So don't call me baby
Behind my smile is my IQ
I must admit this does not sit with the likes of you
You're really sweet
Mmmm. you're really nice
But didn't mama ever tell ya not to play with fire
Don't think that I'm not strong
I'm the one to take you on
Don't underestimate me boy
I'll make you sorry you were born
You don't know me
The way you really should
You're sure misunderstood
Don't call me baby
You gotta learn that baby that'll never do
You know I don't belong to you
It's time you knew I'm not your baby
I belong to me
So don't call me baby
You and me we have an opportunity
And we could make it something really cool
But you, you think I'm not that kind of girl
I'm here to tell ya baby I know how to rock your world
Don't think that I'm not strong
I'm the one to take you on
Don't underestimate me boy
I'll make you sorry you were born
You don't know me
The way you really should
You're sure misunderstood
Don't call me baby
You gotta learn that baby that'll never do
You know I don't belong to you
It's time you knew I'm not your baby
I belong to me
So don't call me baby
You gotta learn that baby that'll never do
You know I don't belong to you
It's time you knew I'm not your baby
I belong to me
So don't call me baby
The lyrics to Madison Avenue's song Don't Call Me Baby are a declaration of female independence and empowerment. The singer is tired of being objectified and underestimated by a man who thinks he can control her. She asserts that she is not a possession and does not belong to anyone but herself. The singer also makes it clear that she is not just a pretty face, indicating that she has a high IQ and is not to be underestimated.
The chorus emphasizes the message of the song, with the singer adamantly declaring "don't call me baby" and insisting that the man learn that he does not own her. The repetition of this line throughout the song is a powerful statement of self-respect and autonomy.
The overall tone of the song is one of bold confidence and assertiveness. The singer refuses to be defined or restricted by societal expectations of women, and instead takes control of her own identity and choices. This message of empowerment has resonated with many listeners over the years and has made Don't Call Me Baby a beloved feminist anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
You and me, we have an opportunity
We have a chance to make something great.
And we could make it something really cool
We have the potential to create something awesome together.
But you, you think I'm not that kind of girl
You have preconceived notions about me and my abilities that are unfounded.
I'm here to tell ya baby I know how to rock your world
Don't doubt my skills, because I can impress and surprise you.
Don't think that I'm not strong
I am tough and capable.
I'm the one to take you on
I can challenge you and hold my own against you.
Don't underestimate me boy
You shouldn't undervalue me because of my gender or appearance.
I'll make you sorry you were born
I can take you down and make you regret your actions.
You don't know me
You don't understand my true nature and capabilities.
The way you really should
You need to recognize my strengths and respect them.
You're sure misunderstood
Your assumptions about me are incorrect.
Don't call me baby
Don't refer to me using a condescending or possessive term.
You gotta learn that baby that'll never do
You need to understand that using that term is unacceptable.
You know I don't belong to you
I am my own person and cannot be claimed by you.
It's time you knew I'm not your baby
You need to recognize and respect my autonomy.
I belong to me
I am independent and in control of my own life.
So don't call me baby
Stop using that term to refer to me.
Contributed by Jeremiah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheFirdy87
listening in 2024 because i want to feel young again..
@matthewskinner4814
Ditto 😊
@sperez95814
Yaaaaas
@chad6586
Listen to the Billy Gillies remix
@tini2619
He dear, how (old) are you feeling today?
Greetings from Berlin in 2024 ❤
@100Compilados
Nice sample from the song Ma Quale Idea from Pino D'Angio (1980)
@fourlights308
Si ci assomiglia parecchio
@chebabachebaba6109
I did not know that! Thanks very much.
@valfra69
No the sample is the same of Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
@valfra69
https://youtu.be/ZEWkZb11pss?si=tlkwfup6bFUb84t4