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.
Dont 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 the kind of girl
I'm hear 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 under estimate me
You don't know me the way you really should
You're sure misunderstood
Don't call me baby
You got to know that that will never do
You know I don't belong to you
Its 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 mmm 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 under estimate me
Boy ill 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 got to know that that will 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 had a opportunity
And we could make it something really cool
But you, you think I'm not the kind of girl
I'm hear 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 under estimate me
Boy ill 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've got some nerve and 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've got some nerve and 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 of Madison Avenue's hit song "Don't Call Me Baby" is about a woman who asserts her independence and refuses to be seen as someone who can be controlled. She tells her partner not to underestimate her strength because she knows how to "rock" his world. The song highlights the double standards that exist between men and women, where men often try to dominate and control women, but she will not allow it.
The chorus repeatedly emphasizes that she is not his baby, and he should not call her that. She insists that she belongs to herself and does not want to be owned or controlled by anyone. The lyrics also imply that she is more than just a pretty face and has a high IQ.
Overall, the song delivers a strong message of female empowerment and self-love, encouraging women to stand up for themselves and not let anyone diminish their worth.
Line by Line Meaning
You and me we had a opportunity
We had a chance to do something great together
And we could make it something really cool
It had the potential to be amazing
But you, you think I'm not the kind of girl
But you underestimate me and think I'm not capable
I'm here to tell ya baby I know how to rock your world
I'm here to prove you wrong and show you what I can do
Don't think that I'm not strong
Don't mistake my appearance for weakness
I'm the one to take you on
I'm not afraid to challenge you
Don't underestimate me
Don't think I am less capable than I truly am
Boy I'll make you sorry you were born
You'll regret ever underestimating me
You don't know me the way you really should
You have a misunderstanding of who I truly am
You're sure misunderstood
Your perception of me is incorrect
Don't call me baby
Do not refer to me in a condescending way
You got to know that that will never do
You need to understand that this behavior is unacceptable
You know I don't belong to you
You do not have ownership or control over me
It's time you knew I'm not your baby
It's time for you to realize that I am independent and not your possession
I belong to me
I am my own person with my own thoughts and actions
So don't call me baby
So do not try to diminish me by infantilizing me
Behind my smile is my IQ
My intelligence is hidden behind my outward appearance
I must admit this does not sit with the likes of you
I admit that you do not seem to understand or appreciate my intelligence
You're really sweet mmm you're really nice
You may be kind, but that does not excuse your behavior towards me
But didn't mama ever tell ya not to play with fire
But didn't your mother warn you to not mess with someone who won't put up with your nonsense?
You've got some nerve and baby that'll never do
Your audacity is unacceptable and will not be tolerated
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW ALPHONSE VAN DORSSELAER, APRIL-CHEYNE COATES, DUANE MORRISON, DUANE WILLIAM M. MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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