He was performing very much in the rock n roll piano style of his cousin Jerry Lee Lewis (and another cousin, the Reverend Jimmy Swaggart). He formed his own label, Astro in 1964 and cut an album named after a Lewis success "Down the Line". Re-issued on Paula, the album was a regional hit. The big time, however, continued to elude him although he had a minor hit with "Now I Can Live Again" from the album. At an Astro session he laid down a version of George Morgan's old hit "Room Full of Roses" which attracted airplay locally and was picked up for national release by Hugh Heffner's Playboy label. It hit No. 1 in the Country charts. After 12 further hits with the label, Playboy was taken over by Epic and Gilley moved there for his most consistent run of album and singles success.
He was now performing straight-up piano-led Country material. Gradually, he moved towards a more pop-orientated sound in the 1980s, which brought him further success on not just the Country charts, but also the Pop charts. Before that, however, he had a string of Country hits throughout the 70s, often revivals like "I Overlooked An Orchid" (Carl Smith - No. 1, 1974), "City Lights" (Bill Anderson - No. 1 1975), "Window Up Above" (George Jones - No. 1 1975), "Bring It On Home" (Sam Cooke - No. 1 1976). His mix of rockabilly, honky tonk and uptown Country provided more hits with "Chains of Love" (No. 9, 1977) "Honky Tonk Memories" (No. 4, 1977) and "Here Comes The Hurt Again" (No. 9,1978).
In all, Gilley had 33 Top 10 singles, 17 of which reached No. 1, on the US Country chart between 1974 and 1986. Amongst the biggest hits were "Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time,"(No. 1) "Overnight Sensation" (No. 7, both 1976), remakes of the Ben E King hit "Stand By Me" and Buddy Holly's "True Love Ways" (both No. 1s in 1980).
In 1971 he lent his name to the opening the famous country nightclub Gilley's in Pasadena, Texas. His career received a big boost when both the club and his music featured prominently in the 1980 film "Urban Cowboy". The soundtrack included the Buddy Holly cover which went to No. 1. The club closed in 1989 and the building was heavily damaged by arson later that year. A new Gilley's club opened in 2003 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. And Gilley's Theatre and Diner in Branson saw the singer take up a successful residency in that Missouri city.
His most recent successful recording activity was in 1988 when he released "Chasin' Rainbows" on Airborne which produced his last Top 40 single to date when "She Reminded Me Of You" reached No 23 in the Country charts.
In July 2009, Gilly suffered a back injury in a fall and was airlifted to Houston for medical treatment but subsequently returned to Branson and performing in his theatre there. He has a Facebook information page on which he sends regular video messages to members. A recent joint biography about the three cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggert and Mickey, called "Unconquered" by J D Davis is a must for any fan of their music, rock n roll, Country and gospel music.
My Babe
Mickey Gilley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, my baby don't stand no cheating, my babe
Well, my babe don't stand no cheating
She don't, she don't, she don't, oh, Lord
My babe, I know she loves me, my babe
Well, now my babe, I know she loves me, my babe
Yeah, my baby, I know she loves me, my babe
She don't do nothing but kiss and hug me
My babe, I know she loves me, my bab&101
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
Well, well, my babe, I know she loves
She don't, she don't, she don't, (unverified)
My babe, I know she loves me, my babe
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
Well, well, my babe, I know she loves
My babe, I know she loves me, my babe
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
The lyrics to Mickey Gilley's song My Babe express the singer's confidence and trust in his partner. He declares that his "babe don't stand no cheating," meaning that she won't tolerate any infidelity in their relationship. He repeats this phrase multiple times, emphasizing the importance of fidelity to him. He also proclaims that he knows his babe loves him, and that she shows it through her actions of "nothing but kiss and hug" him. Overall, the song conveys a sense of security and comfort in a committed partnership.
Interestingly, the lyrics to My Babe were written by Willie Dixon, a blues musician and songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of blues music. The song was first recorded by Little Walter in 1955, and has been covered by numerous artists since then. Mickey Gilley's version was released in 1974 and became a hit on the country music charts.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, my baby don't stand no cheating, my babe
My significant other does not tolerate any form of infidelity
Well, my babe don't stand no cheating
She don't, she don't, she don't, oh, Lord
My partner is vehemently against any form of disloyalty and has a zero-tolerance policy
My babe, I know she loves me, my babe
I am confident that my beloved is head over heels in love with me
Well, my baby, I know she loves me
She don't do nothing but kiss and hug me
My babe, I know she loves me, my babe
My lover and best friend continuously shows affection through her actions because she cares about me deeply
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
(Oh, baby)
Oh, my, my baby
An expression of how much I adore and cherish my partner, emphasizing her importance and significance in my life
Well, well, my babe, I know she loves
She don't, she don't, she don't, (unverified)
My babe, I know she loves me, my babe
I am absolutely sure that my significant other has nothing but genuine love and affection for me
Contributed by Skyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.