Prince worked on the track further in early 1991 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA, and it was submitted for copyright on 18 March, 1991. It's possible that Prince revisited the track because of his burgeoning relationship with Mayte, who was 16 when they met the previous year. Prince ultimately used the same lyrical themes in The Morning Papers, recorded in early December, 1991.
During Prince: A Celebration in June, 2000, computer screens at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA, offered names of a selection of tracks which users could vote on for inclusion on Crystal Ball Volume II. She's Just A Baby was on the list of 22 tracks, but was not chosen by fans, although the project was ultimately abandoned. The track remains unreleased.
She's just a baby
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But she's my lady
My lover, my only friend
She's just a baby
But maybe she'll understand
That I am made of a true love
That will never end (Hey, hey)
People don't understand what she sees in an older man
They never stop 2 think that maybe I'm what she's lookin' 4
They never take the time 2 look into her mind
They just keep on sayin' she's just a baby
But maybe one day they will see
She's not such a baby, no baby is she
She's just in love with me
She's just a baby, a baby
But she's my lady
I know there are some things she'll never see
She's just a baby
But maybe one day she'll see
Although she's young
She's the only one that can bring out the man in me
Can't U see? Yeah
People don't understand what she sees in this lonely man
Don't they know that everybody needs somebody sometime? Oh
I give her all I can
But the people don't give a damn
They just keep on sayin' that she's just a baby
But maybe one day they will see
She's not such a baby, no baby is she
She's just in love with me
Oh no, no, no, yeah
The lyrics of Prince's song "She's just a baby" are about a man who is in love with a young woman and who is constantly criticized for their age difference. Prince describes her as a "baby" but also refers to her as his "lady" and "lover". He asserts that he loves her truly and will never leave her side. However, he is constantly faced with scrutiny from other people who do not understand their relationship. He argues that nobody takes the time to understand her mind and her true feelings for him, and instead they just see her as a young child. He believes that one day people will realize that she is not just a baby, but a woman in love with him.
The song explores the difficulties and challenges that come with dating someone who is much younger than you. Prince, who himself had a reputation for dating women much younger than he was, uses these lyrics to defend his own relationships and to challenge societal norms surrounding age and romance. One possible interpretation of the song could be that Prince is using this song to express his own fears and anxieties about being judged by others for his relationships.
Overall, "She's just a baby" is a powerful and emotional song that challenges common assumptions about love and relationships, and encourages listeners to think more deeply about what it means to truly love someone.
Line by Line Meaning
She's just a baby, a baby
She is young and inexperienced
But she's my lady
She is special and important to me
My lover, my only friend
She is the person I care about the most and the one I am closest to
But maybe she'll understand
Perhaps she will comprehend
That I am made of a true love
My feelings for her are genuine
That will never end (Hey, hey)
It is not something that will ever change or waver
People don't understand what she sees in an older man
Others are confused by the attraction between us
They never stop 2 think that maybe I'm what she's lookin' 4
They don't consider that I might be the one she wants
They never take the time 2 look into her mind
They don't try to comprehend her thoughts and feelings
They just keep on sayin' she's just a baby
They continue to insist that she is immature and inexperienced
But maybe one day they will see
Perhaps they will eventually become aware
She's not such a baby, no baby is she
She is more mature and experienced than they give her credit for
She's just in love with me
Her feelings for me are genuine and strong
I know there are some things she'll never see
There are experiences and perspectives she hasn't had yet
Although she's young
Despite her youth
She's the only one that can bring out the man in me
She has qualities that inspire me to be my best self
Can't U see? Yeah
Can you not comprehend this as well?
Don't they know that everybody needs somebody sometime? Oh
They should understand that everyone needs love and companionship
I give her all I can
I offer her everything I am able to
But the people don't give a damn
Others don't care or are indifferent to our relationship
Oh no, no, no, yeah
Expressing frustration and disagreement with their opinions
Contributed by Arianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AlexanderNevermind
Damn this is good...At 19 years of age. Yet another reason why I call BS on the foolish myth some fans have that he needed Wendy and Lisa for his musical growth. He was already doing amazing things like this long before he ever put them in his band.
AlexanderNevermind
He didn't "make" great music with Wendy and Lisa. At the end of the day, Prince MADE the music. Period. That's part of the problem. They were two girls, barely past their teen years, that he hired to be in his backing band. AND there were other members of The Revolution besides them. So it's odd that they are spoken of as if the two of them were The Revolution. The Welcome 2 America podcast features people who spent more time with Prince than Wendy or Lisa. And he made great music with those people as members of his band. However, I have yet to hear them claiming rights to his music or claiming that he needed their influence. Prince was a smart businessman. The Revolution was used for crossover appeal. Once he had that, he disbanded them. He knew exactly what he was doing. He was free to expand his creativity with better and more seasoned musicians. We don't get the longevity of his career with the likes of Lisa and Wendy. They weren't capable of playing the funky live shows of the NPG, or the heavy rock of 3rdEyeGirl. There's no Diamonds and Pearls, Cream, Dolphin, Anna Stesia, Black Muse, Rainbow Children, etc, with Lisa and Wendy. In fact, The Revolution wasn't a band capable of what we've heard so far from the upcoming Welcome 2 America album. Only those Prince "fans" stuck in the 80s believe that he needed Lisa and Wendy, which is totally foolish and an insult to his legacy. He had five amazing albums under his belt before Wendy was even hired. Time for people to knock that foolishness off.
avace917
He made great music with the Wendy and Lisa though. Better than what he did on his own? Probably not. My favorite songs by him were done on his own. When Doves Cry and If I Was Your Girlfriend, so I get your point. He may not have needed anyone else, but it didn't hurt.
AlexanderNevermind
Absolutely. From Andre to Morris Day, to Dez, to Sheila E, to Levi, to Morris Hayes, to #rdEyeGirl, etc. We just don't get to hear their stories as often. Morris Hayes did an interview not that long ago that was probably the best interview I've ever heard with one of his collaborators in terms of letting us know about Prince the genius artist, the friend, and the human being. Hayes was probably with Prince off and on for about 20 years. NO ONE can claim to have possibly given as much possible input as he did.
Press Rewind - Prince Lyrics Podcast
He never needed anybody, clearly, but I think everyone he collaborated with in his career gave him something along the way.
BD 59
Another great version to follow on from your recent upload.
Loved the calmness in his voice.
Thanks again - I appreciate your efforts.
Tom C
At last a crystal clear version
Emanuel Laurenti
Are we getting the full version of this??? 🤩🤩🤩
Art Full
Luv this early recording🥰it’s so Sweet it give me chills☺️
FunkCat Brown
Already a signature Prince sound all over this. A personal favorite of mine.