She began recording country music in 1976, but with little success. Switching to rock and roll, she signed to the British Stiff Records label and released her first album, Fool Around, in 1978. Rachel was backed by The Records on the Stiff Records tour in 1978. The album was a critical success, but sales were poor, although she did have some success with the single "B-A-B-Y". She also generated some controversy for her Lolita-like image (predating similar controversies surrounding Britney Spears and others by many years). Her follow-up album, Protect the Innocent, was largely ignored by the public and the music media. She then signed to Columbia Records in 1981, releasing Then He Kissed Me, which launched the hit "Everlasting Love", a duet with Rex Smith.
Sweet only released one more album, 1982's Blame it on Love before retiring. She returned to music sporadically as she focused on her education, recording the title track to John Waters' film Hairspray and many of the songs for his musical Cry Baby. She also recorded the theme song to the Nickelodeon series Clarissa Explains It All. In 1989 and 1990, she hosted a show on The Comedy Channel (forerunner of Comedy Central) called The Sweet Life, and in 1992 appeared in a minor role as George Costanza's cousin on an episode of Seinfeld, "The Contest." She has since focused on establishing an acting, writing, and producing career.
In 1992 Rhino Records released Fool Around: The Best of Rachel Sweet. The CD compilation includes tracks from all the previous releases as well as the theme to Hairspray.
Baby Blue
Rachel Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That the heart you wanna have belongs to you
For all the little girls you knew
Who never understood what you're going through, baby blue
If the night hurts me as much as it hurts you
Well, I know Iโฒll never stop dreaming, baby blue
'Cause love don't have to be real to be true
That I will follow you
Oh, I will follow you
Oh, I will follow you, baby blue
I can see it in your eyes
โฒCause your body talks tough, but your soul don't lie
Youโฒre just a victim in disguise
With the heart of a fool and the mask of the wise, baby blue
If the night hurts me as much as it hurts you
Well, I know I'll never stop dreaming, baby blue
โฒCause love don't have to be real to be true
So, I know Iโฒll never stop dreaming
That I will follow you
Oh, I will follow you
Oh, I will follow you, baby blue
Dashing romance, I know you can't save a dance
But you don't have to be alone to be lonely
This is your chance, be mine
Now that I canโฒt deny
How bad I want you, only
Baby blue
If the night hurts me as much as it hurts you
Well, I know Iโฒll never stop dreaming, baby blue
'Cause love donโฒt have to be real to be true
So, I know I'll never stop dreaming
That I will follow you (I will follow)
Oh, I will follow you (I will follow)
Oh, I will follow you, baby blue
I will follow
I will follow, baby
Anywhere you go
Anywhere you do
Baby blue
Baby blue
The song "Baby Blue" by Rachel Sweet explores themes such as unrequited love, loneliness, and the struggle to understand one's emotions. The opening lines, "Crazy ain't it, baby blue? That the heart you wanna have belongs to you" suggests that the singer is in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way, leading to confusion and heartache. The reference to "all the little girls you knew" who didn't understand what the singer is going through points to a history of similar experiences.
The chorus of the song serves as a mantra for the singer, as they vow to never stop dreaming and following the object of their affection, regardless of the pain they may experience. The lines "love don't have to be real to be true" express the idea that the singer's feelings are valid, even if they are not reciprocated.
In the second verse, Sweet references the singer's tough exterior and wise facade, suggesting that they are hiding their vulnerable nature underneath. The line "you're just a victim in disguise" highlights the idea that the singer is a product of their experiences and past heartbreaks.
Overall, "Baby Blue" is a touching and heartfelt ode to unrequited love, loneliness, and the struggle to make sense of complex emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Crazy ainโฒt it, baby blue?
Isn't it bizarre, baby blue?
That the heart you wanna have belongs to you
It's strange that you desire to have a heart that already belongs to you.
For all the little girls you knew
This is for all the young girls you've met.
Who never understood what you're going through, baby blue
They could never comprehend what you're feeling, baby blue.
If the night hurts me as much as it hurts you
If the night is painful for me as it is for you
Well, I know Iโฒll never stop dreaming, baby blue
Nonetheless, I'll keep dreaming, baby blue.
'Cause love don't have to be real to be true
Love doesn't have to be genuine to be authentic.
So, I know Iโฒll never stop dreaming
Therefore, I'll never stop dreaming.
That I will follow you
I will pursue you.
Oh, I will follow you
Oh, I'll pursue you.
Oh, I will follow you, baby blue
Oh, I'll pursue you, baby blue.
I can see it in your eyes
I see it in your eyes.
โฒCause your body talks tough, but your soul donโt lie
Your physique appears strong, but your spirit is truthful.
Youโฒre just a victim in disguise
You're only pretending to be a victim.
With the heart of a fool and the mask of the wise, baby blue
You have the heart of a dimwit and the facade of an intelligent individual, baby blue.
Dashing romance, I know you can't save a dance
Beautiful love, I know you can't save a dance.
But you don't have to be alone to be lonely
However, you don't need to be by yourself to feel lonely.
This is your chance, be mine
This is your opportunity, be with me.
Now that I canโฒt deny
Now I can't refuse.
How bad I want you, only
How much I crave you, exclusively.
If the night hurts me as much as it hurts you
If the night pains me as much it pains you.
Well, I know Iโฒll never stop dreaming, baby blue
Nonetheless, I'll keep dreaming, baby blue.
'Cause love donโฒt have to be real to be true
Love doesn't have to be genuine to be authentic.
So, I know I'll never stop dreaming
Therefore, I'll never stop dreaming.
That I will follow you (I will follow)
I will follow you (I will pursue).
Oh, I will follow you (I will follow)
Oh, I'll pursue you (I will follow).
Oh, I will follow you, baby blue
Oh, I'll pursue you, baby blue.
I will follow
I'll pursue.
I will follow, baby
I'll pursue, baby.
Anywhere you go
I'll go wherever you go.
Anywhere you do
I'll do whatever you do.
Baby blue
Baby blue.
Baby blue
Baby blue.
Writer(s): Peter Ham
Contributed by Micah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.