Ralfi Pagan passed without making a significant mark in the music industry,… Read Full Bio ↴Ralfi Pagan passed without making a significant mark in the music industry, but not because he didn't try. Raised on the Lower East Side of New York City, he was part of the city's bubbling salsa scene in the '60s and late '70s. His main body of work — four albums — was waxed for Johnny Pacheco and Gerald Masucci's Fania Records. Though a major player in the studio, he didn't achieve the notoriety of some other Fania artists, known as the Fania All Stars and which included Mongo Santamaria, Johnny Colon, Willie Bobo, Joe Bataan, Ralph Robles, and Bobby Valentine. The label started on a shoestring and couldn't afford to promote its early product across-the-board, but Fania records were hot platters on Latin radio stations.

Pagan was a gifted vocalist. His light, floating tenor was as serenading as Smokey Robinson's, but more ardent when he came down from the clouds. His melodious crooning got some chart action on a remake of Bread's "Make It With You" (1971) for Wand Records (Fania contracted with Wand during this period). Two years later, he scored a minor charter with "Soul Je T'aime" with Sylvia Robinson (now there's a duet made in heaven) on Robinson's Vibration label; but its success was modest at number 39 R&B and 99 pop on Billboard. Other singles include "Didn't Want to Have to Do It," "Just for a Little While," and "Come Back Baby."

In addition to the four Fania albums, he had an obvious hand in Ralfi Pagan Presents Johnny Nelson, which is quite an item among collectors; Low Profile Records also reissued his second Fania album, Ralfi Pagan With Love. Examples of Pagan's haunting vocals can be found on ITP Records' East Side Classics series.

OOO Baby Baby
Ralfi Pagan Lyrics

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Ooh la, la, la, la.
I did you wrong, my heart went out to play
And in the game I lost you, what a price to pay!
I'm cryin', ooh baby baby ooh baby baby

Mistakes I know I've made a few,
But I'm only human; you've made mistakes too!
I'm cryin', ooh baby baby ooh baby baby

Ooh baby baby
Ooh baby baby I'm just about at the end of my rope.
But I can't stop tryin', I can't give up hope
'cause I feel someday I'll hold you near,
Whisper I still love you
Until that day is here ooh I'm cryin'.

Ooh baby baby ooh baby baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ralfi Pagan's "Ooo Baby Baby" depict a remorseful lover who realizes that they have made a mistake in their relationship and caused their significant other to leave. The lyrics "I did you wrong, my heart went out to play" suggest that the singer was not faithful in the relationship and that their actions led to the demise of the relationship. The use of the phrase "what a price to pay!" further emphasizes the gravity of the situation.

Despite acknowledging their mistake, the singer also acknowledges that their partner may have made mistakes as well. The lyrics "But I'm only human; you've made mistakes too!" show the singer's understanding that nobody is perfect and that mistakes are a part of life. Despite this, the singer is still crying and pleading for their partner to come back to them. The repetition of "ooh baby baby" throughout the song indicates the singer's desperation and longing for their partner.

The chorus of the song also highlights the singer's hope that someday they will be able to reconcile with their partner. The lyrics "But I can't stop tryin', I can't give up hope / 'Cause I feel someday I'll hold you near" suggest that the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to win back their partner's love and is holding onto the hope that they will be together again.

Overall, "Ooo Baby Baby" is a heartfelt and emotional song that captures the pain of losing a loved one due to one's own mistakes and the hope for reconciliation.

Line by Line Meaning

Ooh la, la, la, la.
An exclamation expressing a feeling of remorse after wronging someone.

I did you wrong, my heart went out to play
I mistreated you and was unfaithful to you because I allowed my desires to influence my actions.

And in the game I lost you, what a price to pay!
By indulging in my selfish desires, I lost the most important thing I had: your love.

I'm cryin', ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
I am deeply sorry for my actions and I want you back in my life.

Mistakes I know I've made a few,
I acknowledge that I have made many mistakes and poor decisions in the past.

But I'm only human; you've made mistakes too!
I admit that I am not perfect and have made errors, but I implore you to remember that you are not flawless either.

Ooh baby baby
An expression of deep emotional pain.

Ooh baby baby I'm just about at the end of my rope.
My situation has become so unbearable that I am at the brink of desperation.

But I can't stop tryin', I can't give up hope
Despite my anguish, I refuse to give up on reconciling with you and rekindling our love.

'cause I feel someday I'll hold you near,
I have faith that one day, you and I will be reunited and I will hold you in my arms again.

Whisper I still love you
I will assure you that my feelings for you have not diminished and that I still love you deeply.

Until that day is here ooh I'm cryin'.
Until that magical day arrives, I will continue to cry about my mistakes and pray for another chance to prove my love to you.

Ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
An emotional plea for forgiveness and reconciliation.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WARREN MOORE, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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