Flack and Hathaway were both solo artists on the Atlantic roster who'd enjoyed critical acclaim, but Flack had enjoyed limited commercial success. Both had attended Howard University, although Flack's attendance there pre-dated Hathaway's. The singers' careers had overlapped, however: Flack had included Hathaway compositions on her First Take and Chapter Two albums, with the latter also featuring Hathaway as pianist, arranger and background vocalist. It was Jerry Wexler who suggested that a joint venture might consolidate Flack and Hathaway's popularity.
The first single from Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway was a version of "You've Got a Friend" recorded before the single release of the James Taylor version: both tracks debuted on the Hot 100 dated May 29, 1971 — marking Flack's first chart appearance — and, although Taylor's version reached #1, the Flack/Hathaway duet ascended as high as #29 and was a top ten R&B hit at #8. (The B-side, "Gone Away," was a Chapter Two track written by Hathaway.)
The second single from the duets album was a remake of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" that became a #30 R&B hit, peaking on the Hot 100 at #71.
It was the album's third single "Where Is the Love" — released in April 1972, almost a year after the album itself — that would be the smash hit, largely due to Flack having had her solo career breakthrough with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".
Although Hathaway had enjoyed more solo success than had Flack prior to their teaming up, his subsequent solo career was desultory, with no high-profile success prior to his re-teaming with Flack for "The Closer I Get to You" in 1978. Hathaway had recorded two songs for a second duet album with Flack — that became the Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway album — at the time of his death on January 13, 1979.
Baby I Love You
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you really do
Don't be afraid, baby, just ask
You know I'm gonna give it to you
Oh,and I do declare
I wanna see you with it
Stretch out your arms, little boy you're gonna get it
(Baby, baby, baby, I love you)
There ain't no doubt about it
Baby, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you
Baby, I love you
If you really wanna kiss me
Go right ahead, I don't mind
All you got to do is snap your fingers
And I'll come a runnin', I ain't lyin'
Oh, what'cha want, little boy, you know you got it
I'd deny my own self before I'd see you without it
'Cause I love you
(Baby, baby, baby, I love you)
There ain't no doubt about it
Baby, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you
Baby, I love you
Some day you might want to run away
And leave me sittin' here a cryin'
But if it's all the same to you, baby
I'm gonna stop you from saying goodbye (goodbye)
Baby, I love you, baby I need you, baby I want you
Don't let your neighbors tell you I don't want you
Don't let your low down friends tell you I don't need you
The lyrics of "Baby I Love You" by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway convey a message of love and devotion. The singer emphasizes that if the person listening wants their love, all they have to do is ask for it, and they will give it willingly. The singer wants the person they love to know that they will support them and be there for them no matter what, even if others around them try to convince them otherwise.
The lyrics also suggest that the person they love may doubt their feelings and intentions, but the singer is sure of their love and has no doubts about it. The singer even goes as far as saying they will deny themselves before seeing the person they love without their love. The lyrics offer a message of reassurance to the person they love and are an affirmation of their feelings.
In summary, "Baby I Love You" is a beautiful love song that emphasizes the singer's devotion to their loved one. The lyrics reassure the person they love by reminding them of their commitment to the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want my lovin'
If you truly desire to be loved by me
If you really do
If your words are sincere and not just empty promises
Don't be afraid, baby, just ask
Don't hesitate to express your feelings and desires
You know I'm gonna give it to you
You can be assured that I will respond to your love affectionately
Oh, and I do declare
I am expressing my feelings with utmost sincerity
I wanna see you with it
I want to share love and affection with you
Stretch out your arms, little boy, you're gonna get it
Open yourself up to love and affection; you will receive it from me
'Cause I love you
My love for you is the reason for all of this
(Baby, baby, baby, I love you)
I'm saying it in multiple ways to emphasize the depth of my love
There ain't no doubt about it
Without a shred of doubt, my love for you is strong and certain
If you really wanna kiss me
If you truly desire to kiss me
Go right ahead, I don't mind
You have my permission to take the initiative and kiss me
All you got to do is snap your fingers
You don't need to go through any elaborate process to get my attention
And I'll come a runnin', I ain't lyin'
I will respond immediately to your call because my love for you is real
Oh, what'cha want, little boy, you know you got it
Whatever you desire, know that you have my love and affection to fulfill it
I'd deny my own self before I'd see you without it
I love you so much that I would make every effort to ensure you have my love and affection
Some day you might want to run away
At some point, you may consider leaving me
And leave me sittin' here a cryin'
This would cause me to be very sad and heartbroken
But if it's all the same to you, baby
However, if possible, I don't want you to leave me
I'm gonna stop you from saying goodbye (goodbye)
I will do everything in my power to keep you from leaving me
Baby, I love you, baby I need you, baby I want you
My love, need, and desire for you are genuine and intense
Don't let your neighbors tell you I don't want you
Don't listen to unfounded rumors from outsiders; my love for you is real
Don't let your low down friends tell you I don't need you
Don't let negative influences try to convince you that my love for you is insincere
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SPRINGTIME MUSIC INC
Written by: Aretha Franklin, Ronnie Shannon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind