The group's career:
Sisters Estelle (born 1941) and Veronica Bennett (born 1943), and their cousin Nedra Talley (born 1946), began singing together as teenagers in Washington Heights, Manhattan. Encouraged by their grandmother, they entered and won a talent show at the Apollo Theatre in 1959, as The Darling Sisters. Phillip Halikus saw their potential, became their manager, and promoted their early appearances at hops and charity shows.
In 1961, while standing in line at the Peppermint Lounge, they were mistaken for a singing trio that had not arrived and were ushered on stage. After performing Ray Charles' "What'd I Say", they were signed to appear regularly there and in Miami. Later that year, they danced in shows staged by disc jockey Murray the K, but, contrary to many sources, did not appear in the 1961 film Twist Around the Clock. They did get a record deal with the Colpix label, and, as Ronnie & the Relatives, released their first single "I Want a Boy". They also worked as backing singers for Bobby Rydell, Del Shannon, and Joey Dee & The Starliters. Renamed as The Ronettes, they issued several more singles with Colpix and recorded an album, unissued at the time, but had little early commercial success.
In 1963 they came to the attention of producer Phil Spector, who was looking for a new girl group to assume The Crystals' mantle. He was taken with Ronnie's voice and style, and signed The Ronettes to his Philles label. As Spector's new protégées, they were given a strong image as "bad girls", with beehive hairdos, heavy eyeliner, and tight skirts. Their first Philles single was "Be My Baby", co-written by Spector with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, and arranged and produced by Spector. It became a worldwide hit, reaching # 2 on the U.S. pop chart, # 4 on the R&B chart, and # 4 on the UK chart. The follow-up, "Baby, I Love You", had an even denser arrangement, featuring Leon Russell on piano, and backing vocals from Darlene Love and Cher, among others. It was slightly less successful, reaching # 24 in the United States and # 11 in the United Kingdom. The Ronettes also featured on Spector's album "A Christmas Gift for You".
Early in 1964 The Ronettes toured England with The Rolling Stones and met The Beatles. They continued to have hits with "(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up" (# 39 U.S., # 43 UK), "Do I Love You?" (# 34 U.S., # 35 UK), and "Walking in the Rain" (# 24 U.S.), which won a Grammy for Best Sound Effects, the only one Spector ever received. However, their LP, "Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes featuring Veronica", only reached # 96 and other singles were less successful; musical tastes had moved beyond the girl group sound, and the Ronettes were unable to maintain their relevance. After criss-crossing the United States and Canada as one of the opening acts for the final concert tour of The Beatles, they disbanded at the end of 1966.
Later events:
Estelle Bennett and Nedra Talley each married and, in 1968, Ronnie Bennett married Phil Spector and retired from performance for several years. In 1971, under Spector's direction, Ronnie recorded "Try Some, Buy Some" for the Beatles' Apple label. This was her last charting record, reaching # 77 in the spring of 1971.
In 1973, as she and Spector were about to divorce, she returned to performing at Richard Nader's "Rock and Roll Revival" show at Madison Square Garden. Her new version of The Ronettes at that time included Denise Edwards and Chip Fields, and they issued two singles on the Buddah label.
In 1988, the original Ronettes sued Spector for nonpayment of royalties. In 2001, a New York court announced a verdict in favor of the Ronettes, ordering Spector to pay nearly three million dollars in back royalties; however, the judgment was later overturned on appeal. On February 11, 2009 Estelle Bennett was found dead at her home in Englewood, New Jersey. She was 67.
Awards and recognition:
The Ronettes were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
It was believed that Phil Spector, in his capacity as a member of the Board of Governors, deliberately prevented the Ronettes (and Darlene Love) from being nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, although they had been eligible for a considerable period. The alleged reasons included the acrimonious divorce of Ronnie and Spector, in addition to the group having (unsuccessfully) sued Spector for back royalties. While Spector was awaiting trial on a murder charge and out on $1 million bail, the Ronettes were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the March 12, 2007, induction ceremony held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Keith Richards, a self-confessed longtime fan, inducted the trio. Ronnie Bennett (Spector) and Nedra Talley performed "Baby, I Love You," "Walking In the Rain" and "Be My Baby." Estelle Bennett was present to accept her award but did not perform.
Baby I Love You
The Ronettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have I ever told you
How good it feels to hold you?
It isn't easy to explain
And though I'm really trying
I think I may start crying
My heart can't wait another day
When you kiss me I've just got to say
(Baby, I love you) come on, baby
(Baby, I love you) ooh wee baby
(Baby, I love only you)
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh oh oh
I can't live without you
I love everything about you
I can't help it if I feel this way
Oh, I'm so glad I found you
I want my arms around you
I love to hear you call my name
Oh, tell me that you feel the same
(Baby, I love you) come on, baby
(Baby, I love you) ooh wee baby
(Baby, I love only you)
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh oh oh
Come on, baby (baby, I love you)
Come on, baby (baby, I love you)
Ooh wee baby (baby, I love you)
Come on, baby (baby, I love you)
Ooh wee baby (baby, I love you)
Oh, oh (baby, I love you)
Oh, oh (baby, I love you)
Oh, oh (baby, I love you)
The Ronettes’ song “Baby I Love You” is a pure expression of love that people feel towards each other. The song contains classic elements of 1960s pop music such as upbeat rhythm, catchy melody, and simple lyrics. In the opening lyrics, the singer expresses her feelings of how good it feels to hold her loved one. She seems to be overwhelmed with emotions and is finding it difficult to explain these feelings to her partner. The singer is so deeply in love that she fears she may start crying, that’s how much her heart can’t wait.
The chorus of the song is the main attraction as it features the repeated phrase, “Baby I Love You”. The singer says that she cannot live without her loved one and loves everything about them. She wants nothing more but to have her arms around her loved one and hear them call her name. She expresses her happiness in finding her loved one and hopes that they feel the same way about her. The songwriting and production are simple yet incredibly effective, making it a timeless hit.
All in all, “Baby I Love You” is the ultimate love song that captures the essence of true love. The song is a perfect representation of the typical love songs that came out of the 1960s. The Ronettes' vocal performance is impeccable and adds emotion that allows listeners to get lost in the melody and lyrics of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh oh oh
The song begins with an emphatic expression of strong emotional feelings
Have I ever told you
The singer is introspectively reflecting on whether they have expressed their feelings to their lover
How good it feels to hold you?
The singer is inquiring whether their lover knows how much they enjoy holding them
It isn't easy to explain
The singer is struggling to convey their emotions verbally
And though I'm really trying
Despite their difficulty, the singer is making an effort to articulate their feelings
I think I may start crying
The strength of emotion is so great that the singer may become emotional
My heart can't wait another day
The singer is expressing impatience at being apart from their lover
When you kiss me I've just got to say
The singer experiences such strong feelings when they are kissed that they must express their love
(Baby, I love you) come on, baby
The singer is declaring their love for their lover in a straightforward manner
(Baby, I love you) ooh wee baby
The singer is expressing how happy their love makes them feel
(Baby, I love only you)
The singer is indicating that their love is exclusive and only for their lover
I can't live without you
The singer is conveying that their lover is essential to their life
I love everything about you
The singer expresses their love for every aspect of their lover's personality and character
I can't help it if I feel this way
The singer is acknowledging that their emotions are beyond their control
Oh, I'm so glad I found you
The singer is expressing gratitude at having found their lover
I want my arms around you
The singer is expressing their desire to physically hold their lover
I love to hear you call my name
The singer finds joy in their lover's verbal expressions of affection
Oh, tell me that you feel the same
The singer is seeking confirmation that their lover shares their feelings of love
Come on, baby (baby, I love you)
The singer is again clearly declaring their love for their lover
Ooh wee baby (baby, I love you)
The singer continues to express their joy in their love
Oh, oh (baby, I love you)
The song concludes with a final repetition of the declaration of love
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, Phillip Spector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rayalvarez6379
1/12/2022. Rest in Power Roni
@maxr4448
I heard this by accident today 02/12/22, streaming through local radio channels driving in my work truck to work this morning....I had to pull over. Into a local dealer of travel trailers, on Palm Beach in Ft. Myers. It was 04:47 am. This... song is everything to me. The words, the voices. My God.... I'm so glad I'm alive to hear this. I forget the GREATEST decade of music>'60's. Sorry all, but I'm 64 I was 5 or 6 when this was on the radio. I heard this in my parents car. When they sat next to each other in the front bench seat :-). Sorry this old guy has teared up. I LOVE THIS. The Ronettes and all the early '60's female groups I adore. Love them Thank You Ronettes for wonderful memories. Ronnie you made me happy. I hope to see you again singing in the here after. Rest in Peace Ronnie
@joealexander9342
The ronnettes were the best female group of the sixties and I mean the best
@christineholmes578
Fantastic xxx
@thomasreghi7052
Don't suppose she was a witness to an offbeat, casual wedding.... could be she'd rather watch than participate.
Her wedding to the maestro ended on a bad chord...but she was sweet and optimistic probably!
@discodave3569
1 year ago today 🎉🎉🎉
@joestrummer32
Love that story...
@Trump-rv4nz
RIP Ronnie
@marciannmadey1666
The Ronettes' music is timeless! Any generation should appreciate their unique and lovely sound! RIP, Ronnie!
@David-2913
Ronettes:: Amen to that old bed.....