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.
Oh 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 explian
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)
Oh-ee baby
Baby I love only you
Woa-oh, woa-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)
Oh-ee baby
Baby I love only you
Woa-oh, woa-oh oh oh
The Ronettes's "Oh I Love You" is a love song that expresses the profound emotions of the singer towards the person they love. The lyrics comprise of the lead singer expressing her love for her significant other, stating that she cannot live without them and loves everything about them. She articulates how it feels to hold them and that her heart cannot wait another day without them. At times, she is at a loss for words to express how she feels, and that kissing her SO makes her want to say 'Baby I love you.' It is evident that the singer is completely enamoured by her partner, and nothing can change how she feels about them.
The passion in the lyrics and delivery of the song is palpable, and it is evident that the singer has given her all to this song. The message is clear and straightforward, and it is conveyed through the intense emotional delivery of the lead singer’s voice. It is an ode to lovestruck hearts, and the overwhelming emotions that come with loving someone unconditionally.
Line by Line Meaning
Have I ever told you
I want to tell you something that I may have never shared before
How good it feels to hold you
I enjoy the physical sensation of holding you in my arms
It isn't easy to explain
I find it difficult to articulate this feeling that I have for you
And though I'm really trying
I am making an effort to express my emotions
I think I may start crying
My feelings of love for you are so strong that I am becoming emotional
My heart can't wait another day
I am impatient to express my love because my heart is so full
When you kiss me I've just got to say
The intensity of my emotions becomes especially heightened when we kiss
(Baby I love you)
I need to express the depth of my feelings for you
Come on baby
I want to communicate my love to you in an urgent and enthusiastic manner
(Baby I love you)
I am repeating myself because my love is so strong
Oh-ee baby
I am addressing you with a term of endearment
Baby I love only you
There is no one else in my life who I feel this way about
I can't live without you
You have become an essential part of my life
I love everything about you
My feelings for you are comprehensive and encompass all aspects of your being
I can't help it if I feel this way
These emotions are beyond my control and very genuine
Oh I'm so glad I found you
I feel fortunate to have encountered someone with whom I share such a profound emotional connection
I want my arms around you
I have a strong desire to be physically close to you
I love to hear you call my name
Your voice is important to me and hearing you say my name is a source of joy
Oh tell me that you feel the same
I am seeking reassurance that you reciprocate my feelings
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ELLIE GREENWICH, JEFF BARRY, PHILLIP SPECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
moontheloon5
I love this song; my favorite vy The Ronettes.That "echo" is called the "Wall of Sound" phil Spector is famous for it on all his productions.
pet3rgriffin
one of the best things in the history of music
MrMaghin
Me encanta esta musica gran grupo...
Santiago Molinero Sisto
Obvio, ellas cantan como nunca.
Still Standing
This is the 'B' side of "Is This What I Get for Loving You" Philles 128. (1965) Really not bad on its own especially the fabulous guitar work.
Still Standing
@Santiago Molinero Sisto Indeed. Mainstays of the Wrecking Crew.
Santiago Molinero Sisto
@Still Standing Tommy TEDESCO and Bill PITMAN.
Still Standing
@Alissa Reminiec A throw-away instrumental called "Tedesco and Pitman" (for Wrecking Crew guitarists of the same name.)
Alissa Reminiec
what was the B side of Be my baby?
James Maddox
I've never heard this before. It's a cute little song, although there's too much echo.