The group had several hit singles in the early 1970s, including the socially conscious single "Message From A Black Man" in 1970 on A&I International, "Please Make The Love Go Away" also in 1970 but on Stang Records, and their biggest success "I’ll Erase Away Your Pain" in 1971. They performed with fellow Stang Records artists The Moments for the hit single "Girls" in 1974.
The Whatnauts' music has been sampled by numerous artists including their hit "I'll Erase Away Your Pain" in Kanye West's "Late" (2005); "Why Cant People Be Colors Too?" from 1974 sampled in "Oh My God" by A Tribe Called Quest feat. Busta Rhymes (1993); and "Help Is on the Way" from 1981 in both "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" by De La Soul (1991), "Act Like You Know" by Fat Larry's Band (1982), "Sex With You" by Heavy D & the Boyz (1994), "Greatest Day" by Beverley Knight (1998) and "Ain't Leavin Without You" by Jaheim (2010).
One of the most consistent R&B aggregations of the '70s, the Moments enjoyed a string of major hits throughout the decade. The Hackensack, NJ, trio introduced themselves and the Stang label with "Not on the Outside" in 1968, and topped the R&B charts in 1970 with the gold-plated "Love on a Two-Way Street," produced by Sylvia Robinson (one half of Mickey & Sylvia). Other major soul smashes by the Moments included "If I Didn't Care" and "All I Have" in 1970, "Sexy Mama" in 1973, and another number one R&B item, "Look at Me (I'm in Love)," in 1975. Members Harry Ray, Al Goodman, and William Brown changed their billing to Ray, Goodman & Brown in 1978 and topped the soul lists the next year with the slickly harmonized "Special Lady" on Polydor. The renamed trio remained potent soul hitmakers through the '80s. ~ Bill Dahl, Rovi
Ooh Baby Baby
The Whatnauts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The Whatnauts' "Ooh Baby Baby" is a soulful ballad about a man who acknowledges his mistake and is pleading for his lover's forgiveness. He opens the song admitting he did something wrong and confesses to his heart going out to play, which led to losing his lover, leaving him with a hefty price to pay. The phrase "heart out to play" denotes the singer's thoughtlessness and recklessness in causing his lover's departure as he did not have his heart in the relationship. He is deeply sorrowful and crying, admitting his guilt and asking for another chance by repeatedly pleading to his lover with the phrase "Ooh baby baby."
In the second verse, he recognizes that he has made mistakes, but he is only human, and his lover has also made errors in their relationship. Nonetheless, the singer seems to be more concerned about his mistakes and is entirely focused on making amends. He is still crying, and his constant repetition of "Ooh baby baby" shows his helplessness and desperation to be with his lover again.
In the final verse, the singer admits to being at the end of his rope, but he cannot stop trying or giving up hope for a second chance. He still loves his lover and hopes to hold her near again someday. Until then, he will continue to cry and repeat the phrase "Ooh baby baby" until he is reunited with her once again.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh la, la, la, la.
Expressing a feeling of love.
I did you wrong, my heart went out to play
I made a mistake and took you for granted.
And in the game I lost you, what a price to pay!
I lost you because of my own fault and it hurts deeply.
I'm cryin', ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
I'm in pain and regretting everything that led to our separation.
Mistakes I know I've made a few,
I admit to my shortcomings.
But I'm only human; you've made mistakes too!
I'm flawed, but so are you and we both contribute to the problems in our relationship.
Ooh baby baby
A plea for reconciliation and forgiveness.
Ooh baby baby I'm just about at the end of my rope.
I'm at my breaking point and don't know how much longer I can hold on.
But I can't stop tryin', I can't give up hope
Despite the pain and desperation, I'm still holding onto the belief that we can make things work.
'cause I feel someday I'll hold you near,
I have faith that we will reconcile and be together again.
Whisper I still love you
Expressing a true and honest feeling of love.
Until that day is here ooh I'm cryin'.
Expressing deep sadness and longing for the day when we can be together again.
Ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
Repeating the plea and desire for reconciliation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WARREN MOORE, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind