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Baby It's You
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Wikipedia article
"'Baby It's You'" is a song written by Burt Bacharach (music), Luther Dixon (credited as Barney Williams), and Mack David (lyrics). It was recorded by the Shirelles and the Beatles, and was a hit for both. The highest-charting version of "Baby It's You" was by the band Smith, who took the song to number five on the US charts in 1969.
The Shirelles' original version
The song was produced by Luther Dixon. When released as a single in 1961, it became a Top 10 smash on the Pop and R&B Charts, reached number three on the R&B chart and peaked at number eight on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. It later appeared on the album 'Baby It's You', named to capitalize upon the success of the single. The vocal arrangements on this version proved influential in subsequent versions, including that by the Beatles. One notable feature of the song is its minor-to-major key chord changes on the verses.
The Beatles' version
British rock band the Beatles performed "Baby It's You" as part of their stage act from 1961 until 1963, and recorded it on February 11, 1963 for their first album, 'Please Please Me', along with "Boys", another song by the Shirelles.Mark Lewisohn, 'The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions' (London: The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, 1988, ), p. 24, 26 American label Vee-Jay Records included it on 'Introducing... The Beatles' and 'Songs, Pictures and Stories of the Fabulous Beatles'. Capitol included it on 'The Early Beatles'. The Beatles' version differs from the Shirelles' by repeating the second verse instead of the first.All Together Now, the ABC of the Beatles' songs and albums by David Rowley
A live version was released on 'Live at the BBC' in 1994. On this version, Lennon does not repeat part of the second verse after the solo (as he did on the studio version), but repeats part of the first verse, which is the way the Shirelles sang the song. The song was issued as a CD single and a vinyl single in 1995 in both the UK and the US, the Beatles' first in nearly a decade. Both versions have four tracks, making it an EP instead of a regular issue single. The three additional tracks, while from BBC recordings, did not appear on 'Live at the BBC.' Tracks 2 and 4 were later included on 'On Air Live at the BBC Volume 2', but this recording of track 3 remains unique to this release. The single reached number seven in the UK and number 67 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100.
'1995 release track listing'
#"Baby It's You" (Bacharach/David/Williams) 2:45
#"I'll Follow the Sun" (LennonMcCartney) 1:51
#"Devil in Her Heart" (Drapkin) 2:23
#"Boys" (Dixon/Farrell) 2:29
Music video
A live music video was released in 1994 to promote the single. It consisted of a combination of the Beatles dancing and still photographs, and was later included on a DVD or Blu-ray that comes with the 2015 release '1+'.Personnel
*John Lennon – vocals, rhythm guitar*Paul McCartney – bass, backing vocals
*George Harrison – lead guitar, backing vocals
*Ringo Starr – drums
*George Martin – celesta
*Norman Smith – engineer
Charts
Smith version
Smith's version appeared on their debut album, 'A Group Called Smith'. The single was released on Dunhill Records (4206) in 1969. It was their first and most successful release. This version alters the traditional vocal arrangement as performed by the Shirelles and the Beatles in favor of a more belted, soulful vocal. The single hit number five on the 'Billboard' Hot 100, and was ranked number 28 in Billboard's year-end chart of 1969. The Smith version was used in Quentin Tarantino's 'Death Proof'.
Charts
References
Category:1961 songs
Category:Songs with lyrics by Mack David
Category:Songs with music by Burt Bacharach
Category:The Shirelles songs
Category:The Beatles songs
Category:1961 singles
Category:1969 singles
Category:1995 singles
Category:Oricon International Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Song recordings produced by George Martin
Category:Scepter Records singles
Category:Apple Records singles
Category:Songs written by Luther Dixon
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