The Ronettes, Be My Baby | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 122^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 122^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Be My Baby” performed by The Ronettes.

“So, won’t you say you love me? / I’ll make you so proud of me / We’ll make ‘em turn their heads every place we go.” “Be My Baby”, one of the greatest songs ever, appeared on The Ronettes’ album, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica.  Fun fact: Veronica was the birthname of the late Ronnie Spector (1943 – 2022), the lead vocalist of the collective. Besides Ronnie, The Ronettes consisted of Ronnie’s older sister, the late Estelle Bennett (1941 – 2009), and their cousin, Nedra Talley (1946 – ). The iconic soul cut was written by Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and producer, Phil Spector.  Notably, Ronnie was married to Phil Spector from 1968 – 1974). Spector became infamous later in life, dying disgraced.  However, early on, he was an innovative producer, renowned for his wall of sound, in full display on “Be My Baby.” The drums are big and heavy-handed, anchoring the production fiercely. The drum intro is iconic. Additionally, the orchestration is an impressive ‘wall of sound’ – strings, horns, and the rhythm section.

“So won’t you please (Be my, be my baby)

Be my little baby? (My one and only baby)

Say you’ll be my darlin’ (Be my, be my baby)

Be my baby now (My one and only baby)

Whoa-oh-oh-oh.”

“Be My Baby” was the highest charting single by the girl group, who landed two top 10 pop hits. It peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. Ronnie is commanding and powerful, flaunting distinct lead vocals.  The chorus, excerpted above, is the section to beat. It is infectious to the nth degree, performed in a call-and-response style. Estelle and Nedra provide superb background vocals. They get some help including Sonny Bono (1935 – 1998) and Cher. As for the rest of the verses, Ronnie is urging him to ‘be hers,’ plain and simple.  She makes a compelling argument: “For every kiss you give me, I’ll give you three.” Word. To reiterate, “Be My Baby” is one of the greatest songs ever, regardless of genre. More than 60 years later, it remains ‘the stuff.’

The Ronettes // Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica // Phil Spector // 1964

The Ronettes, Be My Baby: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 122 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Phil Spector; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]