Record cover for Bobby Vee’s version of “Take Good Care of My Baby”
This week’s Featured Lyrics are to “Take Good Care of My Baby”, and made most famous by Bobby Vee [Velline]. We’re posting lyrics of hit songs so that our songwriters can study them to see how winning songs are constructed. Of course a lot depends on the melody, the rhythm and the artist as to whether or not the song will sell… and whether or not it is in the right place at the right time!
“Take Good Care of My Baby” is a song written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin. The song was made famous by Bobby Vee, when it was released in 1961.
While searching for material for Bobby Vee to record, Vee’s producer Snuff Garrett heard a demo of Carole King singing “Take Good Care of My Baby”. Garrett told publisher Don Kirshner that he wanted the song for Vee, but he believed the song needed an introductory verse. Garrett met with Carole King, and the introductory verse of Vee’s version was written.
Bobby Vee released “Take Good Care of My Baby” as a single on July 20, 1961. Vee’s recording quickly became popular, spending 15 weeks on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 1 on September 21, 1961, and spending three weeks in that position. The song became a major hit internationally as well, reaching No. 1 in Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Among the musicians on the record were Barney Kessel, Tommy Allsup, and Howard Roberts on guitar, Clifford Hills on bass, Robert Florence on piano, and Earl Palmer on drums, while Sid Sharp did the string arrangements. The Johnny Mann Singers sang backup.
Vee re-recorded the song as a ballad in 1972. He released under his real name, Robert Thomas Velline, on his 1972 album Ain’t Nothing Like a Sunny Day, and as a single in 1973. However, it is his original version, along with Bobby Vinton’s, that remain as staples of oldies radio stations.
Other Versions:
Dion recorded a version of the song, which was released on his November 1961 album Runaround Sue. Although Dion’s version was released after Bobby Vee’s version, Dion’s was the first version to be recorded.
The song was covered by The Beatles during their audition at Decca Records on January 1, 1962. Gary Lewis & The Playboys recorded a cover version, which was released on their 1966 album, She’s Just My Style.
In 1980, Smokie released a version of the song, which spent seven weeks on the UK Singles Chart, reaching No. 36, while reaching No. 10 in Austria, No. 15 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 18 in Germany. It was later released on their 1981 album Solid Ground.
It has also been covered by, among others, Micky Dolenz and German pop star Sasha (Dick Brave and the Backbeats, 2003), whose version reached No. 21 in Germany and No. 52 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Good_Care_of_My_Baby
Lyrics to “Take Good Care of My Baby”
My tears are fallin’ cause you’ve taken her away
And through it really hurts me so
There’s something that I gotta say
Take good care of my baby
Please don’t ever make her blue
Just tell her that you love her
Make sure you’re thinking of her
In everything you say and do
Take good care of my baby
Now don’t you ever make her cry
Just let your love surround her
Don’t let her see a cloudy sky
Once upon a time that little girl was mine
If I’d been true I know she’d never be with you, so
Take good care of my baby
Be just as kind as you can be
And if you should discover
That you don’t really love her
Just send my baby back home to me
Take good care of my baby
Please don’t ever make her blue
Just tell her that you love her
Make sure you’re thinking of her
In everything you say and do
Take good care of my baby
Now don’t you ever make her cry
Just let your love surround her
Don’t let her see a cloudy sky
Once upon a time that little girl was mine
If I’d been true I know she’d never be with you, so
Take good care of my baby
Be just as kind as you can be
And if you should discover
That you don’t really love her
Just send my baby back home to me
Oh take good care of my baby, take good care of my baby
Just take good care of my baby
Songwriters Gerry Goffin & Carole King
Published by Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
https://www.bing.com/search?q=lyrics+take+good+care+of+my+baby
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us//store/music/track/bobby-vee/take-good-care-of-my-baby/take-good-care-of-my-baby/
Photo:
Bobby Vee album