Hey! Baby

"Hey! Baby" is a song written by Margaret Cobb and Bruce Channel, who recorded the song in 1961. Channel co-produced the song with Major Bill Smith and released it on Mercury Records' Smash label. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, starting the week ending March 10, 1962.

The song features a prominent riff from well-known harmonica player Delbert McClinton. According to a CNN article^[1] from 2002, "while touring the U.K. in 1962 with a little known group called The Beatles, harmonica player Delbert McClinton met John Lennon and gave him some harmonica tips. Lennon put the lessons to use right away on "Love Me Do" and later "Please Please Me". Lennon included the song in his jukebox, and it is also featured on the related compilation album."

Cover versions

• "Hey! Baby" was covered by Ringo Starr and released as a single in 1976 (#74 US Pop).
• "Hey! Baby" was remade under the title "Hey Baby" by Juice Newton for her Well Kept Secret album in 1978; it was released as a single but failed to make the charts.
• In 1982 Canadian country pop singer Anne Murray covered the song, reaching #7 on the US Country Singles chart and #26 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Murray also reached #1 on the RPM country and adult contemporary charts in Canada.
• Alabama covered the song in their 1997 album Dancin' on the Boulevard.
• Singer and DJ DJ Ötzi released a cover version of "Hey! Baby" in 2001. In 2002, it was re-released when it became the unofficial theme song for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It reached #1 in UK, France, Australia and Japan.
• Bobby G. Rice released a cover version in 1970, which reached #35 on the country music charts.^[2]
• A cover version can also be found on the album Yours Sincerely published in 1977 by the Algerian-French singer Sharif Dean.

In popular culture

• The song was also featured in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing and its hugely popular soundtrack.
• "Hey! Baby" is a song played by many U.S. college pep bands.
• DJ Ötzi's version of "Hey! Baby" is played during the 7th inning stretch at Coors Field during the Colorado Rockies home games. It is also played during the closing credits of the 2003 film "Kangaroo Jack", and at darts matches as a walk-on theme for BDO player Tony O'Shea

Chart positions

Anne Murray

References