Darling Baby (song)
| "Darling Baby" | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Elgins | |
| from the album Darling Baby | |
| A-side | "Put Yourself In My Place" |
| Released | December 31, 1965[1] |
| Recorded | October 26, 1965 |
| Studio | Hitsville U.S.A. |
| Genre | Soul, R&B, pop |
| Length | 2:34 |
| Label | Motown/V.I.P. Records |
| Songwriters | Brian Holland Lamont Dozier Eddie Holland |
| Producer | Holland-Dozier-Holland |
"Darling Baby" is a 1965 song by the Elgins. Written and produced by Holland–Dozier–Holland, it was released on Motown's VIP label and features lead vocals by Saundra Edwards. The song is a soul ballad characterized by its lyrics expressing romantic heartbreak and longing. It became one of the group's most successful recordings, reaching number four on the Billboard R&B chart[2] and number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3][4]
Background and composition
The track is heavily based on co-writer Lamont Dozier's 1960 solo record "Let's Talk It Over" (released under his pseudonym Lamont Anthony),[5] recycling its core melody and prominent vocal hook: "Come back to these arms of mine... let's talk it over baby, one more time." Originally recorded as a 1964 backing track for The Supremes, H-D-H repurposed the music for The Elgins.[6]
Chart performance
| Chart (1966) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 72 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B Singles | 4 |
Cover versions
American R&B singer Jackie Moore recorded a version of "Darling Baby" for her album Sweet Charlie Babe. Moore's rendition was released as a single and reached number 22 on the Billboard R&B chart[7] and number 106 on the Billboard pop chart. Rose Banks, Sly Stone's sister, recorded a cover in 1976.[8]
References
- ↑ "Darling Baby by The Elgins" – via secondhandsongs.com.
- ↑ Billboard. (1965, December 25). Billboard, 77(52), 64. Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?id=-SgEAAAAMBAJ
- ↑ Billboard. (1965, October 16). Billboard, 77(42), 22. Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?id=0ygEAAAAMBAJ
- ↑ "The Elgins".
- ↑ "Lamont Anthony - Benny The Skinny Man / Let's Talk It Over". Discogs. June 21, 1960.
- ↑ Classic Motown. (n.d.). The Elgins: The story behind the image. https://classic.motown.com/story/the-elgins-story-behind-the-image/
- ↑ Billboard. (1971, April 24). Billboard, 83(17), 32. Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?id=vigEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32
- ↑ "Rose Banks - Rose". Discogs. June 21, 1976.