In 1961, The Ronettes, the New York girl group of Veronica (Ronnie) Bennett, her sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley, were signed to Colpix Records and released a handful of singles, but nothing came of it. hit. In 1963, the trio caught the eye of producer Phil Spector and moved to Philles Records, expanding their sound with his famous “Wall of Sound” production technique.

At first, Spector asked the band to record a song “Why Don’t They Let Us Fall in Love”, written by songwriting duo Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, who were married at the time and had previously written a a number of hits in 1963 and 1964 for other girl groups, including “Chapel Of Love” by the Dixie Cups, “Da Doo Ron Ron” by the Crystals and “Leader of the Pack” by the Shangri-Las.

As usual, Spector is also credited as songwriter on the track, but ultimately opted for another song written by Barry and Greenwich, “Be My Baby”, as the Ronettes’ lead single.

Backed by a group of musicians, including guitarists Tommy Tedesco and Bill Pitman, pianist Don Randi, bassist Ray Pohlman, drummers Hal Blaine and Frank Capp, and keyboardist Al de Lory, as well as the string section and backing vocals of new couple Sonny and Cher. , starring Darlene Love—“Be My Baby” was recorded at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood, California on July 5, 1963.

Sung by Veronica (Ronnie Spector), who pierced every lyric with her big voice, “Be My Baby” tells the story of an immediate romantic connection and a girl who craves the attention of a particular guy. .

The night we met, I knew I needed you so much
And if I had the chance, I’d never let you go
So won’t you say you love me
I will make you so proud of me
We’ll turn their heads wherever we go

In his 1995 memoir aptly titled be my baby, Spector said she rehearsed the song for weeks and spent days perfecting her vocals, perfecting all of her “oh-oh-ohs” and “whoas”, before recording.

“In the studio I had to hide in the ladies room so the musicians could do their job – I was very pretty and they kept staring at me,” Ronnie Spector said in a 2015 interview. was in there, I made up all these “Oh oh ohs”, inspired by my old Frankie Lymon records. It took me three days to record my voice, take after take.

I’ll make you happy, baby, wait and see
For every kiss you give me, I’ll give you three
Oh, since the day I saw you
I waited for you
You know that I will adore you until eternity

Upon its release the same year, “Be My Baby” became an instant hit for The Ronettes. The band toured with Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars, and the legendary host even declared “It will be the record of the century” on his TV music show. American bandstand.

Eventually, the Ronettes would include “Be My Baby” on their first and only album together. Introducing the Fabulous Ronettes with Veronica, released in 1964 and also included the group’s hit “Baby, I Love You”.

Although the Ronettes broke up in 1967, “Be My Baby” remains their biggest hit. Reach #2 on the Billboard 100 when it was released, it was also the group’s only Top 10 song. In 1999, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, marking 35 years since its release. In 2006, “Be My Baby” was also added to the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.

Over the years, “Be My Baby” has made its way into film – 1987 film opening sequence dirty dance– and has been covered several times. In 1986, Eddie Money sampled “Be My Baby” on his hit “Take Me Home Tonight”, also featuring Spector on vocals.

In 1973, John Lennon recorded a rendition of “Be My Baby” during his sessions for his 1973 album rock n roll, which was later published on the John Lennon Anthology in 1998.

Beach Boy co-founder Brian Wilson, who has always loved the song, wrote a response to the 1963 classic on the band’s 1964 release “Don’t Worry Baby”, which Spector later covered on his album from 1999. She talks to rainbows.

Photos: Ruven Afanador / Courtesy of the artist