B-side "Bashful Bob" Format Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM Genre Pop | Released July 20, 1961 Recorded 1961 Length 2:36 | |
"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.
Contents
Bobby Vee versions
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.
Bobby Vinton version
In 1968, the song was released by Bobby Vinton as a single and on his album, Take Good Care of My Baby. Vinton's version became a hit, spending 8 weeks on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 33, while reaching No. 14 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart, No. 36 on Canada's "RPM 100", and No. 16 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade. Vinton's version omitted the Introduction, plus the first two lines of the repeated refrain.
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.
Answer songs
An answer song, titled "I'll Take Good Care of Your Baby", was recorded by Ralph Emery. It was released as a single on Liberty F-55383, in 1961. Another answer song, titled "You Should Know I'm Still Your Baby", was recorded by Sammi Lynn. It was released as a single on Sue Records 45-752, in 1961.
In popular culture
In the Buchanan and Goodman novelty track "Berlin Top Ten", (1961), This song is excerpted when the father, who was a communist party member, wanted to dedicate this song to her daughter, in a settlement in Siberia for sabotaging a Soviot made rocket for putting the "RAMA" in the "RAMA LAMA DING DONG".
From 1999 to 2009, Take Good Care of My Baby was used in adverts for SMA Progress follow-on milk formula.