About The Song

“Baby It’s You” is a song written by Burt Bacharach (music), Luther Dixon (credited as Barney Williams), and Mack David (lyrics). It was recorded by the Shirelles and was a hit.  When released as a single in 1961, it became a Top 10 smash on the Pop and R&B Charts. It reached number 3 on the R&B chart and peaked at number 8 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. It later appeared on the album Baby It’s You,named to capitalize upon the success of the single. The vocal arrangements on this version proved influential in subsequent ones, including that by the Beatles. One notable feature of the song is its minor-to-major key chord changes on the verses.

The Shirelles’ vocals were added directly to Bacharach’s demo recording.

A musical about The Shirelles and their label boss Florence Greenberg called Baby It’s You! opened on Broadway in 2011 and closed after one season.

Video

Lyrics

Sha-la-la-la-la
Sha-la-la-la-la
Sha-la-la-la-la
Sha-la-la-la-la
It’s not the way you smile that touched my heart
Sha-la-la-la-la
It’s not the way you kiss that tears me apart
Whoa, many, many nights roll by
I sit alone at home and cry over you
What can I do?
I can’t help myself
When, baby, it’s you
Sha-la-la-la-la
Baby, it’s you
Sha-la-la-la-la
Sha-la-la-la-la
You should hear what they say about you (cheat, cheat)
Sha-la-la-la-la
They say, they say you never, never, never been true (cheat, cheat)
Whoa, doesn’t matter what they say
I know I’m gonna love you any old way
What can I do when it’s true?
I don’t want nobody, nobody, no
Baby, it’s you
Sha-la-la-la-la
Baby, it’s you
Sha-la-la-la-la
Whoa, many, many nights roll by
I sit alone at home and cry over you
What can I do?
I can’t help myself
‘Cause, baby, it’s you
Sha-la-la-la-la
Baby, it’s you
Sha-la-la-la-la
Don’t leave me alone
Sha-la-la-la-la
Come on home
Sha-la-la-la-la