Songfacts®:

• This song was written by the team of Phil Hurtt and Bunny Sigler, who worked out of Philadelphia International Records before they were signed by Atlantic. Hurtt and Sigler were assigned the Soul singer Jackie Moore, who had a #30 hit in 1971 with "Precious, Precious."
  
  "Sweet Charlie Babe" is about a guy who plays the field, but is so desirable that Moore is in love with him anyway. According to Phil Hurtt, the title was inspired by his cousin, Charles Roberts, who used to declare himself "Sweet Charlie" because all the girls loved him. Hurtt says the lothario in the song was a composite of Roberts and someone else he doesn't want to name.
• 1973 was a great year to record at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, where this song was done. The musicians there were some of the best in the business, and that business was exploding. After these guys did the Soul Train theme song (credited to their moniker MFSB), musicians descended on Sigma looking for that hit Soul sound.