She's My Baby

Album: Volume Three (1990)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This rocker marked the return of the Traveling Wilburys, who released their first album in 1988 with the lineup of George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. Just weeks after that album was released, Orbison died of a heart attack. The four remaining Wilburys decided to make another album without him, which they jokingly titled Volume 3 even though it was their second album. "She's My Baby" was the lead single.

    The song and album weren't as well received as their previous material, and the Wilburys folded the tent soon after.
  • All four group members wrote this song and share the lead vocals. Petty, Harrison, and Lynne could spend months polishing a song, but with the Wilburys they kept the polish on the shelf, writing and recording pretty much on the fly. A lot of what they came up with has a throwback sound evoking '50s rock. You can certainly hear it on this track, where they're just having fun, singing about a special girl:

    She can drive a truck
    She can drive a train
    She can even drive an aeroplane
  • The Northern Irish guitar great Gary Moore played the solo on this track. It seems strange the a group with George Harrison would bring in a guest guitarist, but that's how Harrison rolled. With The Beatles, he was happy to have Eric Clapton along for "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
  • Each group member was assigned a Wilbury name, which changed for this album, where they became:

    George Harrison: Spike Wilbury
    Bob Dylan: Boo Wilbury
    Tom Petty: Muddy Wilbury
    Jeff Lynne: Clayton Wilbury

    Gary Moore was credited as Ken Wilbury.
  • In their videos, the group liked to portray themselves as troubadours, befitting their name. The "She's My Baby" video was directed by David Leland and shows them arriving in a ballroom where they form a circle and perform the song. On drums is Jim Keltner, the session player who appeared on their albums and in their videos.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.