Baby-Baby-Baby
by TLC

Album: Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip (1992)
Charted: 55 2
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Oh baby. TLC made a big impact with this smooth R&B number, which finds them setting clear expectations for their man. They expect full commitment (no part-time lovin') and lots of good conversation.

    It was released as their second single, following the much more energetic and libidinous "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg," where it's the lovin' they need, not the conversation. That song did well on pop radio (in edited form) and on hip-hop stations, but "Baby-Baby-Baby" was a crossover, getting them on more adult-leaning formats and saturating pop. The Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip album went on to sell over 4 million copies, and they proved even more versatile on their next album, CrazySexyCool, with the hits "Creep" and "Waterfalls."
  • "Baby-Baby-Baby" was written and produced by the team of L.A. Reid, Babyface and Daryl Simmons. The song spent six weeks at #2 in America without ever reaching the top spot, but that was their own fault: The song that held it back all six weeks was "End Of The Road" by Boyz II Men, which they also wrote and produced. These guys were red hot - they also had hits with Bobby Brown ("Humpin' Around") and Toni Braxton ("Give U My Heart") around this time. "End Of The Road" was used on the soundtrack to the movie Boomerang, which they worked on. TLC appeared on the soundtrack as well, singing on the track "Reversal of a Dog."
  • "Baby" songs were big around this time. Amy Grant had a #1 hit a year earlier with "Baby Baby," and when "Baby-Baby-Baby" was on the charts, "Baby Got Back" was still hanging around.
  • Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes didn't get a lead in this song because there was no place to insert a rap on the ballad. T-Boz did the lead vocal with Chilli taking the pre-chorus ("Long as you know that I could have any man I want to...").
  • The music video was shot at Bowie State University in Maryland, although in some shots T-Boz is wearing a sweatshirt for Grambling State, another HBCU. The ladies of TLC were college age at the time, so they fit right in with the coeds.

    The video was directed by the Atlanta-based Keith Ward, who also did "No Nose Job" for Digital Underground and "Mr. Wendal" for Arrested Development.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.