History of the Rock & Roll Era: "Be My Baby"

In the first month of my History of Rock & Roll Era class, we hit "Be My Baby" (1963) by The Ronettes, and who can argue with such an incandescent blast of raging hormones and girl group glee? If you need a reminder, here ya go:

The song was added to the National Registry of the Library of Congress in 2006:

https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/BE%20MY%20BABY.pdf

More info on "Be My Baby" is here:

https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-tracks-ronettes-be-my-baby

And here's an essay from the BBC on why "Be My Baby" is oh so perfect:

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200811-why-be-my-baby-is-the-perfect-pop-song

Amid its many charms, "Be My Baby" has quite a remarkable drum figure, courtesy of the legendary Hal Blaine (of the L.A. group of session musicians who became known as The Wrecking Crew, who of course have their own documentary). That insistent drum beat has popped up in a lot of places, as these links will tell you:

https://music.avclub.com/kick-kick-kick-snare-repeat-15-songs-that-borrow-the-1798240471

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7866041/the-ronettes-be-my-baby-drum-intro-artists-sample-interview

https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/30-songs-use-hal-blaines-iconic-be-my-baby-beat

Aside from the beat from "Bo Diddley," it's hard to think of a more distinct piece of rhythmic insistence in rock and roll history. Here are two of my favorite interpolations of that beat:

"Don't Worry Baby" (1964) by The Beach Boys:

"You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve" (2006) by Johnny Boy:

What's your favorite example of the "Be My Baby" beat?

Comments

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