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{{Short description|Popular jazz song written by Harry Akst}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Baby Face
| name = Baby Face
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| genre = [[Disco music|Disco]]
| genre = [[Disco music|Disco]]
| length = 3:13 (single version); 6:50 (album version)
| length = 3:13 (single version); 6:50 (album version)
| label = [[Wing and a Prayer Record Label Co.]]
| label = Wing and a Prayer Record Label Co.
| producer =
| producer =
}}
}}
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The first full version of the song sung on record was released later that same year by [[Whispering Jack Smith]], backed on piano by Arthur Johnston. Smith sang in a half-talking style and started the first verse with "baby cheeks" instead of the familiar "rosy cheeks." He started the second verse with "When you were just a baby, and that's not so long ago."<ref>"Baby Face", Jack Smith, Victor Records release no. 20229, recorded September 22, 1926</ref>
The first full version of the song sung on record was released later that same year by [[Whispering Jack Smith]], backed on piano by Arthur Johnston. Smith sang in a half-talking style and started the first verse with "baby cheeks" instead of the familiar "rosy cheeks." He started the second verse with "When you were just a baby, and that's not so long ago."<ref>"Baby Face", Jack Smith, Victor Records release no. 20229, recorded September 22, 1926</ref>


==Recordings==
==Recorded by many==
"Baby Face" was performed and recorded by many recording artists of the time, including [[Al Jolson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1633218/m1/|title=Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #13|first=John|last=Gilliland|date=October 19, 2020|website=UNT Digital Library}}</ref> It has remained a commonly performed song.
"Baby Face" was performed and recorded by many recording artists of the time, including [[Al Jolson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1633218/m1/|title=Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #13|first=John|last=Gilliland|date=October 19, 2020|website=UNT Digital Library}}</ref> It has remained a commonly performed song.


An instrumental version of the song was used in the 1933 film ''[[Baby Face (film)|Baby Face]]'' starring Barbara Stanwyck.
An instrumental version of the song was used in the 1933 film ''[[Baby Face (film)|Baby Face]]'' starring Barbara Stanwyck.


In 1958, [[Little Richard]] peaked at #12 on the R&B chart and #41 on the pop chart with his version of the song.<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=356}}</ref> It also reached #2 in the UK in January 1959, becoming Little Richard's highest charting single in the United Kingdom.
In 1958, [[Little Richard]] peaked at No. 12 on the R&B chart and No. 41 on the pop chart with his version of the song.<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=356}}</ref> It also reached No. 2 in the UK in January 1959, becoming Little Richard's highest-charting single in the United Kingdom.


In 1962, American singer [[Bobby Darin]] recorded a version as a single.
In 1962, American singer [[Bobby Darin]] recorded a version as a single. It reached #21 in [[CHUM Chart|Canada]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chumtribute.com/62-10-22-chart.jpg| title=CHUM Hit Parade - October 22, 1962}}</ref>


In 1967, a refrain was mixed with the Hallelujah chorus in ''[[Thoroughly Modern Millie]]''.
In 1967, a refrain was mixed with the Hallelujah chorus in ''[[Thoroughly Modern Millie]]''.


In 1974, in the [[Paul McCartney and Wings]] special ''[[One Hand Clapping (film)|One Hand Clapping]]'', McCartney performed the song at a piano. He later sang the song on his 2007 [[Paul McCartney's Secret Tour 2007|Secret Tour]].
In 1974, in the [[Paul McCartney and Wings]] special ''[[One Hand Clapping (film)|One Hand Clapping]]'', McCartney performed the song at a piano, a recording of which was released on the 2024 album of the same name. He later sang the song on his 2007 [[Paul McCartney's Secret Tour 2007|Secret Tour]].


In late 1975, [[disco]] studio group [[Wing and a Prayer Fife and Drum Corps]] recorded a version of the song where it peaked at number two for two weeks on the disco chart.<ref>{{cite book |title= Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=282}}</ref> This version also went to #32 on the soul chart, #6 [[Easy Listening]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=260}}</ref> and #14 on the [[Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=632}}</ref> during the winter of 1976. In the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at #12, in February 1976, spending 7 weeks within the Top 50.
In late 1975, [[disco]] studio group [[Wing and a Prayer Fife and Drum Corps]] recorded a version of the song where it peaked at number two for two weeks on the disco chart.<ref>{{cite book |title= Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=282}}</ref> This version also went to No. 32 on the soul chart, No. 6 [[Easy Listening]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=260}}</ref> and No. 14 on the [[Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=632}}</ref> during the winter of 1976. In [[RPM (magazine)|Canada]] the song reached No. 8,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.4101a.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Singles - March 13, 1976}}</ref> and was No. 98 in the top 200 of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.5173b.pdf| title=RPM Top 200 of 1976 - January 8, 1977}}</ref> In the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at No. 12, in February 1976, spending 7 weeks within the Top 50.


On December 31, 1976, bandleader [[Guy Lombardo]] and the Royal Canadians kicked off their New Year's Eve concert (a tradition since 1929), with an instrumental performance of the song on [[CBS]] television.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL60HdslvOk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/pL60HdslvOk |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Guy Lombardo's Final New Year's Eve. Appearance - New Year's Eve. 1976-1977 - YouTube|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The concert was Lombardo's last before his death on November 5, 1977. The Royal Canadians New Year's specials would end on the network in 1978.
On December 31, 1976, bandleader [[Guy Lombardo]] and the Royal Canadians kicked off their New Year's Eve concert (a tradition since 1929), with an instrumental performance of the song on [[CBS]] television.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL60HdslvOk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/pL60HdslvOk |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Guy Lombardo's Final New Year's Eve. Appearance - New Year's Eve. 1976-1977 - YouTube|website=www.youtube.com|date=27 December 2012 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> The concert was Lombardo's last before his death on November 5, 1977. The Royal Canadians New Year's specials would end on the network in 1978.


In 1978, actress-singer [[Cheryl Ladd]] performed the song as a song-and-dance number on the "General Electric All Star Anniversary" TV show, aired by [[American Broadcasting Company]] on September 29, 1978.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQNrJMXubnQ|title=Cheryl Ladd, "Baby Face" Production Number, 1978|website=www.youtube.com|date=13 November 2022 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
⚫
[[Swan Districts Football Club|Swan Districts]], an [[Australian rules football|Australian Rules]] club in [[West Australian Football League|the WAFL]] since 1934, bases [[Swan Districts Football Club#Club Song|its club song]] on this tune.


⚫
[[Swan Districts Football Club|Swan Districts]], an [[Australian rules football|Australian Rules]] club in [[West Australian Football League|the WAFL]], bases [[Swan Districts Football Club#Club Song|its club song]] on this tune.
⚫
A version done by the Muppet Chickens appears on ''[[The Muppet Show 2]]'' album. The first singing of it was done with a simple beat in the background, then the rest of the song is sung with more [[rock n roll|rock]]-oriented background music.

⚫
A version done by the Muppet Chickens appears on ''[[The Muppet Show 2]]'' album. The first singing of it was done with a simple beat in the background, then the rest of the song is sung with more [[rock n roll|rock]]-oriented background music. This version was also performed by Muppet performers [[Richard Hunt (puppeteer)|Richard Hunt]], [[Jerry Nelson]], [[Frank Oz]], [[Dave Goelz]], [[Steve Whitmire]], and [[Kevin Clash]], in character as the chickens, at [[Jim Henson]]'s memorial service in 1990 during a segment where they performed Henson's favorite songs.


Other major recordings of the song have been (<small>''listed alphabetically''</small>) by:
Other major recordings of the song have been (<small>''listed alphabetically''</small>) by:
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Beau-Marks]] 1960
* [[Julie Andrews]] (1967)
* [[Billy Vaughan]]
* [[Beau-Marks]] (1960)
⚫
* [[James Booker]]
* [[Eddie Cantor]]
* [[Vikki Carr]] (1965)
⚫
* [[Jo Ann Castle]] (1964)
⚫
* [[The Crew-Cuts]] (1960)
* [[Bing Crosby]]
* [[Bing Crosby]]
* [[Bobby Vee]] 1961
* [[Dave Edmunds]] (1999)
* [[Brenda Lee]] 1959
* [[Tiny Hill]]
* [[Brian Hyland]] 1960
* [[Brian Hyland]] (1960)
* [[Dave Edmunds]] 1999
* [[The Kinks]] (1972)
* [[Eddie Cantor]]
* [[Sammy Kaye]] (1948)
* [[Brenda Lee]] (1959)
⚫
* [[Mitch Miller]]
⚫
* [[Sal Mineo]] (1958)
⚫
* [[The Muppets]] (1978)
⚫
* [[Marie Osmond]]
* [[Elis Regina]]
* [[Elis Regina]]
* [[Smilin' Jack Smith|Jack Smith]] 1948
⚫
* [[James Booker]]
⚫
* [[Jo Ann Castle]] 1964
* [[Julie Andrews]] 1967
⚫
* [[Marie Osmond]]
⚫
* [[Mitch Miller]]
⚫
* [[Roberta Sherwood]] 1957 & 1963
⚫
* [[Sal Mineo]] 1958
⚫
* [[The Crew-Cuts]] 1960
⚫
* [[The Muppets]] 1978
* [[The Revelers]]
* [[The Revelers]]
⚫
* [[Roberta Sherwood]] (1957 and 1963)
* [[Tiny Hill]]
* [[Tiny Tim (musician)|Tiny Tim]] 1987
* [[Smilin' Jack Smith|Jack Smith]] (1948)
* [[Whispering Jack Smith]] (1926)
* [[Tiny Tim (musician)|Tiny Tim]] (1987)
* [[Vampire Rodents]]
* [[Vampire Rodents]]
* [[Vikki Carr]] 1965
* [[Billy Vaughan]]
* [[Whispering Jack Smith]] 1926
* [[Bobby Vee]] (1961)
* [[Little Richard]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/baby-face-mw0000689063 | title=Baby Face - Little Richard &#124; Album &#124; AllMusic | website=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>
}}
}}


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In 1976, the Brady family performed the song for the opening number for the pilot episode of ''[[The Brady Bunch Hour|The Brady Bunch Variety Hour]]''.
In 1976, the Brady family performed the song for the opening number for the pilot episode of ''[[The Brady Bunch Hour|The Brady Bunch Variety Hour]]''.


Then 85 year old [[Mae West]] performed a rendition in the 1978 film ''[[Sextette]]''.
⚫
A parody of the song, retitled "Baby Pants," was used in a [[Luvs]] [[diapers]] [[TV commercial]] in the 1980s.<ref>Luvs Babypants, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7HVK-pjWsw</ref>


⚫
A parody, retitled "Baby Pants", was used in a [[Luvs]] [[diapers]] [[TV commercial]] in the 1980s.<ref>Luvs Babypants, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7HVK-pjWsw</ref>
{{Infobox song
| name = Baby Face
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Wande Coal]]
| released = 5 November 2013
| recorded = 2013
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Afrobeats]]
| length = 3:04)
| label = [[Mavin Records]]
| producer = [[Shizzi]]
}}


==References==
==References==
Line 133: Line 125:
*{{YouTube|WAcLF2-rBIc|Al Jolson performing "Baby Face"}}
*{{YouTube|WAcLF2-rBIc|Al Jolson performing "Baby Face"}}
*{{YouTube|R8pp6Jjj1Ug|Brenda Lee's version over clips of Judy Garland}}
*{{YouTube|R8pp6Jjj1Ug|Brenda Lee's version over clips of Judy Garland}}
*{{YouTube|oQNrJMXubnQ|Cheryl Ladd, "Baby Face" Production Number, 1978}}


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}



[[Category:1926 songs]]
[[Category:1926 songs]]
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[[Category:Little Richard songs]]
[[Category:Little Richard songs]]
[[Category:Whispering Jack Smith songs]]
[[Category:Whispering Jack Smith songs]]
[[Category:Disco songs]]
[[Category:American disco songs]]
[[Category:Songs with music by Harry Akst]]
[[Category:Songs with music by Harry Akst]]
[[Category:Songs written by Benny Davis]]
[[Category:Songs written by Benny Davis]]

Latest revision as of 09:52, 5 October 2024

"Baby Face"
Single by Jan Garber
Released1926
Composer(s)Harry Akst
Lyricist(s)Benny Davis
"Baby Face"
Single by Little Richard
from the album Little Richard
B-side"I'll Never Let You Go (Boo Hoo Hoo Hoo)"
ReleasedJuly 1958
StudioJ&M Studio, New Orleans, Louisiana
GenreRock & Roll
LabelSpecialty
Producer(s)Robert "Bumps" Blackwell
Little Richard singles chronology
"Ooh! My Soul"
(1958) 		"Baby Face"
(1958) 		"She Knows How to Rock/Early One Morning"
(1959)
"Baby Face"
Single by Wing and a Prayer Fife and Drum Corps
from the album Babyface
B-side"Baby Face (Special Long Version)"
ReleasedOctober 1975
Recorded1975
GenreDisco
Length3:13 (single version); 6:50 (album version)
LabelWing and a Prayer Record Label Co.

"Baby Face" is a popular Tin Pan Alley jazz song. The music was written by Harry Akst, with lyrics by Benny Davis, and the song was published in 1926.

The first recording of it was by Jan Garber and his Orchestra, featuring lyricist Benny Davis singing the chorus only. The record was a number one hit in 1926.

The first full version of the song sung on record was released later that same year by Whispering Jack Smith, backed on piano by Arthur Johnston. Smith sang in a half-talking style and started the first verse with "baby cheeks" instead of the familiar "rosy cheeks." He started the second verse with "When you were just a baby, and that's not so long ago."[1]

Recordings

[edit]

"Baby Face" was performed and recorded by many recording artists of the time, including Al Jolson.[2] It has remained a commonly performed song.

An instrumental version of the song was used in the 1933 film Baby Face starring Barbara Stanwyck.

In 1958, Little Richard peaked at No. 12 on the R&B chart and No. 41 on the pop chart with his version of the song.[3] It also reached No. 2 in the UK in January 1959, becoming Little Richard's highest-charting single in the United Kingdom.

In 1962, American singer Bobby Darin recorded a version as a single. It reached #21 in Canada.[4]

In 1967, a refrain was mixed with the Hallelujah chorus in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

In 1974, in the Paul McCartney and Wings special One Hand Clapping, McCartney performed the song at a piano, a recording of which was released on the 2024 album of the same name. He later sang the song on his 2007 Secret Tour.

In late 1975, disco studio group Wing and a Prayer Fife and Drum Corps recorded a version of the song where it peaked at number two for two weeks on the disco chart.[5] This version also went to No. 32 on the soul chart, No. 6 Easy Listening[6] and No. 14 on the Hot 100[7] during the winter of 1976. In Canada the song reached No. 8,[8] and was No. 98 in the top 200 of the year.[9] In the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at No. 12, in February 1976, spending 7 weeks within the Top 50.

On December 31, 1976, bandleader Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians kicked off their New Year's Eve concert (a tradition since 1929), with an instrumental performance of the song on CBS television.[10] The concert was Lombardo's last before his death on November 5, 1977. The Royal Canadians New Year's specials would end on the network in 1978.

In 1978, actress-singer Cheryl Ladd performed the song as a song-and-dance number on the "General Electric All Star Anniversary" TV show, aired by American Broadcasting Company on September 29, 1978.[11]

Swan Districts, an Australian Rules club in the WAFL, bases its club song on this tune.

A version done by the Muppet Chickens appears on The Muppet Show 2 album. The first singing of it was done with a simple beat in the background, then the rest of the song is sung with more rock-oriented background music. This version was also performed by Muppet performers Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and Kevin Clash, in character as the chickens, at Jim Henson's memorial service in 1990 during a segment where they performed Henson's favorite songs.

Other major recordings of the song have been (listed alphabetically) by:

[edit]

In 1976, the Brady family performed the song for the opening number for the pilot episode of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.

Then 85 year old Mae West performed a rendition in the 1978 film Sextette.

A parody, retitled "Baby Pants", was used in a Luvs diapers TV commercial in the 1980s.[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Baby Face", Jack Smith, Victor Records release no. 20229, recorded September 22, 1926
  2. ^ Gilliland, John (October 19, 2020). "Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #13". UNT Digital Library.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 356.
  4. ^ "CHUM Hit Parade - October 22, 1962".
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 282.
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 260.
  7. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 632.
  8. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - March 13, 1976" (PDF).
  9. ^ "RPM Top 200 of 1976 - January 8, 1977" (PDF).
  10. ^ "Guy Lombardo's Final New Year's Eve. Appearance - New Year's Eve. 1976-1977 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. 27 December 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  11. ^ "Cheryl Ladd, "Baby Face" Production Number, 1978". www.youtube.com. 13 November 2022.
  12. ^ "Baby Face - Little Richard | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  13. ^ Luvs Babypants, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7HVK-pjWsw
[edit]
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