37 Best Songs With Baby In The Title
Using the term “baby” for a romantic partner started in the 17th century. It is so common today that songs litter the radio with singers' impassioned pleas to their baby.
Keep reading for our list of the best songs with baby in the title.
Contents
“Baby, Please Don’t Go” by Lightnin’ Hopkins
Song year: 1949
The blues standard “Baby Please Don't Go” has become a staple of rock and roll music. Blues, doo-wop, r&b, and rock versions of the song kept it in the public's eye for most of the 20th century.
Lightnin' Hopkins tackled the song's iconic lead guitar and pleading vocal in the 40s, one of many bluesmen to pass the traditional tune along.
“C’mon Baby, Cry” by Orville Peck
Song year: 2022
Orville Peck has injected the country music scene with a dash of alternative style while maintaining the genre's roots-based sound.
Peck utilizes slide guitars and a story of sorrow on “C'mon Baby, Cry.” Where masculine notions of country music might traditionally mask the pain, Peck instead embraces a show of emotions.
“Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” by Nancy Sinatra
Song year: 1966
Nancy Sinatra's “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” is a moody, minimalist tale of young love and loss of youth. The guitar line is bolstered by a tremolo effect, creating a creepy groundwork for Sinatra's haunting vocals.
“Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” would find a second, well-deserved audience after being placed on the Kill Bill soundtrack in 2011.
“The KKK Took My Baby Away” by The Ramones
Song year: 1981
Though The Ramones are considered the fathers of punk rock music, rarely in their career did they ever write overtly political songs. “The KKK Took My Baby Away” is one of the few exceptions.
Using the tone of a teenage tragedy song, The Ramones tackle racism with a dash of hyper-charged doo-wop. The song is a middle career gem for the punk rockers.
“Cry Baby” by Janis Joplin
Song year: 1971
There are few things in music that give me as much joy as the way Janis Joplin's voice seems to split in half and harmonize with itself at the beginning of “Cry Baby.”
“Cry Baby” is one of the best torch songs of all time, with Joplin's vocals taking it to a devastatingly raw level.
“Baby’s In Black” by The Beatles
Song year: 1964
Firmly in the middle of their British Invasion takeover of the world, The Beatles began showing more depth in their influences with songs like “Baby's In Black.”
By combining blues with a folksy country flavor, The Beatles were beginning to explore a sound they would further develop on the following year's classic Rubber Soul.
“Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice
Song year: 1990
No conversation of 90s music would be complete without mentioning Vanilla Ice's “Ice Ice Baby.” Whether you love it or hate it, there is no doubt that “Ice Ice Baby” had an outsized influence on American culture.
The song became so popular that it helped oversaturate and eventually destroy Vanilla Ice's career. Too much ice, baby.
“Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow?” by The Rolling Stones
Song year: 1966
Despite the length of its title, this Rolling Stones song is a no-frills 60's rock and roll classic. The single would crack the top ten in the UK and US.
The horn section employed by the band is a nod to their love of r&b and would eventually become a staple of their most notable hits of the 70s.
“Baby Blue” by Badfinger
Song year: 1971
With the distinction of being the first band signed to The Beatles' Apple Records, Badfinger never found the success of other powerpop bands of their era.
Badfinger would experience a cult following that grew in the years following their demise. The band found a new generation when Breaking Bad used “Baby Blue” in their series finale.
“Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey
Song year: 1995
Mariah Carey hit on an unspoken sentiment of love lost on her hit “Always Be My Baby.” Carey doesn't carry a torch for her old love, realizing that the time they spent together will shape them for the rest of their lives.
“Always Be My Baby” was the eleventh hit single for Carey but wouldn't be her last of the decade.
“Coney Island Baby” by Lou Reed
Song year: 1976
Nostalgia rules the day on Lou Reed's “Coney Island Baby.” The song is about youth and love — framed by Coney Island and a high school football player.
Lou Reed would spend decades after The Velvet Underground dissolved recording solo records, but few ever felt as heartfelt as this.
“Real Love Baby” by Father John Misty
Song year: 2017
Generally known literate and biting lyricism, Father John Misty decided to tackle full-throttled romanticism on “Real Love Baby.”
Upon first listen, the track sounds like a love song by the numbers, but further listening reveals a sincere depth. Father John Misty uses his nostalgic rock backbone to tackle the human longing to belong.
“Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot
Song year: 1992
An ode to body positivity before we even had the term, Sir Mix-A-Lot hit pop paydirt with “Baby Got Back.”
“Baby Got Back” has a universal quality that seems to transcend generation. I've seen grandparents in walkers dance along to this at weddings and nightclubs erupt at its opening line.
“It’s All Over Now Baby Blue” by Bob Dylan
Song year: 1965
Bob Dylan has become such a towering figure in the music and history of the 20th century that scholars and writers have dissected who Dylan might be singing about on “It's All Over Baby Blue.”
The answer, like Dylan's lyrics, is opaque. But it doesn't matter whom Dylan is singing about, only that he gave us this masterpiece before he transitioned from folk to rock and roll.
“Baby” by Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris
Song year: 2010
It would be near impossible not to include Justin Bieber on this list. Bieber sings the word baby 55 times on his hit single “Baby.”
Some might find repeating the word baby over and over annoying, but it's hard to deny the urgency in his repetition.
“Baby I Need Your Loving” by Four Tops
Song year: 1964
Considered by many experts to be one of the greatest songs ever, The Four Tops' “Baby I Need Your Loving” has become a soul standard.
The song has been covered by dozens of artists and remains an enduring example of Motowns' influence on the development of soul music.
“…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears
Song year: 1998
Former Mouseketeer Britney Spears shed her kiddie image with the provocatively oblique lyrics to “…Baby One More Time.”
Thanks in part to a music video that dominated MTV, Britney Spears' first hit single would catapult her to massive fame. Spears' success paved the way for scores of similarly minded bubble-gum popstars at the beginning of the 21st century.
“Here Comes My Baby” by Cat Stevens
Song year: 1967
Initially recorded by British Invasion group The Tremeloes, Cat Steven's “Here Comes My Baby” is a classic pop song written from the perspective of someone in love with a person they can't have.
While Cat Steven's career would span decades and dip into spirituality, “Here Comes My Baby” remains a career-defining song.
“Picasso Baby” by Jay-Z
Song year: 2013
Unlike most songs on this list, “Picasso Baby” is not a love song. Instead, the single finds Jay-Z name-dropping famous artists and boasting about his skill, comparing them to Picasso.
The song represents the other side of Jay-Z's story, one where the rags-to-riches rapper has conquered the world with his art and become integral to the culture.
“Cry Like a Baby” by The Box Tops
Song year: 1968
Before former powerpop legends Big Star, Alex Chilton had several hits as a teenage singer with pop group The Box Tops.
On “Cry Like A Baby,” Chilton and The Box Tops spread a little southern sensibility into their pop, and with the addition of an electric sitar, created something wholly unique sounding for the radio.
“Baby Love” by The Supremes
Song year: 1964
A defining song of the Motown era, The Supremes' “Baby Love” is one of the most popular songs of all time and is often included amongst lists of the greatest songs ever.
The Supremes would top the charts dozens of times, but “Baby Love” stands as their most enduring hit.
“Baby” by Donnie & Joe Emerson
Song year: 1979
Donnie and Joe Emerson self-released their debut album from a small town in rural Washington. It wasn't until several decades later that record collectors discovered the duo, but when they did, the song “Baby” stood out as an instant classic.
“Baby” is a heartfelt and mellow proclamation of love worthy of a slow dance at every middle school mixer.
“Baby Baby” by The Vibrators
Song year: 1977
Sometimes a love song can be as simple as telling someone they're pretty and asking them to be yours, which is what The Vibrators do on the punk classic “Baby Baby.”
With snarling guitars and an anthemic chorus, “Baby Baby” perfectly captures the simplicity and raw energy of young love.
“Baby’s On Fire” by Die Antwoord
Song year: 2012
South African duo Die Antwoord took the internet by storm in the 2010s with their unique aesthetic and imaginative music videos. This is exemplified by their single “Baby's On Fire.”
Pulling their style from Zef culture, a low-brow socio-political fashion movement from South Africa, Die Antwoord looks and sounds like nothing else.
“Baby, What You Want Me To Do” by Elvis Presley
Song year: 1968
Written as a blues tune by Jimmy Reed, Elvis would perform “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” during his 1968 television special.
The inclusion of “Baby, What You Want me To Do” in the '68 setlist represented Presley's r&b roots, and as part of the television special, it would help revitalize Elvis' career.
“Baby Strange” by T. Rex
Song year: 1972
Marc Bolan and his band T. Rex helped shape the look and sound of glam rock by combining basic blues guitar riffs with soulful singing and fantastical lyrics.
On “Baby Strange,” Bolan is taken by a strange object of his desire and makes his appeal to for them to give him a chance over a boogie beat.
“I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little Bit More Baby” by Barry White
Song year: 1973
Barry White is generally known for his deep voice and mellow, funky love songs. But on “I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby,” White stretches things out a while.
Allowing a hard-hitting rhythm section to inject some grit into his sound, White's “I'm Gonna Love You Just A Litte More Baby” is seven minutes of 70s soul perfection.
“Baby Britain” by Elliott Smith
Song year: 1998
Elliott Smith was one of the defining songwriters of his generation. By adding a classic pop sensibility to his punkish energy and lyricism, Smith attracted a diverse audience.
Smith would battle addiction throughout his life. The song “Baby Britain” gives us insight into his struggles as a character study about an alcoholic.
“I Can’t Quit You Baby” by Led Zeppelin
Song year: 1969
“I Can't Quit You Babe” was first recorded by blues artist Otis Rush in Chicago in the 50s. The song was a hit for Rush and quickly became a blues standard.
The lusty, slow tempo blues of the song attracted Led Zeppelin. They would cover it on their 1969 debut album, beginning their career-long obsession with blues numbers.
“Dream Baby Dream” by Bruce Springsteen
Song year: 2013
First performed by electronic music pioneers Suicide, Bruce Springsteen has made “Dream Baby Dream” a staple of his live set since 2005.
Nearly a decade later, he would record a studio version, cementing the song as part of his massive body of work. After starting as a minimalist, art-rock tune, “Dream Baby Dream” is now a fist-pumping, arena rock anthem.
“No. 13 Baby” by Pixies
Song year: 1989
If anyone claims to know what Pixies “No. 13 Baby” is about, they're lying. The opaque lyricism of the band was one of their trademarks, along with the alternating loud/soft dynamic present on “No. 13 Baby.”
Maybe it's a love song. It's definitely about a girl. None of that matters, though. “No. 13 Baby” was just the form used to reshape alternative rock.
“Baby Ride Easy” by Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
Song year: 1985
Originally recorded for a television Christmas special, Johnny and June Carter Cash would record a studio version of “Baby Ride Easy” that wouldn't see the light of day for three decades.
The posthumous release of “Baby Ride Easy” reminded us how beautifully these titans of roots music sang together.
“Little Baby” by M. Ward
Song year: 2016
In a rare literal use of the term, M. Ward sings about an actual child on his track “Little Baby.”
Over gentle doo-wop vocalizations, Ward dreams of the life lessons one could cull from the innocence and utter lack of experience of a baby.
“Baby Lemonade” by Syd Barrett
Song year: 1970
Syd Barrett began his career as the driving force behind Pink Floyd. Personifying the artist's temperament to a destructive level, he was fired after his behavior deteriorated.
Barrett would record “Baby Lemonade” on his final solo album, 1970's Barrett. The song, like much of Barrett's behavior, made no sense.
“Hey Baby” by The Cactus Blossoms
Song year: 2022
Minneapolis-based roots rock group The Cactus Blossoms appeal to their significant other to help them find life's silver lining on their single “Hey Baby.”
Comprised of a group of brothers, The Cactus Blossoms continue in a long line of folk and Americana music. “Hey Baby” and its rootsy pop sound keep the acoustic musical tradition alive.
“Baby I’m Burnin’” by Dolly Parton
Song year: 1978
Dolly Parton is an American treasure. Whether she's writing hit songs, building amusement parks, or donating to charity, Parton is constantly making a mark on our culture.
Parton injected a little bit of the disco sound to her folksy songwriting on the single “Baby I'm Burnin'.” The song spent time on the pop, country, and dance charts.
“Bring My Baby Back” by Dr. Dog
Song year: 2016
Taking their cues equally from outsider DIY artists and The Beatles, Philadelphia's Dr. Dog was an under-the-radar but vital part of the indie rock scene in the 00s and 10s.
“Bring My Baby Back” is framed as a love song, but its allusions to the radio make this seem a poignant comment on the success that alluded Dr. Dog throughout their career.
Top Songs With Baby in the Title, Final Thoughts
Through thick and thin, whether singing about star-crossed lovers or a bad romance, pop stars are always appealing to their babies. It's the perfect term for pop — something neutral enough to apply to everyone yet loaded with subconscious meaning. No wonder we're always hearing it. Whether you're thinking about your baby or hoping to be someone else's baby, we hope you enjoyed our list of the best songs with baby in the title.
