About the song
“There Goes My Baby” is a timeless classic that has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Written by Ben E. King, Lover Patterson, George Treadwell, and produced by the legendary duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, this song is a testament to the innovative spirit of the 1950s. Released in 1959, “There Goes My Baby” was the first single by the second incarnation of The Drifters, who had undergone a significant transformation after manager George Treadwell fired the original lineup.
This song marked a new era in R&B music, introducing a radically different approach to production that would go on to influence the development of soul music. The combination of Ben E. King’s powerful vocals, the soaring violin section, and the innovative use of strings and Brazilian rhythms created a sound that was both nostalgic and forward-thinking. The song’s loose, free-form structure and gospel-inspired harmonies added to its emotional impact, making it a standout hit that reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the R&B chart.
“There Goes My Baby” has become a beloved classic, covered by numerous artists and featured in various musical revues, including the hit Broadway show Smokey Joe’s Cafe. In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked the song #196 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, a testament to its enduring popularity and influence. This song is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolution of R&B and soul music, and its impact on the music industry as a whole.
Video
Lyrics
… Bom-bom (do-do-do-do-do)
There she goes (do-do-do-do-do)
There she goes (do-do-do-do-do)
Bom-bom (do-do-do-do)
Bom-bom (do-do-do-do)
… There goes my baby, movin’ on down the line
Wonder where, wonder where, wonder where she is bound?
I broke her heart and made her cry
Now I’m alone, so all alone
What can I do, what can I do?
… There goes my baby (whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh)
There goes my baby (yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah)
There goes my baby (whoa-oh-oh-oh)
There she goes, yeah, there she goes
… I wanna know if she loved me
Did she really love me?
Was she just playing me for a fool?
I wonder why she left me
Why did she leave me so all alone?
So all alone?
I was gonna tell her that I loved her
And that I need her
Beside my side to be my guide
… I wanna know, where is my – (do-do-do-do-do)
Where is my baby? (Do-do-do-do-do)
I want my baby (do-do-do-do-do)
I need my baby (do-do-do-do-do)
Yeah, whoa-oh-oh
… There goes my baby
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh
There goes my baby