(The Hit Hammer is where I'm reviewing each #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Starting from when the chart started in 1958 and eventually working my way to the present. To see my inspiration and more information about this blog, please refer to the "Poor Little Fool" post.)
Bobby Vee - "Take Good Care of My Baby"
Hit Number 1: September 18, 1961
Stay at Number 1: 3 Weeks
Earlier in 1961, the songwriting duo of Carole King and Gerry Goffin wrote the Shirelles' "Will You Love Me Tomorrow". Later in that same year, they would hit the top of the charts again, with another song that they had written but someone else recorded. That would be "Take Good Care of My Baby", and it was recorded by Bobby Vee, yet another one of those teen idols. Usually I have a hard time getting into anything that is labeled under the "teen idol" saga, but I don't get that impression on "Take Good Care of My Baby". It sounds like a song that would be recorded by any professional, and it doesn't sound cheesy, like most teen idol songs. Probably because it was written by such a great songwriting group.
Still, it took a little bit before "Take Good Care of My Baby" found its way to Vee. His producer was looking for material that Vee could record and he happened to hear a demo of King herself singing the song. His producer, Snuff Garrett, was convinced that it would be a great song for Vee to try out, but he wanted an introductory verse. Garrett told the publisher, Don Kirshner, and the verse was added to the song after Garrett met with King. The rest was history. Not only did "Take Good Care of My Baby" hit #1 in the U.S., but it proved to be a massive hit internationally as well. It peaked at #1 in the United Kingdom, Canada, and even New Zealand.
I myself am one of the many fans of "Take Good Care of My Baby". When that introduction starts, you're locked in cause you know that some sort of story is about to be told. And that story tells of a situation that no one ever wants to find themselves in. The song is about a guy who really screwed up with this girl, and well, she leaves him. But then she finds this other guy, and the narrator doesn't let his pride get in the way. He tells this other guy that the only reason that she's even with him, is cause he screwed up bad. He acknowledges his mistakes and tells this other guy to not make the same mistakes he did, and treat her the way he wished he did. But hey, if he finds out that he doesn't really love her, go ahead and send her back his way!
It really is a sad song, but it doesn't necessarily sound sad. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's more on the upbeat side, which is one thing I really like about it. (In case you haven't noticed, I really like fast and energetic songs) What I also like about the song, is that Vee doesn't try to oversell the song. "Take Good Care of My Baby" is NOT a song that you want to try to overdo, and make yourself sound like you are on the verge of tears or something, which is something teen idols are guilty of doing a lot. While it is a sad story, "Take Good Care of My Baby" is a very simple song, and it certainly isn't dramatic in any way. If Vee would have tried to "sell" the song, I honestly would probably hate the song. But he went into the studio, just sang the damn song, and it turned out to be a very nice, well-performed song. I also like the backup singers, who are the Johnny Mann Singers. So while "Take Good Care of My Baby" may be a simple song, that tells a story that had probably been told in prior released songs, it still remains an oldies favorite. I don't need much convincing to see why.
GRADE: 9/10
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