Introduction:
“Like a Baby” is a soulful blues number performed by Elvis Presley, a track that showcases his versatile vocal abilities and deep emotional range. The song was released in 1960 as part of his critically acclaimed album, Elvis Is Back!, which marked Presley’s return to the music scene following his two-year stint in the U.S. Army. This album is considered one of his most significant works, signaling a shift from his rockabilly beginnings to a more mature sound that incorporated elements of blues, rhythm and blues (R&B), and pop.
The song “Like a Baby” was originally written by Jesse Stone, an influential songwriter and producer who was also behind several other popular R&B hits of the era. Stone’s composition is rooted in the classic 12-bar blues structure, allowing Elvis to explore a grittier, more emotionally charged performance style. The genre of “Like a Baby” can be classified as a mix of blues and rhythm and blues, characterized by its slow tempo, powerful vocal delivery, and a prominent, expressive guitar riff.
“Elvis Is Back!” was released by RCA Victor in April 1960 and was a commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard Top LPs chart. The album is considered by many music critics to be one of Elvis’s finest works, praised for its diverse range of musical styles, from rock and roll to blues and pop. While “Like a Baby” was not released as a single, it nonetheless contributed to the album’s critical acclaim and showcased Elvis’s ability to adapt to different genres.
The track demonstrates Elvis’s musical evolution in the early 1960s, as he embraced a broader range of styles, moving beyond the rock and roll sound that had initially catapulted him to fame in the 1950s. His rendition of “Like a Baby” is lauded for its raw emotion and vocal intensity, serving as a reminder of his roots in blues music and his ability to interpret the genre with authenticity and passion. This song, along with the rest of the album, cemented Presley’s place in music history, marking the beginning of a new phase in his career that would see him continue to innovate and influence popular music for years to come.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Like A Baby”
Like a bright shiny toy to a baby
No matter what you would do
I depended on you like a babyOne thing I know I love you
Yes I loved you like a baby
It was a fool heart you took
And I fell ’cause you look like a babyTo lover’s ways I was blind
‘Cause I just had a mind like a baby
You’re just a flirt
And I had to be hurt just like a babyI need you so, I need you so
The day I found how you lied
Then I broke down and cried like a baby
Well it was then I could see
You were playing with me like a baby
But you can bet that some day
I’ll forget just like a baby