American Pop
The song “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher is one of the beloved songs of the sixties. In 1965, Sonny Bono was a songwriter and record producer for Phil Spector when he decided to make a record with his wife Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian). Late one night he sat down to compose a song that would define love in the hippie counter-culture. He started with a youth vs. adult theme: “They (adults) say we’re young and we don’t know…” That’s how “I Got You Babe” was born.
When Sonny booked the studio, he also booked some top Spector musicians, including world-class drummer Hal Blaine. Following Spector’s flair for the unusual, Bono brought in a pair of oboists which are featured prominently in the song. Set in an innocent 3/4 time, with the two singers alternating lines, “I Got You Babe” became the duo’s signature song and a major hit.
In the summer of 1965, “I Got You Babe” went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained at #1 for three weeks. It sold more than one million copies and was certified Gold by the RIAA. In 1993 the song got a second life In popular culture, as the eternal wake-up song for Phil Connors (Bill Murray) in the film Groundhog Day. (“Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s cooooold out there today.”) The song “I Got You Babe” is also on Sonny and Cher’s 1965 album Look at Us.
Sonny Bono holds the unusual distinction of being the only person who performed on a #1 record and also served in Congress. In 1994 he was elected to the 44th District in California, and served until his death in 1998.
1 Comment
[…] If you are interested in reading about and listening to another song by Sonny and Cher, please click here for “I Got You Babe.” […]