The Ronettes - Be My Baby (1963)

Composed of sisters Veronica and Estelle Bennett and their cousin, Nedra Talley, these three girls first began singing together at their grandmother’s house when they were just teenagers. Originally accompanied by the Bennett’s other cousins, Diane, Elaine, and the only male, Ira, the six relatives landed a gig at amateur night at the Apollo in the late ‘50s. When it came time to perform, Ira, who was supposed to be the lead singer, froze. Veronica, now going by her nickname Ronnie, rushed to the rescue and belted out the lead of Frankie Lymon’s “Why Do Fools Fall In Love.” After that night, Ira, Diane, and Elaine left the group. Ronnie, with her sister and cousin, continued on as Ronnie and the Relatives, signing to Colpix Records in 1961. When their first two singles failed to chart, the girls found themselves at the front door of a club, the Peppermint Lounge, trying to get in despite being underage. After receiving some tips from the girls’ mothers about how to look and act older, the doorman mistook the trio as dancers scheduled to perform on stage with Joey Dee and the Starliters. The girls were brought on stage, danced, and Ronnie was even handed the microphone to sing a song. Soon, Ronnie and the Relatives were making regular appearances at the Peppermint Lounge and renamed themselves The Ronettes.

Released in August 1963, this song was written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich. It was the first song to be released on Spector’s label, Philles Records, and reached number two in the US and four in the UK. The technique used to record the song was Phil Spector’s “wall of sound,” a technique that involved recording multiple instruments in unison for supreme clarity on AM radio and jukeboxes. Among the many musicians and vocalists heard on the track are Sonny and Cher, Darlene Love, and The Wrecking Crew. The song is said to have had a huge impact on The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson (who wrote "Don't Worry Baby" as a response-song), The Beatles, and nearly everyone else of the '60s pop era. It has been covered countless times by famous artists and is one of the most enduring songs of the 1960s.



The Ronettes - Be My Baby (1963)

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Lyrics:

The night we met
I knew I needed you so
And if I had the chance
I’d never let you go
So, won’t you say you love me?
I’ll make you so proud of me
We’ll make ‘em turn their heads
Every place we go

So won’t you, please
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my little baby?
(My one and only baby)
Say you’ll be my darling
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my baby now
(My one and only baby)

I’ll make you happy, baby
Just wait and see
For every kiss you give me
I’ll give you three
Oh, since the day I saw you
I have been waiting for you
You know I will adore you
‘til eternity

So won’t you please
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my little baby?
(My one and only baby)
Say you’ll be my darling
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my baby now
(My one and only baby)

So, come on, and please
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my little baby
(My one and only baby)
Say you’ll be my darling
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my baby now
(My one and only baby)

(Be my- be my baby)
Be my little baby
(My one and only baby)
(Be my- be my baby)
(My one and only baby)

(Be my- be my baby)
(My one and only baby)
(Be my…)

Cheech & Chong - Basketball Jones (1973)

Composed of Richard “Cheech” Marin and Tommy Chong, this duo is one of the earliest comedy acts to be classified under “stoner” comedy. Throughout their numerous albums and films, they targeted the hippie population with their marijuana-centered comedy. Their routines eventually earned them a Grammy Award. Currently reuniting, the duo has a feature film scheduled for release later this year.

This comedy song comes from the duo’s third album, Los Cochinos (translated “The Pigs”). The song features the following musicians: George Harrison on guitar; Klaus Voormann on bass; Nicky Hopkins on piano; Carole King on electric piano; Billy Preston on organ; Michelle Phillips (of The Mamas and The Papas) as a backup singing "cheerleader"; and many other notable musicians/acts of the era. The track reached number thirty-six in Canada, and would later be covered by Barry White and Chris Rock for the 1996 film Space Jam.



Cheech & Chong - Basketball Jones (1973)

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Lyrics:

Basketball jones, I got a basketball jones
Got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh

Yes, I am the victim of a basketball jones. Ever since I was a little baby, I always be dribblin'. In fact, I was the baddest dribbler in the whole neighborhood. Then, one day, my mama bought me a basketball. And I loved that basketball. I took that basketball with me everywhere I went. That basketball was like a basketball to me.

I even put that basketball underneath my pillow. Maybe that's why I can't sleep at night. I need help, ladies and gentlemens. I need someone to stand beside me. I need- I need someone to set a pick for me at the free-throw line of life. Someone I can pass to; someone to hit the open man on the give-and-go and not end up in the popcorn machine. So cheerleaders, help me out!

(Basketball jones, I got a basketball jones)
(I got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh)

Oh, that sounds so sweet. Sing it out. C'mon Coach Booty, Red Blazer, sing along with me. That be bad, honky, yeah. I want everybody in the whole stadium to stand up and sing with us. Oh yeah, sing it out like you're proud. All right, everybody watchin' coast-to-coast, sing along with us. Bill Russell, sing along with us. Chick Hearn, sing along with us. Chris Schenkel, don't sing nothin'.

(Basketball jones, I got a basketball jones)
(I got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh)

Oh, it feels so good. Gimme the ball. I'll go one-on-one against the world, left-handed. I could stuff it from center court with my toes. I could jump on top of the backboard, take off a quarter, leave fifteen cents change. I could- I could dribble behind my back. I got more moves than ex-lax. I'm bad. I could dribble with my tongue. Here I go down court, try to stop me. You can't stop me 'cause I got a basketball jones. Here I come. That's my hook shot with my eyebrow. Yeah, I could dunk it with my nose. I'm- I'm bad as King Kong- gimme the ball. I'm hot- I'm hot as- I'm hot as- I'm hot as- uh, uh, uh, uh, uh…

(Basketball jones, I got a basketball jones)
(I got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh)
(Basketball jones, I got a basketball jones)
(I got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh)…