Introduction:
Like a Baby, a soulful ballad dipped in the energy of rock and roll, wasn’t Elvis Presley’s first rodeo, but it marked a significant turning point in his career. Released in 1960 on the album Elvis Is Back!, the song came after a two-year hiatus while Presley served in the U.S. Army. This comeback album served multiple purposes: reassure fans of his enduring talent, showcase his artistic growth, and reestablish himself in the music scene.
Like a Baby wasn’t an original Presley composition. The song was written by Jesse Stone and had already seen renditions by Vikki Nelson and Priscilla Bowman before Presley. However, Presley’s interpretation brought the song a new level of recognition. Backed by the Jordanaires’ smooth harmonies and a band tight from the recording session, Presley delivered a nuanced vocal performance. He showcased both his signature sensuality and a newfound depth of emotion, conveying the vulnerability and yearning embedded in the lyrics.
Elvis Is Back! was a critical and commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. Like a Baby, though not a chart-topping single itself (it peaked at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100), became a fan favorite. It demonstrated Presley’s ability to evolve beyond his early rock and roll sound, incorporating elements of blues and gospel into his music. This artistic growth would continue throughout his career.
Like a Baby also held significance for Presley’s personal life. The song’s themes of emotional vulnerability resonated with his experience returning from military service and reintegrating himself into the music industry. In a way, the song became a metaphor for Presley’s own comeback – a return to the spotlight, but not necessarily as the same brash young rocker he once was.
Video:
Lyrics:
You gave me love to enjoyLike a bright shiny toy, to a babyNo matter what you would doI depended on you, like a babyOne thing I know, I love youYes, I loved you like a babyIt was a fool what you tookAnd I fell ’cause you look like a babyTo lovers’ ways I was blind‘Cause I just had a mind like a babyYou’re just a flirtAnd I had to be her guide like a babyOh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ohWhoa oh, oh, oh, oh, ohWhoa oh, oh, oh, oh, ohI need you so, I need you soThe day I found I am aliveThen, I broke down and cried like a babyWell, it was then I could seeYou were playing with me, like a babyWell, you can bet that some dayI’ll forget just like a baby