“Cherry Oh Baby” is a popular reggae-influenced song by the legendary rock band The Rolling Stones. Originally written and recorded by Jamaican musician Eric Donaldson in 1971, The Rolling Stones covered the song for their 1976 album “Black and Blue.” The band’s version infused the reggae rhythms of the original with their signature rock sound, creating a unique blend of genres.
The song’s lyrics revolve around a romantic relationship, expressing the singer’s affection for a woman he calls “Cherry Oh Baby.” The catchy chorus and laid-back groove contribute to the song’s infectious charm, making it a favorite among fans of both The Rolling Stones and reggae music.
“Cherry Oh Baby” showcases the band’s ability to experiment with different musical styles while maintaining their distinctive sound. The Rolling Stones’ rendition of the song captures the essence of the 1970s, a period marked by musical diversity and cultural fusion. Over the years, the track has become a classic, celebrated for its catchy melody, heartfelt lyrics, and the band’s exceptional musical performance.
Did you know?
This is the cover of Eric Donaldson’s 1971 reggae track. The Rolling Stones had previously recorded Goats Head Soup in Jamaica three years prior, but their venture into reggae was most prominent with this rendition.
This marked the debut of Ron Wood on a Stones album. During the production of Black And Blue, the band was holding auditions for lead guitarists. Although Wood contributed only to this track and “Hey Negrita,” he was officially inducted into the band before the album’s release and was even featured on the cover.
The English reggae group UB40 also did a cover of this song, which appears on their 1983 album Labour Of Love.
According to Charlie Watts (as stated in According to the Rolling Stones), the reggae influence on the songs from Black And Blue primarily stemmed from Keith Richards. While Mick Jagger also had a keen interest in reggae, it was Keith who brought the genre’s inspiration to the band. Watts recalls their shared passion for reggae during their time in France, with tracks like ‘Cherry Oh Baby’ and The Harder They Come being among their favorites. Keith Richards was particularly drawn to the latter album and listened to it extensively.
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Lyrics
Oh, cherry, oh cherry, oh baby
Don’t you know I’m in need of thee
You don’t believe it’s true
Why don’t you love me, tooIt’s so long I been waiting
For you to come right in
Now that we are together
Is making my joy run overWhoa, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo
Whoa, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahOh cherry, oh cherry, oh baby
Don’t you know I’m in love with you
You don’t believe I know
So why don’t you try meI’m never gonna let you down
Never make you wear no frown
You say you love me madly
Then why do you treat me badlyWhoa, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo
Whoa, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahOh cherry, oh cherry, oh baby
Don’t you know I in love with you
You don’t believe I know
So why don’t you try me (try me)I’m never gonna let you down no
Never make you wear no frown
You say you love me madly
Then why do you treat me badlyWhoa, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo
Whoa, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo, eeyo
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah