What's the Matter with You Baby
"What's the Matter with You Baby" is a 1964 single written by William "Mickey" Stevenson, Clarence Paul, and Barney Ales and produced by Stevenson. It was recorded and released by Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells on the Motown label.[1][2] Released as a double A-side single alongside "Once Upon a Time", the song gave Gaye and Wells another charted smash.
| "What's the Matter with You Baby" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells | |
| from the album Together | |
| A-side | "Once Upon a Time" |
| Released | 1964 |
| Recorded | Hitsville USA, Detroit, Michigan; 1963 |
| Genre | Rhythm and blues |
| Length | 2:24 |
| Label | Motown |
| Songwriter(s) | William "Mickey" Stevenson Clarence Paul Barney Ales |
| Producer(s) | Mickey Stevenson |
Background
The song has Gaye and Wells going back and forth with Gaye apologizing to Wells for leaving her behind for someone else begging Wells to give him one more chance. At first, Wells says taking Gaye back would "hurt (her) pride" and that she cannot let him take her out for the night but after Gaye pleads for Wells to come back to him, Wells relents but still passes on him taking her out for the night. The song begins and ends with the two harmonizing together.
Chart performance
"What's the Matter with You Baby" peaked at number nineteen on the U.S. Pop Singles chart when released.[3][2] On Cash Box "Top 50 in R&B Locations", the song went to number two.[4]
| Chart (1964) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 19 |
Personnel
- All vocals by Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells
- Produced by William "Mickey" Stevenson
- Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
References
- What's the Matter with You Baby at Discogs
- The Complete Motown Singles Vol 4: 1964 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records.
- Allmusic review
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 225.
