Song written by Sonny Bono. Performed live by Kim Wilde together with Ali Campbell from UB40 at ‘Stars of Europe’ on 24 March 2007; a concert organised for the 50th birthday of the European Union. They also performed the song together during a live concert by Ali Campbell at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 3 April 2008.
Sonny Bono, a songwriter and record producer for Phil Spector, wrote the song for himself and his wife, Cher. Bono was inspired to write the song to capitalize on the popularity of the term ‘babe’ at the time of writing.
‘I Got You Babe’ became Sonny & Cher’s biggest hit and one of the defining song of the early hippie movement. It became a number one hit in the USA and the UK.
The song has been frequently covered, most notably by UB40 with The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde in 1985, a UK number 1 and a USA top 20 hit.
Lyrics
As performed by Kim Wilde with Ali Campbell in 2007 and 2008.
Kim: they say were young and we dont know we wont find out until we grow
Ali: well I dont know if all thats true cause you got me, and baby I got you.
Babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe
Kim: they say our love wont pay the rent before its earned, our moneys all been spent
Ali: I guess thats so, we dont have a pot but at least Im sure of all the things we got
Ali: babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe
Ali: I got flowers in the spring I got you to wear my ring
Kim: and when Im sad, youre a clown and if I get scared, youre always around
Kim: so let them say your hairs too long cause I dont care, with you I cant go wrong
Ali: then put your little hand in mine there aint no hill or mountain we cant climb
Ali: babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe
Ali: I got you to hold my hand
Kim: I got you to understand
Ali: I got you to walk with me
Kim: I got you to talk with me
Ali: I got you to kiss goodnight
Kim: I got you to hold me tight
Ali: I got you, I wont let go
Kim: I got you to love me so
Both: I got you babe I got you babe I got you babe I got you babe I got you babe