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Released in 2014

Baby Face

Written by Harry Akst • Benny Davis

Last updated on June 16, 2024

Album This song officially appears on the Venus And Mars - Archive Collection Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 2014

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related interview

From Wikipedia:

“Baby Face” is a popular Tin Pan Alley jazz song. The music was written by Harry Akst, with lyrics by Benny Davis, and the song was published in 1926.

The first recording of it was by Jan Garber and his Orchestra, featuring lyricist Benny Davis singing the chorus only. The record was a number one hit in 1926.

The first full version of the song sung on record was released later that same year by Whispering Jack Smith, backed on piano by Arthur Johnston. Smith sang in a half-talking style and started the first verse with “baby cheeks” instead of the familiar “rosy cheeks.” He started the second verse with “When you were just a baby, and that’s not so long ago.”

Paul McCartney recorded a cover of “Baby Face” as a solo piano and vocal performance during the filming of the 1974 documentary “One Hand Clapping.” In February 1975, while Wings was in New Orleans to record their new album, “Venus And Mars,” Paul came up with the idea of recording a backing track for “Baby Face” using a local brass band named the Young Tuxedo Jazz Band.

The “One Hand Clapping” version of “Baby Face” was included in the DVD of the 2010 “Band On The Run – Archive Collection“, on the 2014 “Venus And Mars – Archive Collection,” as well as on the “One Hand Clapping” album released in 2024.

Starting in 2002, Paul McCartney played rare brief live renditions of “Baby Face,” always as a humorous introduction to “Hey Jude.” One of these renditions was included in the “Amoeba Gig” live album released in 2019.

We did this crazy thing with the Tuxedo Jazz Band in New Orleans. It’s a backing track of me playing ‘Baby Face’ on the piano, for a TV video tape. It should be ready in a couple of months. But when we were in New Orleans I took the track and asked these fellows to overdub, and like these guys don’t know what earphones are, they’re a trad band right? A genuine, New Orleans brass band.

They couldn’t get the tempo for a while, but then they started to get it. It’s a terrible sound if you’re looking at it critically, but it’s got a lovely, joyousness about it. It’s great (Paul broke into a fair imitation of a tailgate trombone), it’s like they’re revving up all the time.

They’re brilliant. The drummer plays bass drum with his… melon…and he has a coat hanger in his left hand, and the bottom half of a hi-hat, which he hits with his coat hanger. So it’s boom, chick-a-boom, and his mate’s got the snare drum. They have this ethnic talent-it’s like a Morris dancing act. I’m not really a jazzer you know, I like it, but I’ve never been into it.

Paul McCartney – Interview with Melody Maker, May 31, 1975

Variations

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Baby Face”

Videos

Album One Hand Clapping (2 LP and 7”)

Album Amoeba Gig

Live performances

“Baby Face” has been played in 18 concerts and 2 soundchecks.

Latest concerts where “Baby Face” has been played

See all concerts where “Baby Face” has been played

Paul McCartney writing

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