"My Baby Just Cares for Me" is a jazz standard written by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by Gus Kahn. Written for the film version of the musical comedy Whoopee! (1930), the song became a signature tune for Eddie Cantor who sang it in the movie.[1][2] A stylized version of the song by Nina Simone,[2] recorded in 1958, was a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom after it was used in a 1987 perfume commercial and resulted in a renaissance for Simone.
Recordings
Ted Weems, 1930
Harry James, 1946
Nat King Cole, 1949
Mel Tormé
Dean Martin, 1952
Tony Bennett, 1955
Jane Powell, 1957
Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers, 1957
Gene Kelly, 1957
Nina Simone, 1958 #82 (UK), 1988 #5 (UK)
Tommy Dorsey, 1958
Pat Boone, 1958
Marlene Dietrich, 1961
Al Hirt and Ann-Margret, 1963
Vic Damone, 1963
Julie London, 1964
Frank Sinatra, 1966
George Stewart (re-titled "My Lady Just Cares For Me"), 1985
Edward Norton, 1996
George Michael, 1999
Natalie Cole, 2002
Cyndi Lauper, 2003
Michael Bublé, 2016
Simone recorded the song in 1958 for her debut album, Little Girl Blue. The track remained relatively obscure until 1987, when it was used in a UK television commercial for Chanel No. 5 perfume. To follow up this exposure, the track was released as a single by Charly Records,[4] entering the UK Singles Chart on October 31, 1987 and becoming, after a peak at number 5,[5] one of Simone's biggest hits almost 19 years after her previous chart entry. This single also made the top 10 in several European single charts and peaked at number one in the Dutch Top 40.[6]
Nina Simone recording
The Simone version of the song was featured on the soundtrack for the 1994 film Shallow Grave.[7]
Music video
In 1987 a claymation music video was produced by Aardman Animations[8] and directed by Peter Lord.
The video prominently features live action footage showing details of a piano, brushes on a snare drum, and a double bass as they play the song. The two focal characters are represented by a singing cat in a club, and the cat who is in love with her.
lyrics
I'm so happy since that day
I fell in love in a great big way
And the big surprise is a woman loves me too
Guess it's hard for you to see
Just what anyone can see in me
But it simply goes to reveal what love can do
My lady don't care for shows
My lady don't care for clothes
My lady just cares for me
My lady don't care for cars and races
My lady don't care for high-tone places
Liz Taylor is not her style
And even Lana Turner's smile
Is something she can't see
My girl doesn't care who knows it
My lady just cares for me
She doesn't even care to own a nine or ten carat stone
My pretty lady just cares for me
She doesn't care for furs and laces
Or go for big rolls royces
There is sometimes a doubt about her choices
She doesn't care for diamond rings or other expensive things
She's sensible as can be
I must say that I'm glad she has made a fine selection
My pretty woman cares for me
Baby, my lady don't care for shows
And she doesn't even care for clothes
She cares for me
My lady don't care for cars and races
My lady don't care for
She don't care for high-tone places
Liz Taylor is not her style
And even Liberace's smile is something she can't see
Is something she can't see
I wonder what's wrong with my woman
My lady just cares for
My woman just cares for
My lady just cares for me
credits
from My Lady Just Cares For Me,
track released May 1, 1985
Written by Gustav Kahn, Walter Donaldson & Johnny Mercer
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