Mary Wells - Bye Bye Baby (1960) [Plus Lyrics]

"Bye Bye Baby" is the first single by R&B singer Mary Wells, released in December 1960 on the Motown label. The song was one of Motown's earliest hit singles and showcased a much rougher vocal than the singer had during her later years.

In 1960, Wells, then 17 years of age, was a nightclub singer who was struggling to make ends meet in Detroit. She aspired to be a songwriter as well, so she wrote a song for fellow Detroiter and R&B singer Jackie Wilson. She saw Berry Gordy while attempting to deliver "Bye Bye, Baby" to Wilson, and asked Gordy to give Wilson her song. But Gordy, having severed ties with Wilson's manager to form Motown, asked Wells to sing it herself for Motown. Mary recorded "Bye Bye Baby" in her version of Jackie Wilson's style. Reports claim that the teen had to record the song 26 times or more, before Gordy had a version he approved for release.

Released in December 1960, the song became an R&B hit reaching number eight on the Billboard R&B singles chart and crossed over to pop stations where it peaked at number forty-five. It was significant as the first single released under one of the Motown subsidiaries nationally after the label's first singles were released through distributing labels such as United Artists.

The song was covered in 1965 by soul singer Betty Everett, in 1966 by Tony Jackson and the Vibrations and in 1979 by rock musician Bonnie Raitt. Wells remade it for her 1968 album, Servin' Up Some Soul. The 1968 re-recording was produced by Bobby Womack. Cher performed the song on her "Love Hurts Tour" in 1992.

The song features on the soundtrack for the 1991 film The Commitments, as sung by Maria Doyle Kennedy.

[chewie]

Anyone feel like dancing the “whip “ to this ? If only I still dance 😊

[violetvalentine]

Man I wish we had heard more songs Mary wrote herself. Mary wasn't just gifted as a singer, but as a songwriter too.

[tonyrussi]

the first Rock & Roll record I bought when 10 years old in 1961.Mary Wells is the GREATEST female Rock & Soul singer. She set the pace for all that followed. SHE should be in the RRHOF as she was a REAL pioneer.

[leonardhusser]

Her voice was so raw in this song it just seemed like a real woman with a broken heart singing not a star which makes it so pure and honest

[dedebrown]

Mary was so grand!!! She left too soon!!❤

[rockthetophat]

Love this song too, it has been playing in my head for the last couple of months, and I was trying to figure out who the singer is; finally I said to myself it has to be Mary Wells. I use to have the cd, now I will go buy another one. I am so glad I was raised in the 60's when Motown ruled the airwaves!

[murcson]

Was Motown's first female recording artist. Her and her mother showed up at the studio with this song, Mary had written it, and wanted someone to sing it and Berry Gordy suggested she sing it herself and the rest is history.

[geraldrembert]

I was 11 years old when this song was released. I learned how to dance to this song. My sister showed me.

[cassandramuhammad]

We used to dance off this song!!! The "Chinese Slop" was the name of the dance!! We'd be cutting the rug.

[brianperaza]

This song is really marvelous, it shows what humans can do (in the broadest sense of the term). It makes me think how a human can sing like that, how a human can make a technology to capture that moment so well and how we have advanced in those technologies and techniques. It makes me think how a human can do so bad to another human for him/her to write a song and sing it like this.

[sheilabrewster]

Mary Wells is a good singer. All her songs were nice! I love Bye Bye Baby, and You Beat me to the Punch.I love that song and it's great to dance to. There's nothing better than the music🎵 back then. Those were the days ❤️

[SusanSusanSusan]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this song. This is real music.

[richln]

If this is 1960, it sounds quite a few years ahead of its time. Great song.

[spenceandkoto]

A joint across the street from my High school, Phil's, had this song on the jukebox.
It was such an ass kicker that the grooves were white from endless play.
The only way to listen to Bye Bye Baby is LOUD! Ah 1960!

[robertkelly]

One of the greatest singers of all time. Love you and miss you so much

[LA-ARCH]

Mary Wells wrote her own music most of the this song from 1960. I have two copies of this original 45 from Motown. Early Motown label design, with Motown address and phone number printed on the label.

[iamchavez]

best song she ever sang... Rest in Paradise Beautiful

[tonyrussi]

On the "Servin Up Some Soul" LP remake was produced by Mary & husband Cecil Womack. Bobby produced a unreleased remake in 1974.

[RhiannaBarr]

RIP Mary (you're singing with the angels in heaven now!)

[linniewilson]

That was so nice, a mother and daughter who got along! I used to sing this song myself!