Always a B-Side, Never a Bride: Oh Yeah, Maybe Baby

Warning: our latest episode may give some listeners a funny feeling, a fever, and even the chills. But don’t worry – it’s not Covid, it’s The Crystals! More specifically, “Oh Yeah, Maybe Baby,” (1:49) the song you’ll hear if you capsize their 1961 single, “There’s No Other Like My Baby” (discussed in Episode 33).  A slow song that happens fast! Patsy Wright’s charming, quavering vocals capture the chords of young love perfectly. Spectorian elements also abound: pulsating percussion … palpable piano … tinging triangle … and then the strings come in!! We’re susceptible to its many charms. We’re also all about value – so we add a live Laura Nyro version of the song from 1993 (41:29). She strips all the Spector away from the song and presents a powerful “grown-up” interpretation of the tune. It’s beautiful & profound and it was a pleasure to discuss it.