The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
My first lover was real sweet, he made a woman out of me,
But he left as quick as he came, my Baby James.
Mama said I was naive,
Said one day he'd pick up and leave me.
But 'till then I swore I'd stay for my baby James.
My baby's gone and I can't seem to find him.
He never calls and he's real bad at writing,
Oh where's my baby James?
My first lover was real cruel and he knew what he was doing.
He loved so good I had to stay for my baby James.
Mama said I was naive,
Said one day he'd pick up and leave me.
But 'till that day I best be strong for my Baby James.
He's as cold as an ice box, there's nothing inside him.
Just crack him open, hear the echoes holler.
Where's my baby James?
Oh I begged him not to go,
But nothing would move him.
He said he'd women to meet,
And countries to topple.
Before you cart me away,
Tell him I'm real sorry.
Oh, I love him just the same, my baby James.
Call of f the search party there's nobody coming.
My baby's gone where you never will find him.
Where's my baby?
Where's my baby?
Bye bye baby James!
But he left as quick as he came, my Baby James.
Mama said I was naive,
Said one day he'd pick up and leave me.
But 'till then I swore I'd stay for my baby James.
My baby's gone and I can't seem to find him.
He never calls and he's real bad at writing,
Oh where's my baby James?
My first lover was real cruel and he knew what he was doing.
He loved so good I had to stay for my baby James.
Mama said I was naive,
Said one day he'd pick up and leave me.
But 'till that day I best be strong for my Baby James.
He's as cold as an ice box, there's nothing inside him.
Just crack him open, hear the echoes holler.
Where's my baby James?
Oh I begged him not to go,
But nothing would move him.
He said he'd women to meet,
And countries to topple.
Before you cart me away,
Tell him I'm real sorry.
Oh, I love him just the same, my baby James.
Call of f the search party there's nobody coming.
My baby's gone where you never will find him.
Where's my baby?
Where's my baby?
Bye bye baby James!
Lyrics submitted by zweiundzwei
Baby James Lyrics as written by Casey Susan Dienel
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.