Born to Be My Baby

Album: New Jersey (1988)
Charted: 22 3
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song has similar theme to "Livin' On A Prayer," as its about a young working class couple struggling to make ends meet. It appears to be part of God's divine plan that they are together as "You were born to be my baby and I was made to be your man. Only God would know the reasons, but I bet He must have had a plan."

    If the formula seems familiar, it's because guitarist Richie Sambora wrote the song with Desmond Child, who also co-wrote "Livin' On A Prayer." Child was first summoned to write with the band by Bon Jovi's A&R man Derek Shulman. It was a good move; Child contributed to many of their hits, including "You Give Love A Bad Name," "Bad Medicine" and "This Ain't A Love Song."
  • "Born to Be My Baby" was originally recorded acoustically, but the producer Bruce Fairbairn persuaded the band to re-recorded it with electronic instruments in a harder rock style. Jon Bon Jovi has since said that he believed the song would have made #1 on the charts if it had been released in its original form.
  • In the video the lady Jon Bon Jovi hugs about halfway through when she comes to the studio is Dorothea, whom he married in 1989.
  • This was the second single from New Jersey, Bon Jovi's fourth album. They were red hot, coming off their 1986 mega-seller Slippery When Wet. They kept the momentum going with the first single, "Bad Medicine," a #1 hit. "Born To Be My Baby" went to #3, but the next single, "I'll Be There For You," returned them to the top spot.

Comments: 8

  • Andrew from OregonJon Bon Jovi and my mom share the same birthday. One year, my dad sent this video to her on her birthday via Facebook. It was one of the coolest things I've seen him do.
  • Gino from HoustonActually I co-wrote this song, and so much more to the story behind this song and the other hits I co-wrote for Bon Jovi. I am the original Desmond Child. I guess you could imagine childhood fantasies, childhood sweethearts and growing out of adolescence. And yes more of Born to be My Baby was written before Livin' on a Prayer.
  • Ruth from Nowra, AustraliaThis is the song that made me a big fan of bon jovi love it
  • Joe from Middleville, MiPretty good song, but not a top 10 'jovi tune by any means.
  • Sali from Xxx, EnglandThis is my all time favourite song!! I love it!!
  • Cristian from Santiago, ChileThe video version is a more extended version, with some breaks and some bass & drumm solo.
    AMAZING !!!
  • Michael from Morris County, NjOne of Bon Jovi's best.
  • Martin from Eastbourne, EnglandBetter than Livin' On a Prayer in my opinion.
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