Somebody's Baby

by

Jackson Browne

Album: Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack      Released: 1982

US Chart: 7     

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This song is about a guy who is infatuated with a girl, and convinces himself that she must have a boyfriend. As he tries to work up the courage to talk to her, he keeps losing confidence by reminding himself that she's too fine not to be taken.

Browne wrote this for the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High, where it was used to express the feelings of a frustrated teenager. The movie was a huge hit and helped drive the chart status of the song. This was the only hit from the soundtrack, although "Moving In Stereo" by The Cars was used in a famous scene and also became associated with the film.

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Comments:

There's another way the lyrics express psychological movement: in the use of the predicate "shine." Initially it's attributed to the object of desire; the narrator assumes she'll be "shining" (as a lover) tonight -- for someone else, since he's thinking of her as the one with something to offer. As he begins to realize she's alone, he shifts to singing, "Gonna shine tonight, make her mine tonight." In other words, now he's thinking of himself as the one with something to offer, who will "shine" as a seducer and lover. After seeing the movie again, I'm mystified by Barry's reference to gratuitous nudity. Jennifer Jason Leigh's only nude scenes are sex scenes, integral to the story. There's nothing gratuitous about them. The song accompanies her in other scenes as well.
- Eric, Philadelphia, PA

My interpretation of the lyrics is more positive. I think there's a clear movement from his acceptance of the conventional wisdom of "the guys on the corner" that she must be taken, to recognizing she may not be, precisely because of that common assumption which is actually a cover for the fear of rejection. In fact the beginning of the second verse sounds like she's complaining to her friend that she wants a lover but doesn't have one. The fact that, by developing the strength to overcome his initial pessimism, he is moving toward doing what is needed to fulfill them both, gives this song a very moral feeling for me.
- Eric, Philadelphia, PA, PA

This song is on the "Fast Times" soundtrack every time Jennifer Janet Leigh takes off her clothes. Somehow, I don't see an easy fit between gratuitous movie nudity and Jackson Browne music.
- Barry, New York, NC

I love this song.
- Liz, Smallville, KS

What a great song!!I love the lyrics to this song and it was perfectly used in the movie "Fast Times At Ridgemont High." I think every guy can relate to this song. I definitely associate this song with the 1980s and adolescence.
- Brian, Richmond , VA

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