Baby Jump

Album: Electronically Tested (1971)
Charted: 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written by Mungo Jerry lead singer Ray Dorset in the late '60s and was a concert favorite under a different title. When Mungo Jerry agreed that this would be the follow-up to their #1 UK hit "In the Summertime," Dorset re-wrote the lyrics and came up with the new title. It was released 9 months after "In The Summertime," as they wanted the massive international sales of their breakthrough hit to die down first.
  • Mungo Jerry recorded this at Pye, originally in a 16-track studio, but the band weren't happy with the sound and they re-recorded it at the 8-track studio where they had cut "In The Summertime."
  • When this rose to #1 in the UK, Mungo Jerry became only the second act whose first 2 releases both topped the British chart. (Gerry & The Pacemakers had been the first). Their third single "Lady Rose" only reached #5. In America, unlike "In The Summertime," "Baby Jump" flopped.
  • One of Mungo Jerry's regular gigs was at The Northcote Arms in Southall. Ray Dorset recalls in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, "A lot of Hells Angels and Teds used to go there, and all the girls used to wear tiny little jumpers with leather skirts, and that gave me the idea for 'Baby Jump.' It was an aggressive, simple riff - 'Baby jump into my dreams.' Like 'In The Summertime,' the single was too short and Barry Murray (the producer) joined two bits together."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Evolution of "Ophelia"

The Evolution of "Ophelia"Song Writing

How five songs portray Shakespeare's character Ophelia.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.