Baby, Come To Me by Patti Austin and James Ingram

Album: Every Home Should Have One (1981)

Charted: 11 1

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Songfacts®:

This was initially released in 1981 on Patti Austin's album Every Home Should Have One. In May of 1982, it peaked at #73 on the US charts. Months later, the song found new life when it was used in the ABC soap opera General Hospital for romantic scenes involving Luke Spencer (played by Anthony Geary) after his wife Laura temporarily left the show. ABC got lots of calls and letters about the song, and Warner Brothers Records decided to re-release the song as a single due to popular demand. It hit #1 in the US in February 1983.

Later that year, "Think Of Laura" by Christopher Cross was used in scenes where Luke was missing Laura. Thanks to its use on the show, the song went to #9 US in 1984.
Quincy Jones produced this track. Both Austin and Ingram had worked with Jones in the past and signed to his record label, Qwest. Austin had another connection with Jones as well: He's her godfather.
Rod Temperton wrote this song. A member of the band Heatwave, he wrote their 1977 hit "Boogie Nights," which perked up the ears of Quincy Jones, who brought him in to write songs for Michael Jackson. Temperton delivered "Rock With You" and "Off The Wall," which earned him more work with Jones, including songs by The Brothers Johnson and Rufus with Chaka Khan. Temperton also worked on Jackson's next album, delivering the song "Thriller."
In this love song, the couple agrees that they are perfect for each other, and that life is so much better now that they're together. Most lovey duets have some kind of tension to carry the storylines, but this one has no caveats.
Ingram has done a lot of duets, including "Just Once" with Quincy Jones, "Yah Mo B There" with Michael McDonald, and "Somewhere Out There" with Linda Ronstadt.
After two weeks at #1 in the US, this was replaced by Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," which was also produced by Jones.

Comments: 2

Rahman from Newark, NjThe song " Baby come to me" has a lot of power. I sing it at all of my shows because I know that this is a song about love in its purest form. I know that the impact of this song will change the world for the better.

-Rocky
Annabelle from Eugene, OrWhen I listen to this song, I always think of someone that is there to comfort you when things go wrong. It's kind of a sad song, but a tender and comforting tune. It's like someone says to me, "I'll be your comforter. Come, let me hold you in my arms. Lay your pretty head on my shoulder. Let me hold you warm against my heart.".

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