Ain't That Lovin' You Baby was written and first recorded by Mississippi-born Mathis James (Jimmy) Reed in December, 1955. The song was released early the following year by Vee-Jay Records and was named as a weekly 'best buy' in the Billboard Music Popularity Charts, listed in their February 4th issue. The song almost-immediately earned top spots in the Billboard charts for store sales, most played by DJs and most played in juke boxes.
Ain't That Loving You Baby was easily accessible to listeners and became a blues standard. The song often caught the attention of top-caliber recording artists who opted to release their own renditions, including; John Mayall, John Hammond, Steve Miller, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart and the Rolling Stones, among many others.
Over his career, Jimmy Reed landed eleven songs onto the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart.
He may have been a prolific hit-maker, but he struggled with the harsh consequences of unbeatable alcoholism, which ultimately claimed his talents as well as his personality. His health decline was further complicated by the onset of epilepsy. Reed's musical career withered and he was never able to regain popularity despite new musical efforts.
Jimmy Reed died in 1976 at the age of 50.
Reed's songwriting, vocal style, guitar and harmonica skills influenced many well known musicians. His early recordings were well respected among his peers, fans and critics alike. It was that early popularity of Jimmy's compositions that earned him posthumous accolades including inductions into both the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I recorded this video of my original 1956 78RPM record being played on my turntable to share the experience of playing 78s with those who also enjoy the hobby and history of vinyl records, especially that of Blues music. I do not claim or own, nor imply ownership, of the song or music recording in any way.
Lyrics
(You) know I love you, Babe,
(You) know I love you, Babe,
(You) know I love you, Babe,
But you don't even know my name.
Let me tell you baby,
I'll tell you what i'm gonna do.
I would rob, steal, kill somebody,
Just to get back home to you.
Ain't that lovin' you, Baby,
Ain't that lovin' you, Baby,
Ain't that lovin' you, Baby,
But you don't even know my name.
Let me tell you, Baby,
Don't sound like it's true.
They could dump me in the ocean,
I would swim to the bank,
And crawl home to you.
Ain't that lovin' you, Baby,
Ain't that lovin' you, Baby,
Ain't that lovin' you, Baby,
But you don't even know my name.
They may kill me, Baby,
Burry me just like they do.
My body might lie but my spirit's gonna rise,
And come home to you.
Ain't that lovin' you, Baby,
Ain't that lovin' you, Baby,
Ain't that lovin' you, Baby,
But you don't even know my name.
