Checkin' Up on My Baby
Encyclopedia
"Checkin' Up on My Baby" (or sometimes "Checking on My Baby") is a song recorded by Sonny Boy Williamson II
in 1960 that has become a classic of the blues. The song was not released as a single, but was included on Williamson's The Real Folk Blues
album released after his death in January 1966. The song has been recorded by numerous blues and other artists, making it one of Williamson's most recorded songs.
, also known as John Lee Williamson, recorded an earlier song titled "Check Up on My Baby" in 1944 (Bluebird
34-0722). It is a topical song, with references to World War II political figures (its flip side is titled "Win the War Blues"). Although it has a different melody and lyrics, the refrain includes the line "I've got to check up on my baby, I've got to see how my baby been getting along...", similar to "I'm checkin' up on my baby, find out what she's puttin' down...", which later appears in the Sonny Boy Williamson II song.
In 1958, Otis Rush
recorded a slow blues titled "Checking on My Baby" (Cobra 5027) with different lyrics, with Rush listed as the songwriter.
(piano), Robert Jr. Lockwood and Luther Tucker
(guitars), Fred Below
(drums), and an unidentified bassist. Despite its brief length (less than two minutes), the song has been identified as among "the most accomplished masterpieces of postwar blues".
with Buddy Guy
who recorded it as "Checking on My Baby" for their 1965 It's My Life Baby album; John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
with Mick Taylor
recorded it for Crusade
in 1967; Taj Mahal
from his 1968 debut album Taj Mahal
(he also recorded it live with somewhat different lyrics for The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
); Mick Jagger
recorded it in 1992 with The Red Devils
, which was later released on The Very Best of Mick Jagger
(Jagger also performed it live with Gary Moore); and Gary Moore
in 2007 from Close as You Get
).
Sonny Boy Williamson II
Willie "Sonny Boy" Williamson was an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, from Mississippi. He is acknowledged as one of the most charismatic and influential blues musicians, with considerable prowess on the harmonica and highly creative songwriting skills...
in 1960 that has become a classic of the blues. The song was not released as a single, but was included on Williamson's The Real Folk Blues
The Real Folk Blues
The Real Folk Blues is a series of blues compilation albums released between 1965 and 1967 by Chess Records, and distributed by MCA Records. Each album in the series highlighted the music of one major Chess artist, including John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Sonny Boy Williamson II...
album released after his death in January 1966. The song has been recorded by numerous blues and other artists, making it one of Williamson's most recorded songs.
Earlier songs
Williamson's namesake Sonny Boy Williamson ISonny Boy Williamson I
Sonny Boy Williamson was an American blues harmonica player and singer, and the first to use the name Sonny Boy Williamson.-Biography and career:...
, also known as John Lee Williamson, recorded an earlier song titled "Check Up on My Baby" in 1944 (Bluebird
Bluebird Records
Bluebird Records is a sub-label of RCA Victor Records originally created in 1932 to counter the American Record Company in the "3 records for a dollar" market. Along with ARC's Perfect Records, Melotone Records and Romeo Records, and the independent US Decca label, Bluebird became one of the best...
34-0722). It is a topical song, with references to World War II political figures (its flip side is titled "Win the War Blues"). Although it has a different melody and lyrics, the refrain includes the line "I've got to check up on my baby, I've got to see how my baby been getting along...", similar to "I'm checkin' up on my baby, find out what she's puttin' down...", which later appears in the Sonny Boy Williamson II song.
In 1958, Otis Rush
Otis Rush
Otis Rush is a blues musician, singer and guitarist. His distinctive guitar style features a slow burning sound and long bent notes...
recorded a slow blues titled "Checking on My Baby" (Cobra 5027) with different lyrics, with Rush listed as the songwriter.
Sonny Boy Williamson II song
In 1960, Sonny Boy Williamson II recorded "Checkin' Up on My Baby" as an uptempo Chicago blues shuffle that features his harmonica playing. Backing Williamson (vocal and harmonica) are Otis SpannOtis Spann
Otis Spann was an American blues musician, who many consider the leading postwar Chicago blues pianist.-Career:Born in Jackson, Mississippi, United States, Spann became known for his distinct piano style....
(piano), Robert Jr. Lockwood and Luther Tucker
Luther Tucker
For the publisher see The Genesee FarmerLuther Tucker was an American blues guitarist.While soft spoken and shy, Tucker made his presence known through his unique and clearly recognizable guitar style. Tucker helped to define the music known as Chicago Blues, but played everything from blues to...
(guitars), Fred Below
Fred Below
Fred Below was a leading blues drummer, best known for his innovative work with Little Walter and Chess Records in the 1950s. Nobody laid more of the Chicago blues rhythmic foundations, particularly its archetypal backbeat, than Fred Below.-Career:He was born in Chicago, and started playing drums...
(drums), and an unidentified bassist. Despite its brief length (less than two minutes), the song has been identified as among "the most accomplished masterpieces of postwar blues".
Other versions
"Checkin' Up on My Baby" has been interpreted and recorded by a variety of artists, including: Junior WellsJunior Wells
Junior Wells , born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr., was an American Chicago blues vocalist, harmonica player, and recording artist...
with Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy
George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
who recorded it as "Checking on My Baby" for their 1965 It's My Life Baby album; John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers are a pioneering English blues band, led by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist John Mayall, OBE. Mayall used the band name between 1963 and 1967, but then dropped it for some fifteen years. However, in 1982 a 'Return of the Bluesbreakers' was announced and...
with Mick Taylor
Mick Taylor
Michael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
recorded it for Crusade
Crusade (album)
Crusade is a studio album by the British Blues-rock band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, released on September 1, 1967 for London Records. It was the follow-up to A Hard Road, also released in 1967...
in 1967; Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal (musician)
Henry Saint Clair Fredericks , who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award winning blues musician. He incorporates elements of world music into his music...
from his 1968 debut album Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal (album)
Taj Mahal is the debut American blues album by Taj Mahal.-Track listing:# "Leaving Trunk" – 4:51# "Statesboro Blues" – 2:59# "Checkin' Up on My Baby" – 4:55...
(he also recorded it live with somewhat different lyrics for The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus is a film released in 1996 of an 11 December 1968 event put together by The Rolling Stones. The event comprised two concerts on a circus stage and included such acts as The Who, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithfull, and Jethro Tull...
); Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
recorded it in 1992 with The Red Devils
The Red Devils (blues band)
The Red Devils were a Los Angeles-based blues-rock band who were active from 1988 to 1994. With their no-frills approach and singer Lester Butler's convincing Chicago-style blues harp, they were a popular fixture on the Los Angeles club scene and toured the U.S. and Europe...
, which was later released on The Very Best of Mick Jagger
The Very Best of Mick Jagger
The Very Best of Mick Jagger is a compilation album that was released worldwide on 1 October 2007 and the following day in the United States on WEA/Rhino Records...
(Jagger also performed it live with Gary Moore); and Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
in 2007 from Close as You Get
Close As You Get
Close As You Get is a 2007 album by Northern Irish blues guitarist and singer Gary Moore. The album reunited Moore with his former Thin Lizzy colleague, drummer Brian Downey who played on all the tracks.-Track listing:...
).