"Baby-Baby-Baby" is a song by American girl group TLC. It was the second single released from their debut studio album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992), and their second consecutive top-10 hit. It was the most successful single from the album, reaching number two on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, giving them their first number-one on the latter.

Background

"Baby-Baby-Baby" was written and produced by Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons. The song features lead vocals from Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, with Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas adlibbing and singing the middle-8 sections. It is the first song not to contain a rap by Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who instead recorded a rap for the song's remix version.

Critical reception

Allmusic gave "Baby-Baby-Baby" a 5-star rating.

Commercial performance

"Baby-Baby-Baby" held the runner-up spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks, from August 15 to September 19, 1992. It also reached number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. "Baby-Baby-Baby" finished at number five on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 Singles of 1992, and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1992.

Music video

"Baby-Baby-Baby" had a video depicting TLC at Bowie State University campus and in their dorms, where they have a slumber party. One of the posters reads 'Protection is Priority'.

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Baby-Baby-Baby"
Chart (1992–1993)Peak position
Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Baby-Baby-Baby" Chart (1992–1993) Peak position Australia (ARIA) 95 Canada Top Singles (RPM) 13 Europe (European Dance Radio) 5 UK Singles (OCC) 55 UK Dance (Music Week) 44 US Billboard Hot 100 2 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard) 19 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 1 US Pop Airplay (Billboard) 9 US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard) 2 US Cash Box Top 100 2Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Baby-Baby-Baby" Chart (1992) Position US Billboard Hot 100 5 US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 7 US Cash Box Top 100 3 Decade-end charts Decade-end chart performance for "Baby-Baby-Baby" Chart (1990–1999) Position US Billboard Hot 100 80
Australia (ARIA)95
Canada Top Singles (RPM)13
Europe (European Dance Radio)5
UK Singles (OCC)55
UK Dance (Music Week)44
US Billboard Hot 1002
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)19
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)1
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)9
US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard)2
US Cash Box Top 1002
Chart (1992)Position
US Billboard Hot 1005
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)7
US Cash Box Top 1003
Chart (1990–1999)Position
US Billboard Hot 10080

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Baby-Baby-Baby"
RegionCertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)Platinum1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Baby-Baby-Baby"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesJune 5, 199212-inch vinylcassetteLaFace
JapanJuly 22, 1992Mini-CDLaFaceArista
United KingdomAugust 10, 19927-inch vinyl12-inch vinylCDcassette
SwedenAugust 31, 1992CD
AustraliaSeptember 14, 199212-inch vinylCDcassette

See also