"Babe" is a 1993 song by English boy bandTake That, released as the fourth single from their second album, Everything Changes. Written by Gary Barlow, it features Mark Owen on lead vocals. The production was led by David Clayton who later spent 10 years as keyboard player and backing vocalist with Simply Red.
Released on 6 December 1993,[1][2] "Babe" became Take That's third single in a row to go straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart, knocking Mr Blobby's self-titled novelty single from the number one slot in the process.[3] With this achievement, Take That became the first band to have three consecutive singles debut at number one.[4] The following week, Mr Blobby's single climbed back to number one, denying Take That the Christmas number one place.[3] The single sold 350,000 copies in 1993, and was that year's 14th biggest-selling single.[5] The song was certified platinum on 1 January 1994 for shipments of over 600,000 copies in the UK.[1] The song was featured in the Only Fools and Horses episode "Fatal Extraction" broadcast on 25 December 1993, the day that the song had been knocked off number one in the singles chart.
Critical reception[]
AllMusic editor Bryan Buss described the song as "surprisingly risqué".[6] Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger noted that the melody is "murky and sad – this is as fog-bound and haunted a number one as we've seen since the high Gothic of John Leyton – and the tension gives the story a dignity."[7] Music writer James Masterton said in his weekly UK chart commentary, "Babe is another slowly with a familiar lyrical theme of the prodigal lover returning to find his ex with a child bearing his eyes etc. etc. It grows on you as well".[8] Alan Jones from Music Week rated it four out of five, writing that "this overwrought ballad lacks the instant appeal of many of the group's previous singles. But the combination of massive media support, the Smash Hits Awards and large fanbase make it a cert."[9] Pop Rescue noted that it "has tear-jerking lyrics and vocals from Mark", adding that "the emotions soar here as much as the dramatic strings".[10] Leesa Daniels from Smash Hits gave "Babe" five out of five, calling it "gorgeous". She stated that Owen's vocals "are the real triumph".[11]
Music video[]
A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Gregg Masuak.[12] It was the first Take That video to involve the members act out a story and to use drama in. The video runs parallel to the song's lyrics, showing Owen trying to track down a loved one after coming back from war. Later in the video it emerges that Owen has fathered a child. The video uses intercut clips of the band standing around Barlow, all performing the song. The last few seconds of the video are somewhat happier, showing outtakes of the band from the video.
