George Harrison - Ooh Baby (You Know That I Love You)

About "Ooh Baby (You Know That I Love You)"

"Ooh Baby (You Know That I Love You)" is a song by English musician George Harrison, released in 1975 on his album Extra Texture (Read All About It). Harrison wrote the composition as a tribute to American singer Smokey Robinson, whom he often identified as one of his favourite vocalists and songwriters. The song was intended as a companion piece to Robinson's 1965 hit with the Miracles, "Ooo Baby Baby", and its inclusion on Extra Texture contributed to that album's standing as Harrison's soul music album. His impersonation of Robinson's celebrated vocal style on the track, including portions sung in falsetto, contrasted with Harrison's hoarse, laryngitis-marred singing on his 1974 North American tour and the poorly received Dark Horse album.

Harrison recorded "Ooh Baby" at A&M Studios in Los Angeles between April and June 1975, with backing from rock musicians Jesse Ed Davis, Gary Wright, Klaus Voormann and Jim Keltner. In addition, the recording features an overdubbed horn section comprising Tom Scott and Chuck Findley. The song's sombre tone and slow tempo reflect Harrison's dejected mood following the criticism of his tour the previous year. Partly as a result of these solemn qualities, the track is held in low regard by several music critics. Some commentators instead highlight "Pure Smokey", released on Harrison's 1976 album Thirty Three & 1/3, as the more effective of his tributes to Robinson.