Jackson Browne- Somebody’s Baby
Inspiration Behind Somebody’s Baby:
Jackson Browne’s 1982 hit was a collaboration between Danny Kortchmar who wrote the music and the producers of the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Browne teamed up with Cameron Crowe to produce Somebody’s Baby for this film’s soundtrack. Browne’s vision for Somebody’s Baby was to create an unabashed pop song which fit perfectly into one of the scenes of Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Biblical Application:
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight, 1 Peter 3:3-4.
Exegesis of Somebody’s Baby:
Well, just – a look at that girl with the lights comin’ up in her eyes
She’s got to be somebody’s baby
She must be somebody’s baby
All the guys on the corner stand back and let her walk on by
She’s got to be somebody’s baby
She must be somebody’s baby
She’s got to be somebody’s baby
She’s so fine
She’s probably somebody’s only light
Gonna shine tonight
Yeah, she’s probably somebody’s baby, all right
As an attractive girl walks by, most guys assume that she is probably somebody’s girlfriend. Most high school boys use common sense that someone this attractive must already have a boyfriend.
I heard her talkin’ with her friend when she thought nobody else was around
She said she’s got to be somebody’s baby; she must be somebody’s baby
‘Cause when the cars and the signs and the street lights light up the town
She’s got to be somebody’s baby
She must be somebody’s baby
She’s got to be somebody’s baby
She’s so
She’s gonna be somebody’s only light
Gonna shine tonight
Yeah, she’s gonna be somebody’s baby tonight
This is how immature minds think, “someone that good looking can’t be single?” This is the main thought throughout Somebody’s Baby.
I try to shut my eyes, but I can’t get her outta my sight
I know I’m gonna know her, but I gotta get over my fright
We’ll, I’m just gonna walk up to her
I’m gonna talk to her tonight
Yeah, she’s gonna be somebody’s only light
Gonna shine tonight
Yeah, she’s gonna be somebody’s baby tonight
Gonna shine tonight, make her mine tonight
A shy teenager is trying to get over his fears, trying to muster up enough confidence to talk to this beautiful girl. He seeks to envision himself actually talking to her. The goal is to find out who she is with.
Final Thoughts:
At the beginning of my senior year of high school, I made the mistake of asking out the new transfer. I didn’t waste any time, asking her out the first weekend of the school year. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving. Besides being grilled by her parents before taking her out, this was most boring date I ever experienced. I was cracking jokes throughout the movie, but only the couples in front and behind us were laughing. The following night I found out that she had a boyfriend and was afraid to tell me. Fortunately, I learned early on that what makes a woman beautiful is what is on the inside, not superficial appearances. One of Jesus’ disciples also learned a similar lesson in today’s Bible passage.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 