“I Can’t Stop Loving You Baby”
Song by Ray Charles
“I Can’t Stop Loving You Baby” was released by Ray Charles as the non-LP B-side of a single in August 1969 (ABC 11239); the A-side was “We Can Make It” from the Doing His Thing LP.
Not to be confused with the lush global smash “I Can’t Stop Loving You” from 1962, “I Can’t Stop Loving You Baby” is a fast R&B song written by Jimmy Lewis, who collaborated with Ray on Doing His Thing. Ray’s band is furious on this performance, tearing through the song with breathtaking force. There is a funkiness underneath, in the bedrock of the track, but the pace is so fast that it must retreat to the background. Out of the way, turtle, the hare is coming through!
Ray’s singing is equally manic, and he grunts and spits his way through the lyrics, which as the title suggests explain how he can’t quit this woman. Even his doctor’s sage advice goes unheeded; poor Ray has no choice. He’s addicted!
“I Can’t Stop Loving You Baby” is riotous fun, and it’s a shame that it was left off the Doing His Thing album. It was also one of Ray’s last songs only available on a vinyl 45 rpm record. Copies of the “We Can Make It” single are easy to find and shouldn’t cost too much. I don’t believe the song has ever been re-released on any LPs so a 45 is the only source anyway.
Songs like “I Can’t Stop Loving You Baby” are the hidden little gems that make exploring Mr. C’s deep catalog so much fun! I can’t stop doing it.
Baby.
Single releases
“We Can Make It”
b/w
“I Can’t Stop Loving You Baby”
Listen to “I Can’t Stop Loving You Baby”
Get your own “I Can’t Stop Loving You Baby” on 45 or MP3 from Amazon. Or get the out-of-print complete ABC singles 5xCD box set.