"Ghetto Baby" is a song by Cheryl from her third studio album A Million Lights, which was officially released on June 15, 2012. The song was written by Lana Del Rey and production duo Roy Kerr and Anu Pillai of Kid Gloves in 2011. It was originally written for Del Rey's debut album, Born to Die, but after it was cut, the song was given to Cheryl. Del Rey's version of the song leaked on August 8, 2012.
Background[]
Cheryl confirmed Del Rey would be writing for her album in May 2012. According to Cheryl, the song was composed prior to the success of "Video Games". On May 28, Cheryl shared two tweets teasing lyrics from the song: "I'm not a trick boy I'm a trick for you,you give me butterflies heart skipping 1,2 I know your [sic] sick boy I wanna get the flu..."[1] and "I'm running temperatures thinking of your love boo..", adding the hashtag "#ghettobaby".[2] In an interview for Spin or Bin Music, Del Rey stated that she and Cheryl shared the same boss at Polydor Records, who had expressed the thought that Cheryl would like the song, so they played it for her. Cheryl loved it and decided to record it.[3] Del Rey provides backing vocals on Cheryl's version. An official music video for the track was released on December 26, 2012.
The original file of Del Rey's version comes from an album titled "RNB PACK 10.08.11" suggesting that it was recorded on August 10, 2011.
Critical reception[]
The song was well received on Cheryl's album, but some critics noted that she sounded too much like Del Rey's version and the track lacked individuality.[4][5]
Cross-references[]
- The song bears close melodic and lyrical similarities to "Match Made in Heaven".
- References to butterflies can be found in "Butterflies", "Butterflies, Pt. 2", and "Happiness Is a Butterfly".
- A rock star is mentioned in many songs, such as "Is It Wrong" and "Big Bad Wolf".
- The lyric "crying tears of gold" appears in "Ultraviolence".
- "Show me what you got" is referenced in many songs, such as "Caught You Boy".
- The lyric "drop it like it's hot" also appears in "Go Go Dancer" and "Body Electric".
- The lyric "if they don't think we're good together, baby, just forget 'em" also appears in "Live Or Die".
Official versions[]
- Cheryl version — 2:49
- Lana Del Rey version — 2:48
Lyrics[]
Cheryl version[]
You got a face like the Madonna, crying tears of gold
Pumping gas at the Texaco, road to road
You're on the run
Oh, baby, yeah, you're on the run, oh, baby
I'm not a trick, boy, I'm a trick for you
You give me butterflies, heart skipping one, two
I know you're sick boy, I wanna get the flu
I'm running temperatures thinking of your love, boo
Brooklyn, move my soul like this
Kissing my stilettos, move your mouth up to my lips
Come on over, ghetto baby
(He said show 'em what you got, girl)
Come on over, ghetto baby
(Drop it like it's hot, girl)
I know your lips say that you wanna, but your heart's a no
But, boy, your hips say that you're gonna when you hold me, hold me
You're so fun
B-baby you are so much fun, b-baby
My local rock star, the really big crew
I'm feeling you, boy, you're liking me, too
I'm clocking chicks left and right just to get to you
You're out there on the grind, now come home to your queen, boo
Brooklyn, move my soul like this
Kissing my stilettos, move your mouth up to my lips
Come on over, ghetto baby
(He said show 'em what you got, girl)
Come on over, ghetto baby
(Drop it like it's hot, girl)
Brooklyn, move my soul like this
Kissing my stilettos, move your mouth up to my lips
Come on over, ghetto baby
(He said show 'em what you got, girl)
Come on over, ghetto baby
(Drop it like it's hot, girl)
We're a match made in heaven, if they're gonna talk, let 'em
If they don't think we're good together, baby, just forget 'em
When he's bad, he's bad, but when he's good, no one's better
We're a match made in heaven and this kinda love's forever
Brooklyn, move my soul like this
Kissing my stilettos, move your mouth up to my lips
Come on over, ghetto baby
(He said show 'em what you got, girl)
Come on over, ghetto baby
(Drop it like it's hot, girl)
Brooklyn, move my soul like this
Kissing my stilettos, move your mouth up to my lips
Come on over, ghetto baby
(He said show 'em what you got, girl)
Come on over, ghetto baby
(Drop it like it's hot, girl)
Lana Del Rey version[]
You got a face like the Madonna, crying tears of gold
P-pumping gas at the Texaco, road to road
You're on the run
Oh, baby, yeah, you're on the run, oh, baby
I'm not a trick, boy, I'm a trick for you
You give me butterflies, heart skipping one, two
I know you're sick boy, I wanna get the flu
I'm running temperatures thinking of your love, boo
Brooklyn, move my soul like this
Kissing my stilettos, move your mouth up to my lips
Come on over, ghetto baby
(He said show me what you got, girl)
Come on over, ghetto baby
(Drop it like it's hot, girl)
I know your lips say that you wanna, but your heart's a no
But, boy, your hips say that you're gonna when you hold me, hold me
You're so fun
B-baby, you are too much fun, b-baby
My local rock star, the Willy B crew
I'm feeling you, boy, you're liking me, too
I'm clocking chicks left and right just to get to you
You're out there on the grind, now come home to your queen, boo
Brooklyn, move my soul like this
Kissing my stilettos, move your mouth up to my lips
Come on over, ghetto baby
(He said show me what you got, girl)
Come on over, ghetto baby
(Drop it like it's hot, girl)
Brooklyn, move my soul like this
Kissing my stilettos, move your mouth up to my lips
Come on over, ghetto baby
(He said show me what you got, girl)
Come on over, ghetto baby
(Drop it like it's hot, girl)
We're a match made in heaven, if they're gonna talk, let 'em
If they don't think we're good together, baby, just forget 'em
When he's bad, he's bad, but when he's good, no one's better
'Cause we're a match made in heaven and this kinda love's forever
Brooklyn, move my soul like this
Kissing my stilettos, move your mouth up to my lips
Come on over, ghetto baby
(He said show me what you got, girl)
Come on over, ghetto baby
(Drop it like it's hot, girl)
Brooklyn, move my soul like this
Kissing my stilettos, move your mouth up to my lips
Come on over, ghetto baby
(He said show me what you got, girl)
Come on over, ghetto baby
(Drop it like it's hot, girl)
Credits[]
Personnel[a]
- Jim Beanz — production
- Roy Kerr — songwriting, production, programming, keyboards
- Anu Pillai — songwriting, production, programming, recording, string arrangement, bass [vocal], guitar, keyboards
- Lana Del Rey — songwriting, backing vocals
- Cheryl — vocals
- Manny Marroquin — mixing
- Chris Galland — mixing assistance
- Delbert Bowers — mixing assistance
- Naweed Ahmed — mastering
References[]
- ↑ Cheryl (May 28, 2012). "I'm not a trick boy I'm a trick for you,you give me butterflies heart skipping 1,2 I know your sick boy I wanna get the flu...". Twitter. https://twitter.com/CherylOfficial/status/207033121193992192. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ↑ Cheryl (May 28, 2012). "I'm running temperatures thinking of your love boo.. #ghettobaby". Twitter. https://twitter.com/CherylOfficial/status/207033246607876096. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ↑ BORN TO LANA (October 27, 2012). "Lana Del Rey interviewed by Spin or Bin". Tumblr. https://borntolana.tumblr.com/post/34418014486/lana-del-rey-interviewed-by-spin-or-bin. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ↑ Alexander, X (June 15, 2012). "Cheryl Cole Is A “Ghetto Baby” In New Lana Del Rey-Penned Song". Idolator. https://www.idolator.com/6626882/cheryl-cole-ghetto-baby-lana-del-rey. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "A Million Lights Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine". AllMusic. https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-million-lights-mw0002365468. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ↑ "Credits / A Million Lights (Deluxe Version) / Cheryl". Tidal. https://listen.tidal.com/album/34830228/credits. Retrieved May 21, 2024.