When I first heard Angel Baby at Max’s web site PowerPop I was left stumped. I wondered, ‘where have you been all my life’? I can see why John Lennon adored it so. Listening to this felt like being reacquainted with a lost lover. The fact that Rosie and the Originals didn’t make money from this makes this song even more alluring. It definitely gives Earth Angel a run for its money or even supersedes it. Max truly made my day on November 3, 2023 when he posted about Angel Baby so I’ll turn it over to him:
Rosie Hamlin wrote “Angel Baby,” her and the Originals’ lone hit, when she was just 14, with her first boyfriend and the Penguins’ “Earth Angel” serving as her primary inspiration. After penning the song over a couple hours in the afternoon, Hamlin and some instrument-playing San Diego friends laid down the first version of the track.
They had trouble landing a record deal. No appointments with any of the labels. They eventually found a private studio and recorded the song themselves…all teenagers. After that, they took one of their 45’s to Kresge’s Department Store in San Diego. They had listening booths in their music section where you could preview records before you bought them. Rosie asked the manager to play their record and see if he could sell it in his store.
A distributor from Highland Records heard “Angel Baby” and, without officially signing the group to a record contract, took control of the single’s master take and gave songwriting credit to the Originals’ eldest member. The single eventually found its way to famed DJ Alan Freed, who played “Angel Baby” numerous times a day in November 1960; two months later, the single peaked at Number Five on the Hot 100.
– Read the remainder of the article – Rosie & The Originals – Angel Baby at PowerPop
It’s just like heaven
Being here with you
You’re like an Angel
Too good to be true
But after all
I love you, I do
Angel Baby
My Angel Baby
When you are near me
My heart skips a beat
I can hardly stand on
My own two feet
References:
1. Angel Baby (Rosie and the Originals song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Thank you Matt! I haven’t stop listening to it since. It has an allure to it…mysterious…something about her voice I just love.
How did you find it? I agree about her voice. I haven’t heard another voice like it even from that epoch.
Oh reading about The Bealtes back in the 80s…but back then I couldn’t go out and hear it as easy.
Oh yes of course, I remember you recalling that. I don’t know how you remembered it after so long to go look it up when things were easier to find. And I know you mentioned that as well. ‘Angel Baby’ is some kind of song, man.
Yes it is…it’s a shame she didn’t have any more hits. It’s too bad Lennon didn’t release his version while he was still alive…if she would have reached out to him…I’m positive he would have helped her record again.
I like your crystal ball thinking Max. Would Rosie have been aware that Lennon was a huge fan of her track?
It seems Rosie was born to accomplish this one hit. I think most aspiring singer – songwriters would be well-satisfied with that. Let’s see… we are talking about this song 64 years after its release.
She probably wouldn’t have known unless she would have read interviews…he recorded it for his Rock and Roll album. I wish John would have kept it in.
No way they would think about it being heard so much later.
Of course John’s version is pretty good, but maybe he chose not to venture onto what he might have considered ‘sacred turf’.
Yea that is true…he did hold it high….he talked about it in 1963 til he died…so he always loved it.
Tom (Dylan) in another comment nailed its allure as ‘mystique’ and unlike any other song I’ve heard.
Yes…that is why we are still talking about it so many years later.
That’s what I call a classic timeless ’60s oldie. Even though that chord progression has been used a million times, there’s something about Rosie Hamlin’s voice, which makes this a truly captivating song – just beautiful!
Hi Christian, ‘there’s something about Rosie Hamlin’s voice, which makes this a truly captivating song – just beautiful!’ – Yes indeed! Thanks for your feedback on it and I’m delighted you like it so.
So classic. So cool. Kinda mysterious….
It is mysterious. Almost haunting and otherworldly.
Mystical….
Heard this song from ‘Ginny and Georgia’ movie on Netflix and that’s how I ended up in my browser tryna search for it until I got here😭❤️God she’s soo good …im Nigerian but I just couldn’t help but cut my movie short the very moment I heard her voice in the movie and think about beautiful things🥺❤️it’s all love from here🫶
It’s interesting how you came across the song and then found this article. Rosie and the Originals didn’t make money from this, which is sad considering how spectacular her voice is. Thanks for chiming in Tasha. Enjoy Ginny and Georgia.