| "Baby I" | ||||
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| Single by Ariana Grande | ||||
| from the album Yours Truly | ||||
| Released | July 22, 2013 | |||
| Recorded | 2012 | |||
| Studio | Brandon's Way (Los Angeles, California) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:17 | |||
| Label | Republic | |||
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| Producer(s) |
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| Ariana Grande singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Baby I" on YouTube | ||||
"Baby I" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released on July 22, 2013 by Republic Records as the second single from her debut studio album, Yours Truly (2013). The song was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Antonio Dixon and Patrick "J. Que" Smith and produced by the first two. "Baby I" is a pop and R&B song with drums, horns and a syncopated beat. It also contains an uptempo '90s-inspired beat. Lyrically, the song is about not being able to fully express your feelings towards someone you love. The song was well-received by music critics, who complimented the song's "throwback" sound, while others praised Grande's vocals, which were compared to those of Mariah Carey.
The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio in the United States on August 8, 2013. Commercially, it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at its peak position of number 21, mainly due to the strong digital sales. It stayed on the chart for four non-consecutive weeks. Internationally, the song entered record charts of several countries, including Australia, Canada and the Netherlands. The single experienced particular success in Japan, reaching number six there and earning a Gold certification by the RIAJ. "Baby I" has also been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
It was accompanied by a music video directed by Ryan Pallotta and filmed in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles. It was released on Grande's Vevo channel on September 5, 2013. The video was well-received by critics who highlighted Grande's styling and the video's concept. According to Grande, she wanted to emulate "the breeziness of early 90s music videos" and cited the style of actor Will Smith and the group TLC as two sources of inspiration. It featured Grande dancing in the streets wearing a top and shorts.