My Baby Just Cares for Me

The version of My Baby Just Cares for Me we can experience today has a story behind it that makes it special. While the original song was written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn for the 1930 musical film *Whoopee!*, and became a signature tune for Eddie Cantor, it was Nina Simone's rendition that gave it new life. Recorded in late 1957, this take by Simone for her debut album, Little Girl Blue, remained largely unheralded until 1987. It was then that a television commercial in the UK for Chanel No. 5 perfume revived it, catapulting it to unexpected success. Following this exposure, the track was released as a single by Charly Records and reached number 5 on the UK charts, becoming one of Simone's biggest hits, nearly 18 years after her previous chart entry! This momentum also propelled it into the top 10 on several European charts and to number one on the Dutch Top 40.

Beyond its commercial resurgence, Nina Simone's interpretation of My Baby Just Cares for Me has been featured in film soundtracks such as Peter's Friends (1992), Shallow Grave (1994), and Stealing Beauty (1996). To accompany this revival, an animated stop-motion music video was produced in 1987 by Aardman Animations, directed by Peter Lord. This video blends live-action footage showing close-ups of a piano, drums, and double bass with an animated narrative of a singing cat and its feline admirer. The album Little Girl Blue, which features this version, was released by Bethlehem Records in February 1959, although the recording took place in late 1957 and its release was delayed.