"What's the Matter with You Baby" is a 1964 single written by William "Mickey" Stevenson, Clarence Paul, and Barney Ales and produced by Stevenson. It was recorded and released by Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells on the Motown label.What's the Matter with You Baby at DiscogsThe Complete Motown Singles Vol 4: 1964 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records. Released as a double A-side single alongside "Once Upon a Time", the song gave Gaye and Wells another charted smash.
Background The song has Gaye and Wells going back and forth with Gaye apologizing to Wells for leaving her behind for someone else begging Wells to give him one more chance. At first, Wells says taking Gaye back would "hurt (her) pride" and that she cannot let him take her out for the night but after Gaye pleads for Wells to come back to him, Wells relents but still passes on him taking her out for the night. The song begins and ends with the two harmonizing together.
Chart performance "What's the Matter with You Baby" peaked at number seventeen on the U.S. Pop Singles chart when released.[ Allmusic review] On Cash Box "Top 50 in R&B Locations", the song went to number two. Chart (1964)PeakpositionU.S. Billboard Hot 10017
Personnel All vocals by Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells Produced by William "Mickey" Stevenson Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
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