Patti Austin w/James Ingram--Baby Come to Me (1982)

     In the modern history of music, there can be many variables that can make a song a hit. The news of the day can effect it, as can the mood of the population. At times, cross pollination (i.e television, You Tube...etc.) will push a song up the charts. The story of this song was an example of this.

     Patti Austin already had a solid career singing backup on other people's music, and doing jingles. Although only 22 at the time of this recording, she had a lot of experience, with her first time on stage at the Apollo theater at the age of 4. Of course, she had always been around music with Dinah Washington and Quincy Jones being her godparents. It was Jones who signed her to his Quest records in the early 80's.

      "Baby, Come to Me" was released in late 1981, and struggled to reach #73 in late 1982. Later that year, ABC chose the song to be the love theme for the character Luke Spencer on the soap opera "General Hospital". It reignited the song and until it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the R&B charts. By the way, it's not hard to hear Michael McDonald on background vocals as well. Austin continued success on the charts for much of the 80's. She continues to record and tour, but with her focus on Jazz and Adult Contemporary. She won a Grammy in 2008 for best Jazz Vocal.