Baby Love (3:55)

Regina Richards, who used the stage name Regina, is a dance music singer born in Brooklyn, New York. She is best known for her hit “Baby Love”, which hit #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. She is not to be confused with another artist named Regina (from Brazil, who charted with “Day By Day” in 1997).

Regina graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 1979 with a degree in theatre. She began her musical career as part of the New York punk and new wave scenes. Her first single, “Tyger,” was released by A&M Records in 1980. She released an album as Regina Richards and Red Hot on A&M, followed by a solo single, “Deep Dreaming,” for the label.

Initially, Regina only wished to pursue success in the mainstream style as a songwriter, with the idea that her work as a performer would remain in an alternative music vein. Regina co-wrote “Baby Love” with frequent Madonna collaborator Stephen Bray, and it was submitted to Madonna, who declined to record it - leaving Regina and Bray to record it themselves. At the time of the song’s release, many people thought “Baby Love” was performed by Madonna due to the Bray slant of the sound and Regina’s vocal similarity to the artist; hence, she became considered a “Madonna Wannabe” by many.

“Baby Love” was taken from Regina’s Curiosity album (Atlantic Records), which also included “Say Goodbye,” a song she had written with Kenny Rogers’ voice in mind.