Be My Friend

The song "Be My Friend" by Baby Animals from their 1993 album Shaved and Dangerous carries a raw emotional weight, reflecting the band's gritty rock style. In a 1993 interview with Rip It Up magazine, lead singer Suze DeMarchi shared that the song was inspired by a personal plea for connection during a turbulent time in her life, though she kept the specifics vague, letting listeners project their own stories onto the lyrics. The track’s driving guitar riffs and DeMarchi’s soulful delivery made it a fan favorite, often cited in fan posts on Baby Animals’ Facebook for its anthemic quality at live shows. A 2023 post on the band’s Instagram celebrated the 30th anniversary of Shaved and Dangerous, noting that "Be My Friend" was one of the first songs written for the album, with guitarist Dave Leslie recalling late-night jam sessions where the band aimed to capture a "heart-on-sleeve vibe." Fans in the Baby Animals Appreciation Society group on Facebook frequently share bootleg recordings of the song from early '90s gigs, highlighting its enduring appeal among Zoo Freaks who vibe with its call for camaraderie.

Another tidbit about "Be My Friend" surfaced in a 2019 X post by the band, where they revealed that the song’s bridge was nearly cut during production due to time constraints, but producer Mike Chapman insisted on keeping it, believing it added a crucial emotional peak. This decision paid off, as fans often cite the bridge’s soaring melody as a highlight. The song’s lyrics, with lines like “Won’t you be my friend, I need someone to lean on,” resonate with the Zoo Crew’s hippie ethos of community and connection, making it a perfect fit for their airwaves. While no specific stories tie the song directly to the recording process, DeMarchi mentioned in a 1994 Kerrang! interview that the band recorded much of the album in a haze of exhaustion, which lent tracks like "Be My Friend" a raw, unpolished edge that Zoo Freaks likely appreciate for its authenticity.

Baby Animals formed in Perth, Australia, in 1989, when Suze DeMarchi, a charismatic vocalist with a bluesy edge, met guitarist Dave Leslie. DeMarchi had been gigging in local pubs, honing her craft since her teens, while Leslie was a seasoned player in the Perth rock scene. According to a bio on their official website, the two bonded over a shared love of classic rock and punk energy, recruiting drummer Frank Celenza and bassist Eddie Parise to complete the lineup. Their early days were marked by relentless gigging in sweaty dive bars, building a loyal following through word-of-mouth and DeMarchi’s magnetic stage presence. By 1991, their self-titled debut album, driven by hits like "Early Warning" and "Rush You," went multi-platinum in Australia, earning them international attention and a deal with Imago Records. The band’s Instagram often shares throwback photos from these formative years, showing a young, leather-clad DeMarchi belting out songs to packed venues.

The band’s rise wasn’t without hurdles. A 1993 post on the Baby Animals Facebook page recounted how they nearly disbanded during the recording of Shaved and Dangerous due to label pressures and internal tensions, yet their resilience shone through, producing an album that fans still cherish. Today, Baby Animals remain active, touring and releasing new music, with their X account keeping fans updated on shows and vinyl reissues. The Baby Animals Appreciation Society on Facebook is a vibrant hub for fans, where Zoo Freaks can connect over rare memorabilia and concert stories. Another fan-driven space, the Baby Animals Fan Club, shares live videos and organizes meetups at gigs, fostering the communal spirit that "Be My Friend" embodies.