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St. Paul, Minn.

Reimagined woman in Beatles song led to No. 1 hit

Helen Reddy
American singer Helen Reddy in London, where she performed at the Palladium in May 1978.
John Minihan / Getty Images

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Today's Morning Edition music is from 40 years ago today when "Angie Baby" by Helen Reddy was the No. 1 song on the pop charts.

It was written by Alan O'Day. He says the lyrics were inspired by the woman described in the Beatles tune "Lady Madonna," who was coping with a busy life. He thought the character would be more interesting if she was mentally unstable, living vicariously through the songs she heard on the radio.

O'Day wrote it with Cher in mind, but she wasn't recording at the time. So, the song was given to Reddy. It was her third-chart topping single.

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