About the song
“Don’t Worry Baby” by the Beach Boys is a seminal track that emerged from the creative genius of Brian Wilson and lyricist Roger Christian. Released in May 1964 as the B-side to “I Get Around,” the song quickly carved out its own place in music history, peaking at number 24 on the charts. Brian Wilson’s lead vocal delivery on “Don’t Worry Baby” has been hailed as one of his most compelling performances, with Wilson himself later considering it among the Beach Boys’ finest achievements.
The song’s inception stemmed from Wilson’s deep admiration for the Ronettes’ hit “Be My Baby,” evident in its musical structure and lush production style. However, “Don’t Worry Baby” took a different narrative direction, telling the story of a young man who reluctantly agrees to a drag race, only to be comforted by his girlfriend with reassurances encapsulated in the song’s title refrain. Originally intended for the Ronettes, the song was rejected by their producer, Phil Spector, prompting Wilson to produce it himself for the Beach Boys. Each member of the band contributed to the recording, playing their respective instruments, which added to the song’s organic and cohesive sound.
Critically acclaimed and enduringly popular, “Don’t Worry Baby” has earned a place in numerous prestigious rankings over the years. It was featured in Spin’s “100 Greatest Singles of All Time,” Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” and Pitchfork’s “200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s.” The song’s influence extended beyond its initial release, inspiring cover versions by various artists such as the Bay City Rollers, B.J. Thomas, and Ronnie Spector. Notably, B.J. Thomas’ rendition achieved significant commercial success, surpassing the original’s sales by reaching number 17 in the U.S. and claiming the number 1 spot in Canada.
In a nod to its enduring appeal, the Beach Boys revisited “Don’t Worry Baby” in 1996, recording a new version featuring country artist Lorrie Morgan for their album *Stars and Stripes Vol. 1*. This reinterpretation underscored the song’s timeless qualities and its ability to resonate with audiences across generations, cementing its status as a classic in the pantheon of American rock music.
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Lyrics
Well it’s been building up inside of me
For oh I don’t know how long
I don’t know why
But I keep thinking
Something’s bound to go wrong
But she looks in my eyes
And makes me realize
And she says “don’t worry, baby”
Don’t worry, baby
Don’t worry, baby
Everything will turn out alright
Don’t worry, baby
Don’t worry, baby
Don’t worry, baby
I guess I should’ve kept my mouth shut
When I started to brag about my car
But I can’t back down now because
I pushed the other guys too far
She makes me come alive
And makes me wanna drive
When she says “don’t worry, baby”
Don’t worry, baby
Don’t worry, baby
Everything will turn out alright
Don’t worry, baby
Don’t worry, baby
Don’t worry, baby
She told me “Baby, when you race today
Just take along my love with you
And if you knew how much I loved you
Baby, nothing could go wrong with you”
Oh what she does to me
When she makes love to me
And she says “don’t worry, baby”
Don’t worry, baby
Don’t worry, baby
Everything will turn out alright
Don’t worry, baby
Don’t worry, baby
Don’t worry, baby