About the song
“Don’t Worry Baby,” a timeless gem from the American rock band The Beach Boys, stands as a quintessential example of their early musical brilliance. Released in May 1964 as the B-side to their hit single “I Get Around,” this song holds a special place in the annals of rock music, charting separately at number 24 and enduring as one of the band’s most celebrated tracks. Featured on their March 1964 album *Shut Down Volume 2*, “Don’t Worry Baby” showcases Brian Wilson’s exceptional songwriting and vocal prowess, both of which have been lauded as defining elements of his career. Wilson himself has described the song as possibly the finest record the Beach Boys ever produced.
Inspired by Brian Wilson’s infatuation with the Ronettes’ 1963 classic “Be My Baby,” “Don’t Worry Baby” adopts a similar musical framework but diverges significantly in its lyrical content and production style. While “Be My Baby” is characterized by its powerful and emotive delivery, Wilson’s composition introduces a new narrative twist—a braggart who, after boasting about his racing prowess, finds himself in need of comfort from his girlfriend. The refrain, “Don’t Worry Baby,” is both a soothing reassurance and a testament to the support and love present in their relationship.
Originally intended for the Ronettes, the song was turned down by their producer, Phil Spector, which paved the way for Wilson to produce it for the Beach Boys. This decision proved fortuitous, as the Beach Boys’ rendition is now celebrated for its lush harmonies and intricate instrumentation, with each member of the band contributing their own instrumental talents.
Over the years, “Don’t Worry Baby” has garnered significant acclaim, appearing in numerous critics’ lists including 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.” Its influence extends beyond the original release, inspiring cover versions by artists such as the Bay City Rollers, B.J. Thomas, and Ronnie Spector. Notably, B.J. Thomas’s cover surpassed the original in sales, climbing to number 17 in the U.S. and reaching number 1 in Canada. The Beach Boys themselves revisited the song in 1996, collaborating with Lorrie Morgan for their album *Stars and Stripes Vol. 1*. This enduring track continues to captivate audiences and remains a testament to the Beach Boys’ innovative spirit and musical legacy.
Video
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