About the song
“Don’t Worry Baby” is a timeless classic by the American rock band The Beach Boys, released in March 1964 on their album *Shut Down Volume 2*. Written by Brian Wilson in collaboration with Roger Christian, the song holds a special place in the band’s history and in the hearts of fans worldwide. Brian Wilson’s lead vocal performance on this track is often regarded as one of his most defining moments, capturing the emotional depth and vulnerability that became a hallmark of The Beach Boys’ music. Wilson himself has even referred to “Don’t Worry Baby” as perhaps the finest record the band ever produced.
The song was initially conceived as a response to Wilson’s deep admiration for The Ronettes’ 1963 hit “Be My Baby,” a song that left a lasting impression on him. The musical structure of “Don’t Worry Baby” echoes the influence of “Be My Baby,” but while the former focuses on a sweet, reassuring message, Wilson’s creation delves into a different narrative. The lyrics of “Don’t Worry Baby” tell the story of a young man who, driven by pride, agrees to a drag race, only to be comforted by his girlfriend who reassures him with the song’s title phrase. This juxtaposition of bravado and tender emotion creates a relatable and poignant story, one that resonates deeply with listeners.
Interestingly, “Don’t Worry Baby” was originally offered to The Ronettes, but was turned down by their producer, Phil Spector. This rejection led Brian Wilson to produce the song for The Beach Boys himself, ensuring that his vision for the song was realized with his own band. On the recording, all members of The Beach Boys played their instruments, contributing to the song’s authentic and heartfelt sound.
Upon its release, “Don’t Worry Baby” became the B-side to the hit single “I Get Around,” but it quickly made its own mark, charting separately and reaching number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has since been celebrated as one of The Beach Boys’ most iconic tracks, earning spots on several prestigious rankings, 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.”
Over the years, “Don’t Worry Baby” has been covered by numerous artists, including the Bay City Rollers, B.J. Thomas, and Ronnie Spector. B.J. Thomas’s rendition even surpassed the original in sales, reaching number 17 in the U.S. and topping the charts in Canada. The Beach Boys themselves revisited the song in 1996, recording a version with country singer Lorrie Morgan for their album *Stars and Stripes Vol. 1*.
“Don’t Worry Baby” continues to endure as a symbol of The Beach Boys’ unique ability to blend emotional storytelling with their signature harmonies, making it a cherished piece of music history.
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