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Those who know me well, know that I've been a fan of the Beach Boys for most of my life. And, even though almost ALL of their Greatest Songs were released in the '60s, I've been able to sneak a few into this blog from time to time.
Today, I want to highlight a song that is arguably one of the best "B" sides the Boys ever released...and a cover that became a "Great Song of the '70s."
1964's "Don't Worry Baby" (about a man who is nervous about racing his hot rod until his "baby" comforts him) was the "B" side to their first #1 song, "I Get Around." That's a shame, because, even though the song charted at #24 on the Hot 100, it deserved better.
Brian Wilson himself patterned it after his all-time favorite song, "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes, and considers it one of his finest vocals.
There is no question in anyone's mind that if "Don't Worry Baby" had been the "A" side, it would have topped the charts as well.
The song has been covered several times--by the likes of Ronnie Spector (of the Ronettes!), The Bay City Rollers, and country music's Lorrie Morgan--but by far, the most successful cover was the B.J. Thomas version from 1977.
B.J. was a HUGE Beach Boys fan, and did a great job with it.
The numbers back me up: #1 on Canada's Adult Contemporary Chart, #2 in the US on Billboard's matching chart, and more than 800,000 copies sold! To his dying day, B.J. would include "Don't Worry Baby" in his concert set list.
"Don't Worry Baby:" one of the Greatest B-Sides of all time in 1964, thanks to Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, and a "Great Song of 1977" by B.J/ Thomas.
B.J. Thomas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9BOm34Kblk
Beach Boys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQWTneirnPc
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