Shannon and the Clams is an American indie garage punk quartet based in Oak… Read Full Bio ↴Shannon and the Clams is an American indie garage punk quartet based in Oakland, California. Known for a vintage sound that incorporates elements of doo-wop, classic R&B, garage psych, and surf, the band has drawn comparisons to both Buddy Holly and 1960s girl groups.

Like a Beach Rock revival, Shannon and the Clams take you back to a time when Judy and Johnny were your favorite worst couple, with the help of some very heartbreaking background vocals and guitar riffs of which The Beatles would be proud. Influences like The Beach Boys, The Shangri- La's, The Ronettes, and Patsy Cline shine through in songs like "When You're On", with front woman Shannon crooning like a scorned Leslie Gore, but with a rough unpolished edge inspired by the likes of The Cramps, Bad Brains, and fellow beach bum Nobunny.

Baby Don't Do It
Shannon and the Clams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You've got trouble in your eyes,
You've got trouble in your eyes
I can see it
I keep runnin' down your street
Following the smell of your feet
Like a compass
Hot on your trail I can tell by the smell
Broken twigs and bread crumbs

My machete glints by the light of the moon
But I'm too late

Baby, don't do it You've go trouble in your eyes bad thoughts on your mind
So I chased you
My machete and me hacked a trail all night through the forest
Hot on your trail I can tell by the smell
Broken twigs and bread crumbs
My machete glints by the light of the moon
But I'm too late

Baby, don't do it
(xseveral)

Overall Meaning

The song "Baby Don't Do It" by Shannon and the Clams is a cautionary tale about a person who is clearly troubled and headed down a dangerous path. The opening line, "You've got trouble in your eyes," sets the ominous tone for the rest of the song. The singer is following this person, trying to catch up to them before they do something they'll regret. The image of following the smell of their feet like a compass is unsettling, and the fact that they are using a machete to hack their way through the forest adds to the sense of danger and urgency.

The repetition of "I'm too late" suggests that the singer has failed in their mission to stop this person from making a mistake. The chorus, "Baby, don't do it," is a plea to this troubled individual to reconsider their actions. The line "bad thoughts on your mind" is a reminder that everyone has dark thoughts at times, but acting on them can lead to harmful consequences.

Overall, "Baby Don't Do It" is a haunting and powerful song that serves as a reminder of the importance of reaching out to those in need and offering help before it's too late.

Line by Line Meaning

You've got trouble in your eyes
I can see that you're troubled and something's bothering you

I keep runnin' down your street
I keep chasing after you to try and help you

Following the smell of your feet
I'm tracking your scent to find where you are

Like a compass
I'm using your scent to guide me towards you

Hot on your trail I can tell by the smell
I'm close behind you and can track you by your scent

Broken twigs and bread crumbs
You've left a trail behind you and I can see where you've been

My machete glints by the light of the moon
I'm prepared to protect you against any danger

But I'm too late
I arrive to find that you've already made a decision that I couldn't stop

Baby, don't do it
Please don't make that decision that could hurt you

You've got trouble in your eyes bad thoughts on your mind
I see that you're struggling with negative thoughts that could lead to bad actions

Contributed by Jack F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.