The most famous cover version is by the American rock band The Beach Boys. The song was released as a single on December 20, 1965, with the B-side "Girl Don't Tell Me". The song peaked at #2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 (#1 in Cash Box and Record World) and at #3 in the UK It also topped the charts in Germany, Switzerland and Norway. It was The Beach Boys' biggest hit in Italy, reaching #4. The song was also released on the 1965 album "Beach Boys' Party!" Brian Wilson and Dean Torrence, who had previously recorded the song as one half of Jan and Dean, are featured on lead vocals. Dean is not credited on the album jacket but "Thanks, Dean" is said by Carl at the end of the track.
A version recorded by the Beach Boys without the "Beach Boys' Party!" effects can be found on the "Hawthorne, CA" album. The Beach Boys made a false start on the Party! album by singing "Baa Baa Black Sheep" instead of "Baa Baa Baa Baa Barbara Ann". The Beach Boys sang this song as an encore on their "Live In London" album. Brian Wilson has a rendition on his live "Roxy" CD, and in 2001, performed it himself, with the ensemble, on An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson.
Barbara Ann
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann
Take my hand
Barbara Ann
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin'
Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
Went to a dance, looking for romance
Saw Barbara Ann, so I thought I'd take a chance on
Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Take my hand
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Take my hand
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin'
Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann
Take my hand
Barbara Ann
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin'
Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
(Let's go now)
(Takin' it in, Carl)
(Hal, and his famous ashtray)
(You smell like Rocky, you're always scratchin' it)
(Hey, come on)
(Scratch it, Carl, scratch it, baby, right over there)
(Down a little lower, down a little lower)
(Saw, tried)
Tried Peggy Sue
Tried Peggy Lou
Tried Mary Lou
But I knew she wouldn't do
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Take my
Barbara Ann
Take my hand
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin'
Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann
Take my hand
Barbara Ann
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin'
Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann
The Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann" is an ode to a girl named Barbara Ann who makes the singer feel alive and full of excitement. The repetitive nature of the song is a nod to an era in which call-and-response was very popular in music. The song is simple and catchy, with a fun beat and harmonies that make it impossible not to sing along.
The lyrics describe how the singer met Barbara Ann at a dance and was immediately drawn to her. He tries to connect with other girls but can't get Barbara Ann out of his head. The chorus repeats throughout the song, with the singer expressing his love for Barbara Ann and how she makes him feel.
The harmonies in "Barbara Ann" are a standout feature of the song, with each member of the band taking turns singing lead vocals. The song's upbeat tempo and fun lyrics have made it a classic party song and a fan favorite for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
A Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
The singer is introducing the song and the woman named Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
The singer repeats the name of the woman, Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann
The singer continues to address Barbara Ann directly
Take my hand
The singer invites Barbara Ann to join him in dancing or another activity
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Barbara Ann's presence has made the singer feel excited and energized
Rockin' and a reelin'
The singer is physically moving and dancing due to his feelings for Barbara Ann
Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann
The singer repeats the name of the woman, indicating his infatuation with her
Went to a dance, looking for romance
The singer set out to find someone to connect with at a social gathering
Saw Barbara Ann, so I thought I'd take a chance on
Upon seeing Barbara Ann, the singer decided to try to pursue her romantically
Tried Peggy Sue
The singer attempted to start a relationship with a woman named Peggy Sue
Tried Peggy Lou
The singer attempted to start a relationship with a woman named Peggy Lou
Tried Mary Lou
The singer attempted to start a relationship with a woman named Mary Lou
But I knew she wouldn't do
None of the women the singer tried to pursue worked out, and he knew it
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
The singer reaffirms his interest in Barbara Ann
Let's go now
The singer is signaling to start the music and continue the song
Takin' it in, Carl
The singer is acknowledging Carl for playing the music
Hal, and his famous ashtray
The singer is addressing Hal and his smoking habits
You smell like Rocky, you're always scratchin' it
The singer is teasing someone named Rocky about their personal hygiene
Hey, come on
The singer encourages the listener to join in or continue enjoying the song
Scratch it, Carl, scratch it, baby, right over there
The singer is directing Carl to play the music in a specific way
Down a little lower, down a little lower
The singer is instructing Carl to play the music at a lower volume or pitch
Barbara Ann
The singer reverts back to addressing Barbara Ann directly
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred Fassert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NadaCero
The Beach Boys are one of my go-to comfort bands. Most people only know their simple ditties like this, but their run of albums from Pet Sounds to Holland is something else. Beach Boys Love You is incredible too.
@natiquinn830
Saaame! I recently travelled around alone a bit and, even though I generally like it, I get anxiety and panic attacks sometimes and the first thing I do to counter that is listen to Long Promised Road or God Only Knows (and many other BBs songs but those I repeat the most). Never fails to calm me down and make me feel hopeful ❤
@erdnaxela9772
@@natiquinn830 Know this feeling, Big Sur (Landlocked version) is actually really great to relax and calm down. Listened to it each time i feel anxious
@bernracicot1123
I agree. Love You is one of my favorite albums. Sunflower is also terrific and very underrated.
@atr-wq2tv
damn you really go out of your way to dunk on 15 big ones
@stopmotioncat4885
yes
@trisnasanjaya6848
When I listening this song, I feel like I become a mom in Hawaii that have 2 kids and work in the duty free shop at the airport
She's wake up every 07.15 in the morning that the first time she's do is running the washing machine then get dressed up, serve breakfast with toast, fruit, ham, and egg either boiled or fried for 7 minute, and a fried broccoli.
@supyoitme1953
Godamnit, when u think you can’t find a jojo fan
You beat me lol
@adisadewa1337
Just looking for JoJo fan comment 😆
@doomraven9804
And we're just a week after the chapter 1 was released 😂