Formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961, the original group comprised singer-musician-composer and bandleader Brian Wilson, his brothers Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Wilson neighbor David Marks appeared on their first four albums and was a member from 1962 to 1963 as a temporary replacement for Jardine, who had left the group to pursue a career in dentistry.
On their first few studio albums, the group primarily played surf music, but this changed after 1964 as their songs became more sophisticated and autobiographical. The 1965 album Today! particularly represented this shift in sound. Bruce Johnston joined the group that same year. Session drummer Hal Blaine is quoted: "We all studied in conservatories; we were trained musicians. We thought it was a fluke at first, but then we realized Brian was writing these incredible songs. This was not just a young kid writing about high school and surfing."
Following their most esteemed work, Pet Sounds (1966), the band became symbols of psychedelic counterculture. The highly anticipated follow-up, Smile, was left unfinished, and Brian soon relinquished his creative hold on the group. A trilogy of lo-fi releases followed: Smiley Smile (1967), Wild Honey (1967), and Friends (1968). Brian would not be credited as a primary composer for any Beach Boys album until 1977's Love You, an album on the fringe of synth-pop, new wave, and punk.
In Brian's absence, the Beach Boys still managed to release music that was regarded favorably by fans and critics despite poor sales: Sunflower (1970) and Surf's Up (1971). South African musicians Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar played and sang with the band on the next two albums: Carl & the Passions - So Tough (1972), and Holland (1973).
Many changes in both musical style and personnel have occurred in their sometimes-stormy career: Brian Wilson's mental illness and drug addiction; the deaths of Dennis Wilson in 1983 and Carl Wilson in 1998; and continuing legal battles among surviving members of the group. With the release of 1974's Endless Summer they became a more popular touring act, playing their greatest hits. They have recorded 36 Billboard Top 40 hits (including four number-one singles), have had over 100 million sales, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Official site: http://www.thebeachboys.com
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
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 Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred Fassert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevebrown4185
Helen and Gina
Karen,Dawn and Vicky
Sue and denise
Lynda and Lyn
Beverley,Joanne,kathy and Kim
They all knew just where to begin
When the chief sweetie sang
And they all joined in
In the sweetie anthem,bar Barbara ann!
@gay_spiritual
-"I can't reef"
-(In deep strained tone) "Ba, Ba, Ba"
-"What, no! Loosen up."
-(In a lighter loosened tone) "Ba, Ba, Ba...you don't know how to sing"
-(All together)."Ba, Ba, Ba"
-"Black sheep, paddy-waddy wool"
- (in a boradway-like ending tone) "(inaudible)"
-"Oh, that was cute!"
š¼š¶š"BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-Barbara Ann....
@guitarzan5328
2:56 "For artistic flavour" šš¤£
@stevebrown4185
this is the best one,not the radio edit
@stevebrown4185
happy days!
@superboy4661
One more time LMFAO
@knotfan8626
One more time
@stoutie13
Stretch it girl, stretch it !!!!!!
@magneto7930
Scratch it, Carl.
@SW1Q1
Can you fit Barbra Steisand in this lyric space? . Is there room for BarBra Steisand in place of Barbra Anne ? . Anyone ?
@therobloxiankids3366
Beach Boys=awesome
@stevebrown4185
Helen and Gina
Karen,Dawn and Vicky
Sue and denise
Lynda and Lyn
Beverley,Joanne,kathy and Kim
They all knew just where to begin
When the chief sweetie sang
And they all joined in
In the sweetie anthem,bar Barbara ann!