Don't Back Down

"Don't Back Down" is a song by the American rock band the Beach Boys and the final track on their 1964 album All Summer Long. Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, the lyrics describe a group of surfers who "don't back down from that wave", explaining that they "gotta be a little nuts" to show the girls "who's got guts". It was the group's last surfing-themed song until 1968's "Do It Again".[1]

For the album by the Queers, see Don't Back Down (album). For the song by Saint Etienne, see Sound of Water.
"Don't Back Down"
Song by the Beach Boys
from the album All Summer Long
ReleasedJuly 13, 1964
RecordedOctober 18, 1963 and April 2 – May 19, 1964
StudioWestern Studios
GenreVocal surf
Length1:52
LabelCapitol Records
Songwriter(s)Brian Wilson, Mike Love
Producer(s)Brian Wilson
"Don't Back Down"
Single by the Queers
from the album Don't Back Down
RecordedAugust 17, 1996
GenrePunk rock
Length1:58
Songwriter(s)Brian Wilson, Mike Love
Producer(s)J.J. Rassler, Mass Giorgini

In 1990, an earlier version of "Don't Back Down" was included on a reissue CD that compiled Little Deuce Coupe and All Summer Long, and in 2014, a new stereo mix was featured on the archival release Keep an Eye on Summer. In 1996, punk rock band the Queers recorded a cover version of the song that served as the lead single for their album Don't Back Down.

Composition

The song, in the key of A-flat, modulates to the key of A during each chorus, and returns to A-flat during the verse. A modulation during the chorus had previously been used by Wilson in songs such as "Don't Worry Baby".

Critical reception

AllMusic critic Richie Unterberger called the track a "relatively little-known treasure" and praised it for its "uncommonly anxious lyrics."[2] Music historian Andrew Hickey called the song "one of [All Summer Long's] best tracks."[1] Musicologist Philip Lambert said that "'Don't Back Down' positively explodes with surfing energy and vitality."[3]

Alternate version

An alternate version, sharing some of the elements of the final produced version, has a more serious tone. Lines such as "I know what it's like when you feel like backing down" and "Just grit your teeth, take it on, but don't back down!" give this version a personal, conversational and challenging direction.

Personnel

Per Craig Slownski.[4]

The Beach Boys
  • Mike Love – lead, bass, backing, and harmony vocals
  • Al Jardine – backing and harmony vocals, electric bass guitars
  • Brian Wilson – chorus falsetto, backing, and harmony vocals; upright, tack, or grand piano; Hammond B3 organ; arranger
  • Carl Wilson – backing and harmony vocals, electric rhythm guitars
  • Dennis Wilson – backing and harmony vocals, drums
Additional musicians and production staff

References
  1. Hickey, Andrew. The Beach Boys On CD vol 1: The 1960s.
  2. Unterberger, Richie. "All Summer Long - The Beach Boys | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  3. Lambert, Philip. Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius.
  4. Boyd, Alan; Linette, Mark; Slowinski, Craig (2014). Keep an Eye On Summer 1964 (Digital Liner). The Beach Boys. Capitol Records. Mirror
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