Music IQFeaturedChartsVideosPromote Your MusicSign Up

In The Back Of My Mind

The Beach Boys

Producer

Brian Wilson

Track 33 on

Made In California Mar. 8, 19651 viewer5.4K views

https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.695.1_en.html#fid=goog_666191176

4

NOW
PLAYING

12 Contributors

In The Back Of My Mind Lyrics

[Verse 1: Dennis Wilson]
I’m blessed with everything
A world to which a man can cling
So happy times when I break out in tears
In the back of my mind I still have my fears

[Verse 2: Dennis Wilson]
I live my life with her
Love her true, she knows I’m sure
I make her happy just living so plain
In the back of my mind I’m afraid it’s going to change

[Bridge: Dennis Wilson]
I tried to run far way from thoughts
I should try to keep away
But they just keep coming back to me
I tried to rationalize
But some day I might realize
That things are just gonna be the way they’ll be

[Verse 3: Dennis Wilson]
I know it’s so hard to find
A girl who really understands your mind
What will I do if I lose her
It will always be way in the back of my mind

See The Beach Boys LiveGet tickets as low as $48

https://77e114045a81ea3cab185b59b46b3d5f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-43/html/container.html?v=1-0-44

You might also like

Romantic Homicide

d4vdShe Knows Me Too WellThe Beach BoysCupid (Twin Version)FIFTY FIFTY (피프티피프티)Embed

https://77e114045a81ea3cab185b59b46b3d5f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-43/html/container.html?v=1-0-44

About

This song bio is unreviewed

Genius Annotation1 contributor

A harmonically rich, lyrically poignant composition that foreshadows many of the songwriting choices Brian Wilson would make for Pet Sounds a year later, and an evocative picture of Brian Wilson’s mental health at the time.+9Share

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaningAsk a question

Who produced “In The Back Of My Mind” by The Beach Boys?

When did The Beach Boys release “In The Back Of My Mind”?

Who wrote “In The Back Of My Mind” by The Beach Boys?

Made In California (2013)

The Beach Boys

1. 1.Home Recordings/Surfin’ Rehearsal Highlights (2012 Edit – Mono) (Missing Lyrics)
2. 2.Surfin’ (Single Version)
3. 3.Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring (Demo)
4. 4.Surfin’ Safari
5. 5.409
6. 6.Lonely Sea (Original Mono Mix)
7. 7.Surfin’ U.S.A.
8. 8.Shut Down
9. 9.Surfer Girl
10. 10.Little Deuce Coupe
11. 11.Catch A Wave
12. 12.Our Car Club
13. 13.Surfers Rule (with Session Intro) (Missing Lyrics)
14. 14.In My Room
15. 15.Back Home (1963)
16. 16.Be True to Your School (Single Version)
17. 17.Ballad Of Ole’ Betsy
18. 18.Little Saint Nick
19. 19.Fun, Fun, Fun
20. 20.Little Honda
21. 21.Don’t Worry Baby
22. 22.Why Do Fools Fall In Love
23. 23.The Warmth Of The Sun
24. 24.I Get Around (with Session Intro – Mono) (Missing Lyrics)
25. 25.Wendy
26. 26.All Summer Long
27. 27.Girls on the Beach
28. 28.Don’t Back Down
29. 29.When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)
30. 30.All Dressed Up For School
31. 31.Please Let Me Wonder
32. 32.Kiss Me, Baby
33. 33.In The Back Of My Mind
34. 34.Dance, Dance, Dance
35. 35.Do You Wanna Dance?
36. 36.Help Me, Rhonda
37. 37.California Girls
38. 38.Amusement Parks USA (Early Version)
39. 39.Salt Lake City
40. 40.Let Him Run Wild
41. 41.Graduation Day (Session Excerpt and Master Take, 2012 Mix) (Missing Lyrics)
42. 42.The Little Girl I Once Knew
43. 43.There’s No Other (Like My Baby) (2012 “Unplugged” Mix with Party Session Intro) (Missing Lyrics)
44. 44.Barbara Ann (45 Version)
45. 45.Radio Spot “Wonderful KYA” (Mono)
46. 46.Sloop John B
47. 47.Wouldn’t It Be Nice
48. 48.God Only Knows (1996 Stereo Mix)
49. 49.I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times
50. 50.Caroline, No
51. 51.Good Vibrations
52. 53.Heroes and Villains: Part 1 (“Smile Sessions” Mix/Mono)
53. 54.Heroes and Villains: Part 2 (“Smile Sessions” Mix/Mono)
54. 55.Vega-Tables
55. 56.Wind Chimes (Smile Version)
56. 57.The Elements: Fire (Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow)
57. 58.Cabin Essence (Smile Sessions Version)
58. 59.Heroes and Villains
59. 60.Wonderful
60. 61.Country Air
61. 62.Wild Honey
62. 63.Darlin’
63. 64.Let the Wind Blow
64. 65.Meant for You (Alternate Version)
65. 66.Friends
66. 67.Little Bird
67. 68.Busy Doin’ Nothin’
68. 69.Sail Plane Song
69. 70.We’re Together Again
70. 72.Do It Again
71. 74.Be With Me
72. 75.I Can Hear Music
73. 76.Time to Get Alone
74. 77.I Went to Sleep
75. 79.Break Away (alternate version)
76. 80.Celebrate The News
77. 81.Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) (Single Version)
78. 82.Susie Cincinnati
79. 83.Good Time
80. 84.Slip On Through
81. 85.Add Some Music to Your Day
82. 86.This Whole World
83. 87.Forever
84. 88.It’s About Time
85. 89.Soulful Old Man Sunshine
86. 91.Sound of Free
87. 92.’Til I Die
88. 93.Surf’s Up
89. 94.Don’t Go Near The Water
90. 95.Disney Girls (1957)
91. 96.Feel Flows
92. 97.(Wouldn’t It Be Nice To) Live Again
93. 98.Marcella
94. 99.All This Is That
95. 100.Sail On, Sailor
96. 101.The Trader
97. 102.California Saga (California)
98. 103.Rock and Roll Music (2012 Mix with Extra Verse)
99. 104.It’s OK (Alternate Mix)
100. 105.Had to Phone Ya
101. 106.Let Us Go On This Way
102. 107.I’ll Bet He’s Nice
103. 108.Solar System
104. 109.The Night Was So Young
105. 110.It’s Over Now (Alternate Mix)
106. 111.Come Go with Me
107. 112.California Feelin’
108. 113.Brian’s Back
109. 114.Good Timin’
110. 115.Angel Come Home
111. 116.Baby Blue
112. 117.It’s A Beautiful Day – Single Edit/2012 Mix
113. 118.Goin’ To The Beach
114. 119.Goin’ On
115. 120.Why Don’t They Let Us Fall in Love
116. 121.Da Doo Ron Ron
117. 122.Getcha Back
118. 123.California Dreamin’
119. 124.Kokomo
120. 125.Soul Searchin’
121. 126.You’re Still a Mystery
122. 127.That’s Why God Made The Radio
123. 128.Isn’t It Time (single mix)
124. 149.Sherry She Needs Me (1965 Track With 1976 Vocal)
125. 152.Where Is She?
126. 153.Had To Phone Ya (Instrumental Track)
127. 158.Why (Instrumental Track)
128. 159.Barnyard Blues
129. 160.Don’t Go Near the Water (Instrumental Track)
130. 161.You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
131. 162.Transcendental Meditation (Instrumental Track)
132. 163.Our Sweet Love (Vocals w/Strings)
133. 164.Back Home (1970 Version)
134. 165.California Feelin’ (Original Demo)
135. 168.Surf’s Up (1967 Version)
136. 169.My Love Lives On

Expand 

Credits

Producer

Brian Wilson

Writers

Mike Love & Brian Wilson

Lead Vocals

Dennis Wilson

Harmony Vocals

Brian Wilson & Carl Wilson

Twelve-String Electric Guitar

Carl Wilson

Timbales

Hal Blaine

Temple Blocks

Hal Blaine

Drums

Hal Blaine

English Horn

Peter Christ

Tenor Saxophone

Steve Douglas & Plas Johnson

Baritone Saxophone

Jay Migliori

Bass

Carol Kaye

Acoustic Guitar

Bill Pitman

Hammond B-3 Organ

Don Randi

Harmonica

Billy Lee Riley

Vibraphone

Leon Russell

Rhythm Guitar

Billy Strange

Autoharp

Tommy Tedesco

Recorded At

United Western Recorders, Gold Star Studios and RCA Victor Studios (Hollywood)

Released on

March 8, 1965

In The Back Of My Mind Covers

In The Back of My Mind (1975) by Brian Wilson

Tags

RockPopOrchestralExpand 

https://77e114045a81ea3cab185b59b46b3d5f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-43/html/container.html?v=1-0-44

CommentsAdd a comment

Get the conversation started
Be the first to comment

Sign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓

Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.Sign Up

$46,000

1929 Packard Eight

$46,000

$13

Callaway Men’s Size M Sweat Shorts Opti-Dri Mesh Gray Polyes…

$13

$20

Vintage Y2K Dreamgirl Womens Black Mesh Sexy Lace Tie Back N…

$20

$18

Reebok Mens Sz L Conor McGregor UFC Fighting T Shirt The Kin…

$18

Sell your gear & get listed here!

FROM THE WEBGumby Is Returned To Shelter 11 Times Before Staff Discovers He’d Already Found His Home(LittleThings.com)

FROM THE WEB8 Foolish Things Middle-Class Americans Waste Their Money OnAre you wasting your money on these?(financebuzz.com)

FROM THE WEBEvery driver should have these cheap night glasses(Night Vision Pro)

FROM THE WEBSmarten Up, Americans. No Offense But Millions of Us Haven’t Used These 5 Money Secrets(The Penny Hoarder)

FROM THE WEBThis Copper Growth Stock Is on the Verge of a Major BreakoutCopper demand may double by 2045. Star Copper (OTC: STCUF) is gaining attention as demand accelerates.(Wall St. Picks)

FROM THE WEBCredit Card Debt Shouldn’t Hold You Back. Try This(NerdWallet)

FROM THE WEBThe Ultimate Compressor Showdown: CLA-2A vs. CLA-3A(Waves Audio)

FROM THE WEBCar Insurance Quotes as low as $29/monthGet real-time quotes from the top 70+ car insurance companies. Compare quotes and save up to $1,025.(auto insurance rates by compare.com)

FROM THE WEBHusband Noticed Strange Detail in Picture(Tips and Tricks)

FROM THE WEBTony Curtis Said That Kissing Marilyn Monroe Was Like Kissing A Notorious DictatorThese co-stars began as friends but by the end of filming, they couldn’t stand each other.(TutorialRepublic)

FROM THE WEB[Pics] Eat Your Way to Cleaner Arteries with These FoodsEmbrace a diet that supports arterial health every day.(GadgetReview)

https://genius.com/static/tonefuse_player?artist=The%20Beach%20Boys&song=In%20The%20Back%20Of%20My%20Mind&ad_unit_id=100006277

Genius is the world’s biggest collection of song lyrics and musical knowledge

About GeniusContributor GuidelinesPressShopAdvertisePrivacy Policy

LicensingJobsDevelopersCopyright PolicyContact UsSign InDo Not Sell My Personal Information

© 2025 ML Genius Holdings, LLC

Terms of Use

Verified Artists

All Artists:

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz#

Hot Songs:

SAFARISEYAHATNo HookDON JULIOG-SichtView Allhttps://server.cpmstar.com/usersync.aspx?ifr=1&gdpr=0&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fads.assemblyexchange.com%2Fdoh%2Fingest%3Fpartner%3Dcpmstar%26uid%3D9da4735c-751a-409b-b8b5-82f636005858%26property_id%3Dgenius.com%26app_version%3Dweb_0.0.1%26lib_version%3Dweb_2.1.3%26partner_uid%3D%24UIDhttps://crb.kargo.com/api/v1/dsync/genius?exid=9da4735c-751a-409b-b8b5-82f636005858&r=https%3A%2F%2Fads.assemblyexchange.com%2Fdoh%2Fingest%3Fpartner%3Dkargo%26uid%3D9da4735c-751a-409b-b8b5-82f636005858%26property_id%3Dgenius.com%26app_version%3Dweb_0.0.1%26lib_version%3Dweb_2.1.3%26partner_uid%3D%24UID&gdpr=0https://cs-rtb.minutemedia-prebid.com/sync-iframe?gdpr=0&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fads.assemblyexchange.com%2Fdoh%2Fingest%3Fpartner%3Dminutemedia%26uid%3D9da4735c-751a-409b-b8b5-82f636005858%26property_id%3Dgenius.com%26app_version%3Dweb_0.0.1%26lib_version%3Dweb_2.1.3%26partner_uid%3D%7BpartnerId%7Dhttps://cs-server-s2s.yellowblue.io/sync-iframe?gdpr=0&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fads.assemblyexchange.com%2Fdoh%2Fingest%3Fpartner%3Drise_codes%26uid%3D9da4735c-751a-409b-b8b5-82f636005858%26property_id%3Dgenius.com%26app_version%3Dweb_0.0.1%26lib_version%3Dweb_2.1.3%26partner_uid%3D%7BpartnerId%7Dhttps://ap.lijit.com/pixel?gdpr=0&redir=https%3A%2F%2Fads.assemblyexchange.com%2Fdoh%2Fingest%3Fpartner%3Dsovrn%26uid%3D9da4735c-751a-409b-b8b5-82f636005858%26property_id%3Dgenius.com%26app_version%3Dweb_0.0.1%26lib_version%3Dweb_2.1.3%26partner_uid%3D$UIDhttps://sync.cootlogix.com/api/user/html/55537adc33d1b40300987e8e?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fads.assemblyexchange.com%2Fdoh%2Fingest%3Fpartner%3Dvidazoo%26uid%3D9da4735c-751a-409b-b8b5-82f636005858%26property_id%3Dgenius.com%26app_version%3Dweb_0.0.1%26lib_version%3Dweb_2.1.3%26partner_uid%3D%24%7BvdzUserSyncMacro%7D&gdpr=0

https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.695.1_en.html#fid=goog_364936407about:blank