Brown Eyed Girl

Van Morrison

About Brown Eyed Girl

"Brown Eyed Girl" is a song by Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison. Written by Morrison and recorded in March 1967 for Bang Records owner and producer Bert Berns, it was released as a single in June 1967 on the Bang label, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song spent a total of sixteen weeks on the chart. It featured the Sweet Inspirations singing back-up vocals and is considered to be Van Morrison's signature song. "Brown Eyed Girl" has remained a staple on classic rock radio, and has been covered by hundreds of bands over the decades.  


Year:
1990
3:04
1,486 
#3

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Hey where did we go
Days when the rains came
Down in the hollow
Playin' a new game
Laughing and a running hey, hey
Skipping and a jumping
In the misty morning fog with
Our hearts a thumpin' and you
My brown eyed girl
You're my brown eyed girl

Whatever happened
To Tuesday and so slow
Going down the old mine
With a transistor radio
Standing in the sunlight laughing
Hiding behind a rainbow's wall
Slipping and sliding
All along the water fall, with you
My brown eyed girl
You're my brown eyed girl

Do you remember when we used to sing
Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da
Just like that
Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da, la te da

So hard to find my way
Now that I'm all on my own
I saw you just the other day
My how you have grown
Cast my memory back there, Lord
Sometime I'm overcome thinking 'bout
Making love in the green grass
Behind the stadium with you
My brown eyed girl
You're my brown eyed girl

Do you remember when we used to sing
Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da (lying in the green grass)
Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da (bit, bit, bit, bit, bit, bit)
Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da (sha la la la la la)
Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da

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Van Morrison

Van Morrison, OBE (born George Ivan Morrison; 31 August 1945) is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are described as transcendental, while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are critically acclaimed and appear at the top of many greatest album lists. more »

14 fans

Written by: Van Morrison

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Production
"Brown Eyed Girl" is a song by Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison. It was released as a single in June 1967 on Bang Records and later appeared on Morrison's debut album "Blowin' Your Mind!" released in September 1967.
Chart Success
It reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Morrison's biggest hit until he reached No. 9 with "Domino" in 1970. On the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at No. 60 in November 1967. However, it remained a perennial favorite and became one of Morrison's most enduring songs.
Initial Title
The song was originally titled "Brown Skinned Girl," and was intended as a nostalgic song about the singer's childhood and his interracial relationships. However, the title was changed to "Brown Eyed Girl" when radio stations in the US refused to play it.
Songwriting Credit Controversy
Despite its success, Morrison had a longstanding dispute with producer Bert Berns and his label, Bang Records, over songwriting credits and royalties. He claimed that he was not given the proper credit or compensation for the song.
Removal From Morrison’s Setlist
Despite its popularity, Morrison removed "Brown Eyed Girl" from his concert repertoire in the late 1970s, citing his displeasure with the way it was produced and his feeling that it didn't represent his best work.
Cultural Influence
The song has been covered by a multitude of artists and has appeared in many films, television programs, and commercials over the years, evidencing its lasting cultural impact.
Recognitions and Rankings
In 2000, "Brown Eyed Girl" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It is also on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll." In 2005, it was one of the top 10 most performed songs in BMI's catalog.
Morrison’s Personal Take
Morrison himself has often expressed ambivalence about the song, expressing disillusionment with the way it was recorded and marketed. Despite its immense success, Morrison feels it doesn't truly represent his artistic goals and vision.
Misunderstood Lyrics
Because of Morrison's unique pronunciation and Irish accent, the line "Going down the old mine with a transistor radio" is often misconstrued and misquoted.
Licensing and Usage Rights
Van Morrison does not own the rights to "Brown Eyed Girl." The rights are held by a company that licensed the song for use in a series of television commercials. Despite the song's popularity, Morrison earns no royalties from these commercials.

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    Brown Eyed Girl

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    338.8K     14,003

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1967

    Billboard #10


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