Brown Eyed Girl

"Brown Eyed Girl" is a song steeped in nostalgia, exploring themes of youthful romance, memory, and the bittersweet passage of time. On its surface, it's a joyful and celebratory look back at a first love. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of carefree days filled with laughter, simple pleasures, and the thrill of young love. The repeated refrain of "sha la la la" acts as a musical shorthand for these golden moments, capturing a sense of pure, unadulterated happiness.

However, beneath the upbeat tempo and sunny melody lies a deeper layer of wistful reflection. The narrator is no longer the young man in the memories; he is now "all on my own" and finds it hard to find his way. This contrast between the vibrant past and the lonelier present gives the song its emotional depth. The memory of "making love in the green grass" is not just a recollection of a physical act but a symbol of a time of uninhibited freedom and deep connection that now feels distant.

Interestingly, the song was originally titled "Brown-Skinned Girl," which suggests its themes may have initially included an interracial relationship, a controversial topic in 1967. Morrison himself has called the title change a "mistake" and explained the song had a "Calypso" or "Jamaican" feel. While he claims the change was almost accidental, it made the song more radio-friendly, though the line "making love in the green grass" still led to censorship by some stations. This historical context adds another layer to the song's meaning, hinting at themes of societal norms and forbidden love, even if the final version is more universally focused on the universal experience of looking back on a formative relationship.

The song unfolds as a nostalgic recollection of a past romance. The narrator looks back to a time when he and his brown-eyed girl were young and carefree. He recalls specific moments, like playing new games 'down in the hollow' on rainy days, their hearts pounding with excitement in the misty morning fog. These early days were filled with simple joys, like laughing, running, skipping, and jumping together.

He continues to reminisce about other shared experiences, wondering what happened to those slow-moving Tuesdays. He paints a picture of them going 'down the old mine' with a transistor radio, a common symbol of youth in that era. They would stand in the sunlight, laughing and feeling shielded from the world, as if hiding behind a 'rainbow's wall.' The imagery of 'slipping and sliding all along the waterfall' further enhances the sense of playful, uninhibited freedom they shared. The recurring, affectionate address, 'You, my brown-eyed girl,' anchors these memories to this specific person.

A key element of their shared past is the music they enjoyed, captured in the memorable 'Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da' hook. This nonsensical but evocative phrase represents the simple, joyful moments and the soundtrack to their youth. The singer repeats this line, emphasizing how central these memories are to his experience.

The tone shifts to the present, revealing a sense of loss and loneliness. The narrator admits that it's 'so hard to find my way, now that I'm all on my own.' This line introduces a bittersweet contrast to the joyful memories. The feeling is amplified when he mentions seeing his former love recently and noticing how much she has 'grown.' This observation highlights the passage of time and the distance that now exists between them.

This encounter triggers a powerful wave of nostalgia. He casts his memory back and is sometimes 'overcome' by the intensity of these thoughts. The most vivid and emotionally charged memory he recalls is 'making love in the green grass, behind the stadium.' This specific and intimate detail serves as the emotional peak of his reminiscence, crystallizing the depth of their past connection. The song concludes by returning to the 'Sha la la' motif, blending the joy of the past with the poignant feeling of looking back on it from a place of solitude, forever framing her as his unforgettable 'brown-eyed girl'.

"Brown Eyed Girl" was written by Van Morrison and recorded on March 28, 1967, at A&R Studios in New York City. The song was part of a two-day recording session for Bang Records, a label started by producer Bert Berns, who had previously worked with Morrison's band, Them. After Them broke up, Morrison was seeking a new record deal and flew to New York, where he hastily signed a contract with Berns. These sessions were intended to produce four singles, but Berns later compiled them into the album Blowin' Your Mind! without Morrison's consent.

The track was captured on the 22nd take and featured a lineup of esteemed session musicians, including guitarists Eric Gale, Hugh McCracken, and Al Gorgoni, bassist Russ Savakus, organist Garry Sherman, and drummer Gary Chester. The iconic backing vocals were provided by The Sweet Inspirations, a group founded by Cissy Houston (Whitney Houston's mother).

Originally, the song was titled "Brown-Skinned Girl." Morrison stated it had a "Jamaican song" or "Calypso" influence. He has claimed the change to "Brown Eyed Girl" was a subconscious mistake he only noticed on the tape box after recording. However, it's widely believed the change was made to make the song more commercially viable for radio in an era when interracial relationships were still taboo. The song's explicit lyric "making love in the green grass" was also deemed too suggestive for many radio stations at the time, leading to a censored version where the line was replaced with "laughin' and a-runnin', hey hey" from a previous verse.

Despite the song's immense success, launching Morrison's solo career in the U.S., the experience was fraught with issues. Due to the unfavorable contract he signed with Berns, Morrison claims he has never received any royalties for writing or recording it. This contractual dispute led to a difficult period for Morrison, especially after Berns's sudden death later in 1967.

While "Brown Eyed Girl" is lyrically direct, it employs several powerful images and metaphors to evoke its nostalgic atmosphere.

• The Rain and The Hollow: The opening line, "Days when the rains came / Down in the hollow," can be seen as symbolic. The "rain" might represent difficult or mundane times, yet for the young lovers, it's just another opportunity for "playin' a new game." The "hollow" suggests a secluded, private world they created for themselves, away from judging eyes.
• Rainbow's Wall: The lyric "Hiding behind a rainbow's wall" is a beautiful metaphor for the feeling of invincibility and idyllic protection that young love can provide. It suggests a world colored by happiness and optimism, where the couple feels shielded from the harsh realities outside their bubble.
• The Waterfall: The image of "Slipping and sliding / All along the waterfall" evokes a sense of carefree, joyful abandon. It's a metaphor for their uninhibited journey through youth, navigating its twists and turns with playful ease.
• Tuesday and so slow: The line "Whatever happened to Tuesday and so slow?" uses a specific day to symbolize the perceived slowness and simplicity of time in youth. As an adult looking back, those days seem to have vanished quickly, contrasting with the often-rushed pace of adult life.
• Transistor Radio: The mention of a "transistor radio" is a potent symbol of a specific era—the 1960s. It grounds the memory in a particular cultural moment and represents the soundtrack of their youth, a shared connection through music.

The predominant emotional atmosphere of "Brown Eyed Girl" is a complex blend of joy and nostalgia, creating a powerful feeling of bittersweet reflection. The song's upbeat tempo, calypso-inspired rhythm, and major-key harmony establish an immediate sense of happiness and youthful exuberance. This joy is reinforced by lyrics depicting carefree moments of "laughing and a running" and the celebratory "Sha la la la" chorus.

However, this jubilant mood is cast in the light of the past. The narrator is looking back from a present where he is "all on my own." This introduces a distinct undercurrent of longing and melancholy. The joy is not in the present moment but in the act of remembering a time that is gone forever. The line, "Cast my memory back there, Lord, sometimes I'm overcome," reveals the powerful, almost overwhelming, emotional weight of these memories. This fusion of happiness for what was and a subtle sadness for what is lost creates the song's signature bittersweet and deeply relatable emotional landscape. The emotion is not static; it shifts from the pure joy of the remembered scenes to the poignant reality of the narrator's current solitude.

"Brown Eyed Girl" is Van Morrison's signature song and has had a profound and lasting cultural impact since its release in 1967. It peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, launching his solo career in America and becoming a cornerstone of classic rock radio. The song's enduring popularity is staggering; in 2011, it was honored by BMI for achieving 10 million radio plays in the US, and as of 2015, it was the most downloaded and played song of the entire 1960s decade.

Its legacy is cemented by numerous accolades, including induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007 and its inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll." Rolling Stone ranked it No. 110 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

The song's timeless appeal has led to its frequent use in popular culture, appearing in numerous films, television shows, and commercials, which has introduced it to new generations of listeners. It has been covered by many artists, with notable versions by Jimmy Buffett and El Chicano, whose 1972 cover reached No. 45 on the US charts and was seen as an affirmation of the beauty of brown-skinned women, reconnecting the song to its original, albeit changed, title. Despite Morrison's own complicated relationship with the song due to royalty disputes, its cheerful nostalgia and infectious melody have made it a universally beloved anthem of summer and youthful romance.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Brown Eyed Girl" are fundamental to its catchy, pop-friendly structure and nostalgic feel.

Rhyme Scheme:

The song's verses generally follow a loose ABCB rhyme scheme, which provides structure without feeling overly rigid. For example, in the first verse, "came" (A) and "game" (C) do not rhyme, but "hollow" (B) and "jumping" (D, unrhymed) are followed by the assonance in "thumpin'" and "runnin'". The focus is less on perfect rhymes and more on creating a flowing, conversational narrative. The most consistent rhyming element is the end-of-verse return to the title phrase, "My brown-eyed girl," which functions as a lyrical anchor.

Rhythm and Meter:

The song is set in a 4/4 time signature with a moderate tempo. Its defining rhythmic characteristic is the calypso-influenced syncopation in the guitar part. This rhythm, with its pattern of two long beats followed by a short beat, gives the song a light, danceable, and uplifting quality that perfectly matches the lyrical theme of carefree youth. The vocal melody often follows this syncopation, creating a playful interplay between the lyrics and the music. The "Sha la la la" chorus is rhythmically simple and repetitive, making it an infectious and memorable hook that invites audience participation.

"Brown Eyed Girl" showcases a blend of musical and literary techniques that contribute to its timeless appeal.

Musical Techniques:

• Calypso and Latin Rhythms: The song is heavily influenced by a Calypso rhythm, which Morrison himself acknowledged. This is most evident in the syncopated guitar strumming pattern, which creates a buoyant, cheerful feel. The overall arrangement has a moderate Latin style, differentiating it from typical rock songs of the era.
• Iconic Guitar Riff: The opening guitar riff, played in major-chord harmony (thirds), is instantly recognizable and sets a bright, optimistic tone. This melodic hook, devised by session guitarist Al Gorgoni, is as memorable as the vocal melody itself.
• Instrumentation: The arrangement features a trio of guitars, organ, bass, and drums, creating a full but not overly dense texture. The organ, played by Garry Sherman, adds warmth and texture, particularly in the second verse and choruses.
• Vocal Delivery: Morrison's vocal performance is both soulful and relaxed, conveying a sense of fond reminiscence. The call-and-response with the background vocalists on the "Sha la la" hook adds a communal, celebratory feel.
• Simple Chord Progression: The song uses a standard and effective I-IV-V-I chord progression (G-C-D-G in the original key), which is a staple of pop and rock music, making it accessible and easy to sing along to.

Literary Techniques:

• Narrative Voice: The song is told from a first-person perspective, creating an intimate and personal connection with the listener as the narrator reflects on his past.
• Sensory Imagery: The lyrics are rich with sensory details that bring the memories to life, such as "misty morning fog," "sunlight laughing," and "green grass."
• Repetition: The recurring phrases "My brown-eyed girl" and the "Sha la la la" chorus act as powerful refrains, anchoring the song structurally and thematically, making it incredibly memorable.

What is the song "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison about?

The song is a nostalgic look back at a youthful, carefree romance. The narrator reminisces about happy moments with his former love, the 'brown-eyed girl,' contrasting the joy of the past with his present loneliness. It's a bittersweet celebration of young love and memory.

Was "Brown Eyed Girl" originally titled something else?

Yes, the song was originally titled "Brown-Skinned Girl." Van Morrison has said the song had a calypso feel and that the title change was a mistake he made subconsciously. However, it's widely believed the change was to make the song about a potential interracial relationship more acceptable for radio airplay in 1967.

Why was "Brown Eyed Girl" censored?

Many radio stations in 1967 considered the lyric "making love in the green grass" to be too suggestive for airplay. A censored version was released for radio which replaced the line with a less explicit one from an earlier verse, typically "laughin' and a-runnin', hey hey."

When was "Brown Eyed Girl" released and how did it perform on the charts?

The song was released as a single in June 1967. It was a major success, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and spending sixteen weeks on the chart, establishing Van Morrison as a solo artist.

Did Van Morrison make money from "Brown Eyed Girl"?

No. Due to a contract he signed with Bang Records and producer Bert Berns without proper legal advice, Van Morrison claims he has never received any royalties for writing or recording the song. This has been a source of frustration for him throughout his career.

Who played the famous guitar intro on "Brown Eyed Girl"?

The iconic opening guitar riff was devised and played by New York session guitarist Al Gorgoni. He was one of three guitarists on the recording session, along with Eric Gale and Hugh McCracken.

Who is the 'brown-eyed girl' in the song?

Van Morrison has never publicly revealed the identity of the brown-eyed girl, and it's likely she is a composite of past memories rather than one specific person. Some speculate she could be a girl from his youth in Belfast, while others have pointed to his first wife, Janet (Planet) Rigsbee, who had brown eyes.

What is the meaning of the 'sha la la' lyrics in the song?

The 'sha la la la' refrain is a non-lexical hook that represents the simple, inexpressible joy of the memories being recalled. It functions as a musical symbol of carefree happiness and is one of the most memorable and infectious parts of the song.