Brown eyes have always captivated me with their warmth and depth. There’s something undeniably enchanting about the way they reflect light, revealing an array of rich hues and emotions. As someone who finds endless beauty in brown eyes, I am drawn to songs that celebrate their allure.
Here, I’ve compiled a list of 13 songs that pay homage to brown eyes, each capturing a unique aspect of their charm. Whether it’s a soulful ballad or an upbeat tune, these songs resonate with me and highlight why brown eyes have inspired countless artists to pen their admiration.
Contents
- 1. “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” by Mint Condition
- 2. “The Look” by Roxette
- 3. “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle
- 4. “Brown Eyed Blues” by Ben Harper
- 5. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
- 6. “Good Times Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin
- 7. “Brown Eyes” by Destiny’s Child
- 8. “Brown Eyed Woman” by Bill Medley
- 9. “Brown Eyes” by Fleetwood Mac
- 10. “Brown Eyes” by Lady Gaga
- 11. “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
- 12. “Brown Eyes Baby” by Keith Urban
- 13. “Brown Eyed Women” by Grateful Dead
- Submit Your Song to This Playlist
1. “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” by Mint Condition
“Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” is a soulful R&B ballad by Mint Condition, released in 1991 as the second single from their debut album Meant to Be Mint. Written by band members Jeffrey Allen, Lawrence Waddell, and Stokley Williams, the song became the group’s biggest hit, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending 34 weeks on the chart. The song’s lyrics express deep emotional pain and longing, revolving around the theme of heartbreak caused by a lover with captivating brown eyes. The track features a blend of smooth vocals, poignant lyrics, and a memorable melody that has resonated with audiences over the years. Interestingly, the song has found a new audience on TikTok, where users have created viral clips using a pitch-shifted version of the track.
2. “The Look” by Roxette
“The Look” is a pop-rock song by the Swedish duo Roxette, released in early 1989 as the fourth single from their second studio album, Look Sharp!. Written by Per Gessle, the song became an international hit, topping the charts in 25 countries, including the US Billboard Hot 100. The song’s catchy and upbeat melody, combined with its nonsensical and playful lyrics, made it a standout track of the late 1980s. Despite its title, “The Look” does not specifically reference brown eyes but rather focuses on a general sense of attraction and allure. The song’s success helped establish Roxette as a major pop act globally. The lyrics, described as “positively ecstatic in their own meaninglessness,” were initially placeholders that Gessle never replaced, adding to the song’s quirky charm.
3. “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle
“Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” is a classic country song by Crystal Gayle, released in June 1977 as the lead single from her album We Must Believe in Magic. Written by Richard Leigh, the song became Gayle’s signature hit, topping the Billboard country music chart and reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s lyrics reflect the sorrow and regret of a woman whose lover has left her, with her brown eyes turning blue from crying. The track features a jazzy piano riff and Gayle’s smooth, emotive vocals, contributing to its timeless appeal. The song’s success earned Gayle a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and solidified her place in country music history.
4. “Brown Eyed Blues” by Ben Harper
“Brown Eyed Blues” is a soulful blues track by Ben Harper, featured on his 2003 album Diamonds On The Inside. The song’s lyrics convey a deep sense of longing and heartache, as the narrator reflects on a lost love with brown eyes. Harper’s emotive delivery and the song’s bluesy instrumentation create a poignant and introspective atmosphere. The lyrics explore themes of loneliness and the desire for reconciliation, with lines like “Why be with a stranger when you could be with your friend?” highlighting the emotional depth of the song. “Brown Eyed Blues” showcases Harper’s ability to blend blues, rock, and soul influences into a compelling musical narrative.
5. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
“Brown Eyed Girl” is a classic song by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, recorded in March 1967 and released in June of the same year. Originally titled “Brown-Skinned Girl,” the song was renamed to “Brown Eyed Girl” to increase its radio appeal. This track, characterized by its upbeat, calypso-inspired rhythm and nostalgic lyrics, became Morrison’s signature song and a staple of classic rock radio. The song’s joyous melody and catchy “sha-la-la” chorus, backed by The Sweet Inspirations, evoke a sense of youthful romance and carefree days. Despite its initial controversy due to suggestive lyrics, “Brown Eyed Girl” reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been covered by numerous artists over the decades, cementing its place in music history.
6. “Good Times Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin
“Good Times Bad Times” is the opening track on Led Zeppelin’s eponymous debut album, released in 1969. While not specifically about brown eyes, the song’s lyrics touch on themes of love and relationships, which can be interpreted as experiences involving a person with brown eyes. The track showcases the band’s pioneering hard rock sound, featuring John Bonham’s innovative drumming, Jimmy Page’s powerful guitar riffs, and Robert Plant’s dynamic vocals. The song’s energetic and raw sound helped establish Led Zeppelin as a leading force in rock music. “Good Times Bad Times” remains a fan favorite and a testament to the band’s early prowess and influence on the rock genre.
7. “Brown Eyes” by Destiny’s Child
“Brown Eyes” is a soulful ballad by Destiny’s Child from their 2001 album Survivor. Written by Beyoncé Knowles and produced by Beyoncé and Mark J. Feist, the song is a heartfelt ode to a lover with brown eyes. The lyrics express deep affection and admiration, highlighting the emotional connection and intimacy shared with the person. The song’s gentle melody, combined with the group’s harmonious vocals, creates a tender and romantic atmosphere. “Brown Eyes” stands out as a beautiful love song within Destiny’s Child’s discography, showcasing their ability to convey genuine emotion through music.
8. “Brown Eyed Woman” by Bill Medley
“Brown Eyed Woman” is a soulful track by Bill Medley, released in 1968 as a single from his solo career after the initial success of The Righteous Brothers. Written by the prolific songwriting duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, the song explores themes of love and societal barriers. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is deeply enamored with a “brown eyed woman” but faces societal challenges and prejudices that complicate their relationship. The song’s poignant chorus, “Brown eyed woman, stay away, baby,” reflects the internal and external conflicts surrounding their love. Medley’s powerful vocal performance, combined with the soulful backing vocals reportedly provided by The Blossoms, including Darlene Love, gives the song a deep emotional resonance. Despite its moderate chart success, peaking at No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Brown Eyed Woman” remains a significant piece in Medley’s discography, showcasing his ability to convey deep emotional and social themes through music.
9. “Brown Eyes” by Fleetwood Mac
“Brown Eyes” is a track from Fleetwood Mac’s 1979 album Tusk. Written and sung by Christine McVie, the song stands out for its hauntingly sparse arrangement and emotive lyrics. “Brown Eyes” is characterized by its minimalist instrumentation, featuring a steady, hypnotic beat, subtle guitar work, and McVie’s soulful, melancholic vocals. The lyrics are reflective and introspective, capturing a sense of longing and nostalgia. The song’s mood is enhanced by the ethereal production, which creates a dreamy, almost otherworldly atmosphere. “Brown Eyes” is a testament to Fleetwood Mac’s versatility and McVie’s songwriting prowess, offering a deeply emotional and contemplative listening experience that contrasts with some of the band’s more upbeat hits.
10. “Brown Eyes” by Lady Gaga
“Brown Eyes” is a heartfelt ballad by Lady Gaga from her debut album The Fame, released in 2008. Unlike many of the dance-pop tracks on the album, “Brown Eyes” is a stripped-down, piano-driven song that showcases Gaga’s vocal and songwriting talents. The lyrics express a deep sense of loss and yearning, as Gaga reminisces about a past lover with brown eyes. The song’s simplicity and raw emotion stand out, with lines like “In your brown eyes, I was feeling low” capturing the essence of heartbreak and regret. “Brown Eyes” highlights Gaga’s versatility as an artist, capable of delivering powerful ballads alongside her more energetic pop anthems. The song’s emotional depth and sincerity make it a poignant addition to any playlist centered around the theme of brown eyes.
11. “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
“You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” is a 1974 hit song by Canadian rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO). Written by Randy Bachman and featured on their third studio album Not Fragile, the song became a chart-topping success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian RPM chart. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a man who meets a captivating “devil woman” with big brown eyes. The chorus, famous for its stutter, includes the lines: “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. B-b-b-baby, you just ain’t seen na-na-nothin’ yet.” The stuttering was initially a joke mimicking Bachman’s brother, who had a stutter, but it became a defining feature of the song. Despite starting as a playful track, it resonated widely, becoming BTO’s biggest hit and earning them significant acclaim.
12. “Brown Eyes Baby” by Keith Urban
“Brown Eyes Baby” is a contemporary country song by Keith Urban, released on July 8, 2022. Co-written by Morgan Wallen, Josh Thompson, Rodney Clawson, and Will Bundy, the song captures themes of internal struggle, regret, and the hope for new love. Urban was drawn to the song upon first hearing it and felt an immediate connection to its lyrics and melody. The song’s narrative revolves around the emotional impact of a woman with brown eyes, symbolizing a potential new love interest who brings hope and inspiration. Critics have praised the song for its lyrical depth and Urban’s sensitive vocal delivery, noting its smooth, melodic groove that fits well with live performances. “Brown Eyes Baby” showcases Urban’s ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with his signature guitar work, making it a standout track in his discography.
13. “Brown Eyed Women” by Grateful Dead
“Brown Eyed Women” is a song by the Grateful Dead, first performed live on August 24, 1971, and later included on their 1972 album Europe ’72. Written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, the song tells the story of a family living in a rundown shack in a mythical place called Bigfoot County. The narrative focuses on the hardships and resilience of the family, with references to the “brown-eyed women” and “red grenadine.” The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and the passage of time, with lines like “Gone are the days when the ox fall down, take up the yoke and plow the fields around.” The song’s storytelling, combined with Garcia’s emotive guitar work and the band’s harmonious vocals, creates a vivid and poignant musical experience. “Brown Eyed Women” is celebrated for its lyrical richness and remains a beloved staple in the Grateful Dead’s extensive repertoire.
Submit Your Song to This Playlist
Do you have a track or song you’d like to feature on this playlist? If so, please fill out the form below for our evaluation.
Serena Whitfield is the founder of PlaylistCurator.org. She’s a musician who writes songs for bands. She studied music at the University of Oxford and graduated with distinction. With her expertise, she knows how to review songs and understand what makes good and bad music. Every playlist on our platform is approved by her before publishing to maintain top-notch quality. If you want her to check out your song and maybe get featured on our playlist, submit your song for Serena to evaluate.