With his partner and wife, Cynthia Weil, they operate a publishing company called Dyad Music. His first hit as a writer was "She Say (Oom Dooby Doom)," which was a top twenty song for The Diamonds in 1959. Mann had co-written the song with Gerry Goffin. Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil met when they were both staff songwriters, they were married in 1961. Through the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Mann came up with songs such as "Sometimes When We Touch" and movie scores such as that for I Never Sang for My Father. Weil co-wrote "He's So Shy" with Tom Snow for The Pointer Sisters and worked on projects with Lionel Richie.
In 1961, they wrote and Mann sang a novelty song that made the Top 10 with "Who Put The Bomp", which parodied the nonsense words of the then-recently popular doo wop songs.
In 1987, he was inducted with his wife into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Brown-Eyed Woman
Barry Mann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not a man baby, all I am is what I symbolize.
Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
I could love you so, (no no) I could love you so, (no no)
brown-eyed woman I could love you so.
Um, um, um. All of the years all the hate and the fears
Now you turn away, you won't trust what I say
and it's tearing me apart.
Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away baby.)
Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
I could love you so, (no no) I could love you so, (no no)
brown-eyed woman I could love you so.
Yes, yes, I'm holding out my hand to you.
Darling tell me, tell me please what more can I do,
brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
I want you, I need you. (Stay away, baby.)
I'm holding out my hand. (Stay away, baby.)
I want you, I need you. (Stay away, baby.)
I'm holding out my hand. (Stay away, baby.)
I want you, I need you. (Stay away, baby.)
The song "Brown-Eyed Woman" by Barry Mann is a beautiful ballad about unrequited love. The lyrics convey the message of a man who is desperately in love with a woman with brown eyes. He is willing to do anything to prove his love and gain her trust. However, the woman is hesitant and does not trust him, possibly due to past experiences or insecurities. The man reassures her that he truly loves her and is willing to take a chance on their relationship, but she continues to push him away. The lyrics are emotional and heartfelt, capturing the pain and frustration of unrequited love.
The repeated line "brown-eyed woman (stay away, baby)" highlights the emotional distance between the lovers. The man longs to be close to the woman but she continues to push him away. The line "I could love you so" is repeated multiple times throughout the song, emphasizing the man's feelings of love and devotion towards the brown-eyed woman. The final lines of the song show his desperation as he pleads for her to take his hand and take a chance on their love.
Overall, "Brown-Eyed Woman" is a beautifully written song that captures the emotions of unrequited love in a poignant and heartfelt way. Whether it's the evocative lyrics or the soulful melody, this song is guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings.
Line by Line Meaning
You look at me and baby, all you see are my blue eyes.
You don't see me for who I am, just a physical attribute.
I'm not a man baby, all I am is what I symbolize.
I don't feel like a real person, just a symbol of something.
Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
I'm trying to resist the temptation of this woman.
I could love you so, (no no) I could love you so, (no no)
brown-eyed woman I could love you so.
I want to love this woman, but I know I shouldn't.
Um, um, um. All of the years all the hate and the fears
have twisted your heart.
Years of negative experiences have made this woman guarded and difficult to connect with.
Now you turn away, you won't trust what I say
and it's tearing me apart.
Her lack of trust is hurting me deeply because I want to connect with her.
Yes, yes, I'm holding out my hand to you.
Darling tell me, tell me please what more can I do,
brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
I'm still trying to fight the attraction, but I'm willing to make an effort to connect with her.
I want you, I need you. (Stay away, baby.)
I'm holding out my hand. (Stay away, baby.)
I want you, I need you. (Stay away, baby.)
Despite my resistance, I can't help wanting and needing this woman.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind