Old 97's have been heralded as a great live band. They included five live songs as a bonus disc on Satellite Rides, and released a live double CD set recorded at historic Gruene Hall in 2005, Alive and Wired. Singer/guitarist Rhett Miller has released three solo albums and singer/bassist Murry Hammond released his first solo effort in April 2008. Ken Bethea plays lead guitar for the band and playing the drums/singing is Philip Peeples.
For photographs and additional information see the official website, www.Old97s.com.
Big Brown Eyes
Old 97's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the cherry burns the corner of the page that says
"The end is coming soon", but not soon enough
Restring all your guitars, pack up all your stuff
'Cause if Robert's dad is right
We might not make it through the night
And I'd hate to go alone
Well, a box of red and a pill or three
And I'm calling time and temperature just for some company
I wish you were here, I wish I was too
I'll drink myself to sleeplessness, I always do
You don't want me anymore
Since fame and fortune broke down our door
You don't give me no respect
What did I expect?
If that phone don't ring one more time
I'm gonna lose what's left of my mind
You made a big impression for a girl of your size
Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes
Her hands are cold, her breath is warm
She's a port in a storm
I'm worried now but it won't be long
It takes a worried man, you know, to sing a worried song
I've got issues, yeah
Like I miss you, yeah
And I wish I weren't so thick
I'm making myself sick
If that phone don't ring one more time
I'm gonna lose what's left of my mind
You made a big impression for a girl of your size
Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes
In Old 97's's song Big Brown Eyes, the lyrics tell a story of love and loss, desperation and fear, nostalgia and regret. The song is about a man who is reaching out to his former lover, hoping for reconciliation before it is too late. The opening lines describe a sense of urgency, with the cherry of a cigarette burning the corner of a page that reads "The end is coming soon". The singer urges his ex-lover to pack up all their things and leave with him, as they may not make it through the night.
The lyrics reveal that the couple has experienced some level of success, with references to fame and fortune causing a rift between them. The singer laments that his ex-lover no longer wants him, and wishes for the days when they were together. His desperation is portrayed through his reliance on alcohol and pills, and his constant checking of the phone for a call that may never come.
Despite their differences, the singer still holds a deep affection for his ex-lover and cannot imagine life without her. This is evident in the lyrics, "Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes". The song ends on a somewhat hopeful note, with the singer finding comfort in the fact that his ex-lover is a "port in a storm".
Overall, the lyrics of Big Brown Eyes are both melancholy and memorable. Through the use of vivid imagery and raw emotion, the songwriter has created a song that speaks to the universal themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
Big brown eyes and a gust of wind
The singer is describing the physical appearance of a girl he is attracted to.
And the cherry burns the corner of the page that says
"The end is coming soon", but not soon enough
Despite knowing that their relationship may not last, the singer wishes it would end sooner to relieve his pain.
Restring all your guitars, pack up all your stuff
The singer prepares to leave with the girl should their relationship come to an end.
'Cause if Robert's dad is right
We might not make it through the night
And I'd hate to go alone
Please pick up the phone
The singer feels the relationship is in danger and pleads for the girl to stay with him.
Well, a box of red and a pill or three
And I'm calling time and temperature just for some company
The singer turns to alcohol and pills for comfort and calls random numbers for someone to talk to.
I wish you were here, I wish I was too
I'll drink myself to sleeplessness, I always do
The singer wishes the girl was with him and knows he'll struggle to sleep without her.
You don't want me anymore
Since fame and fortune broke down our door
You don't give me no respect
What did I expect?
The girl no longer desires the singer after becoming famous, leaving him feeling disrespected and used.
If that phone don't ring one more time
I'm gonna lose what's left of my mind
You made a big impression for a girl of your size
Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes
The singer hopes the girl will call him or he may lose his sanity. He acknowledges that her appearance and personality have made a huge impression on him and he can't imagine life without her.
Her hands are cold, her breath is warm
She's a port in a storm
I'm worried now but it won't be long
It takes a worried man, you know, to sing a worried song
The singer finds comfort in the girl, who serves as a safe haven during difficult times. He's worried about the relationship, but knows it won't last forever. He believes that those who express worry must have something to worry about.
I've got issues, yeah
Like I miss you, yeah
And I wish I weren't so thick
I'm making myself sick
The singer admits to having problems, including missing the girl and not being able to understand her feelings. His love for her is causing him anguish.
If that phone don't ring one more time
I'm gonna lose what's left of my mind
You made a big impression for a girl of your size
Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes
Repeating the chorus, the singer emphasizes his feelings and the importance of the girl's influence on his life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RHETT MILLER, MURRY HAMMOND, PHILIP WAYNE PEEPLES, KENDALL DEWAYNE BETHEA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind