Their debut album, "Everything Sucks" (1995), was an underground hit and led to a deal with Mojo Records (see also Mojo), an indie label. "Turn the Radio Off" (1996) established the band in the underground music scene, and they began touring throughout the USA. After the single "Sell Out" began breaking into the mainstream, including MTV, the album made an appearance on the charts. The ska revival was short-lived, however, and "Why Do They Rock So Hard?" (1998) did not lead the group to the mainstream.
Reel Big Fish released "Cheer Up" (2002) which began a movement into harder rock and pop sounds, with much less ska than the previous albums. The song "Where Have You Been?" was aimed at a wider audience, trying to drop the less popular ska sound, but was met with little mainstream success, despite the video. Their second most recent studio album was "We're Not Happy Until You're Not Happy" (2005).
They recently released "Our Live Album is Better Than Your Live Album" (2006) which includes 2 discs worth or their own tunes and a few covers of popular songs along with a DVD. They have worked on the soundtrack to BASEketball, which included a cover of A-Ha's Take On Me.
In 2006, they split from Jive records, who produced a "Best of" album against the will of the band, who could not prevent the release. The band has made a campaign to try and stop people buying the album.
Their 7th album "Monkeys For Nothing and the Chimps For Free" (2007) includes some songs that were previously recorded and released on other albums. It was also the first album with the band's new label, Rock Ridge Records.
In 2009, they released "Fame, Fortune, and Fornication" an album composed of covers of older songs, including "Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty, and "Nothin' But a Good Time" by Poison.
In 2012, Reel Big Fish released "Candy Coated Fury", which is their second album on Rock Ridge Records. This album was met with heavy amounts of criticism from fans and reviewers alike. PunkNews.org gave the album a 2/10.
in 2014, they released "Happy Skalidays", a holiday themed EP.
Their current release is 2018's "Life Sucks... Let's Dance!", which gained generally positive reviews from fans and critics.
Current members:
Aaron Barrett - guitar, lead vocals (1992–present)
Dan Regan - trombone, backing vocals (1994–present)
John Christianson - trumpet, backing vocals (2004–present)
Ryland Steen - drums (2005–present)
Derek Gibbs - bass guitar (2007–present)
Past members:
Ben Guzman - vocals (1992–1994)
Zach Gilltrap - keyboards/synthesizers (1992–1994)
Lisa Smith - guitar (1992–1994)
Eric Vismantes - trumpet (1994)
Stephan Reed - saxophone (1994)
Robert Quimby - trombone (1994–1995)
Adam Polakoff - saxophone (1994–1995)
Grant Barry - trombone (1995–1998)
Andrew Gonzales - drums (1992–1998)
Tavis Werts - trumpet (1994–2001)
Carlos de la Garza - drums (1999–2003)
Tyler Jones - trumpet (2001–2004)
Justin Ferreira - drums (2003–2005)
Matt Wong - bass, backing vocals (1992–2007)
Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1995–2011)
Brown Eyed Girl
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
You my brown eyed girl
Whatever happened
To Tuesday and so slow
Going down the old mind
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 my brown eyed girl
Do you remember when we used to sing
So I had to find my way
Now that I'm on my own
Saw you the other day
And my how you have grown
Cast my memory back there lord hey
Now I'm overcome thinking about
Making love in the green grass
Behind the stadium with you
My brown eyed girl
You my brown eyed girl
My brown eyed girl
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Your my brown eyed girl
The song "Brown Eyed Girl" by Reel Big Fish is a playful and nostalgic tribute to young love and carefree summer days. The opening lines, "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," describe a time when the two lovers first met, enjoying outdoor adventures and each other's company.
The next verse reflects on the passage of time and the changes that have occurred. "Whatever happened / To Tuesday and so slow / Going down the old mind / 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," suggests that the couple has grown older and gone their separate ways but still holds onto fond memories of their time together.
The final verse is a wistful reflection on past love and missed opportunities. "So I had to find my way / Now that I'm on my own / Saw you the other day / And my how you have grown / Cast my memory back there lord hey / Now I'm overcome thinking about / Making love in the green grass / Behind the stadium with you / My brown eyed girl," reveals that the singer has seen his former love again and is filled with regret over what could have been.
Overall, "Brown Eyed Girl" is a classic example of a song that captures the essence of youthful excitement and romance and the bittersweet nostalgia that comes with growing older.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey where did we go
Asking the question where they both went.
Days when the rains came
Referring to a time where it was raining and it affected their days.
Down in the hollow
The location where they were playing their new game.
Playin' a new game
Engaging in a new activity while having fun.
Laughing and a running hey, hey
Expressing joy while laughing and running.
Skipping and a jumping
Skipping and jumping around playfully.
In the misty morning fog with
Being in a foggy environment while having fun with each other.
Our hearts a thumpin' and you
Their hearts being happy and excited because they are with each other.
My brown eyed girl
Referring to a specific girl with brown eyes that he likes and is talking to.
You my brown eyed girl
Reiterating that he is talking to the girl with the brown eyes that he likes.
Whatever happened
Asking about what had happened in the past that affected them.
To Tuesday and so slow
Discusses when Tuesday was slow and why.
Going down the old mind
Experiencing and venturing through old memories.
With a transistor radio
Using a device to listen to music while reminiscing the past.
Standing in the sunlight laughing
Laughing while enjoying the sunshine.
Hiding behind a rainbow's wall
Enjoying moments of privacy and being behind a unique object, like a rainbow.
Slipping and sliding
Having a playful time while slipping and sliding through an area.
All along the water fall, with you
Having fun at a waterfall with the brown eyed girl.
My brown eyed girl
Referring to the girl with brown eyes that he liked and is talking to.
You my brown eyed girl
Emphasizing the specific girl with brown eyes that he likes and is talking to.
Do you remember when we used to sing
Asking if the girl remembers the times they used to sing together.
So I had to find my way
Finding his own way and going on his own path.
Now that I'm on my own
Presently being independent and not needing anyone's help.
Saw you the other day
Recently seeing the brown eyed girl.
And my how you have grown
Noticing the changes and the growth in the girl since the last time they saw each other.
Cast my memory back there lord hey
Recalling a memory from the past with the girl.
Now I'm overcome thinking about
Being overwhelmed with thoughts of the past and the girl.
Making love in the green grass
Recalling a time when they were intimate in a specific setting.
Behind the stadium with you
Another mention of where they were intimate.
My brown eyed girl
Referring to the girl with brown eyes that he liked and is talking to.
You my brown eyed girl
Emphasizing the specific girl with brown eyes that he likes and is talking to.
My brown eyed girl
Referring to the girl with brown eyes that he liked and is talking to.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
An exclamation emphasizing certain aspects of the story.
Your my brown eyed girl
Emphasizing the girl with brown eyes that he likes and is talking to.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Van Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
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