Turrentine was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District into a musical family. His father, Thomas Turrentine, Sr., was a saxophonist with Al Cooper's Savoy Sultans, his mother played stride piano, and his older brother Tommy Turrentine became a professional trumpet player.
He began his prolific career with blues and rhythm and blues bands, and was at first greatly influenced by Illinois Jacquet. In the 1950s, he went on to play with the groups of Lowell Fulson, Earl Bostic, and at the turn of the decade, Max Roach.
Turrentine received his only formal musical training during his military stint in the mid-'50s. In 1959, he jumped from the frying pan into the fire when he left the military and went straight into the band of the great drummer Max Roach.
He married the organist Shirley Scott in 1960 and the two frequently played and recorded together. In the 1960s, he started working with organist Jimmy Smith, and made many soul jazz recordings both with Smith and as a leader.
In the 1970s, after his professional split and divorce from Scott, Turrentine turned to jazz fusion and signed for Creed Taylor's CTI label. His first album for CTI, Sugar proved one of his biggest successes and a seminal recording for the label. He worked with Freddie Hubbard, Milt Jackson, George Benson, Bob James, Richard Tee, Idris Muhammad, Ron Carter, Grant Green and Eric Gale, to name a few. He returned to soul jazz in the 1980s and into the 1990s.
Turrentine lived in Fort Washington, Maryland from the early 90s until his death.
He died of a stroke in New York City on September 12, 2000 and is buried in Pittsburgh's Allegheny Cemetery
Brown Eyed Woman
Stanley Turrentine 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 Stanley Turrentine appears to be a plea to a lover with brown eyes, seemingly in a tumultuous and strained relationship. The singer seems to be explaining that he is more than just his physical appearance (symbolized by his blue eyes) but acknowledges that his partner may only be able to see him as such. He repeatedly refers to the brown-eyed woman and pleads with her to stay away, presumably because of the difficulties they have faced in their relationship. The singer acknowledges that the brown-eyed woman may have been hurt in the past, leading her to have trust issues and making it hard for her to believe his words. He reaches out to her with his hand, a sign of his willingness to try and make things work, but is met with resistance.
The repetition of certain phrases such as "brown-eyed woman" and "stay away, baby" emphasizes the intensity of the singer's feelings and his desperation to make things right. He acknowledges the challenges they have faced and how the brown-eyed woman's past hurts have impacted their relationship. Despite this, he still longs for her and wants to love her, but recognizes that it may be difficult given their history. Overall, the song portrays a complex and troubled relationship dynamic, leaving the listener to wonder whether the singer's efforts will ultimately be successful.
Line by Line Meaning
You look at me and baby, all you see are my blue eyes.
You judge me superficially and only see my physical appearance.
I'm not a man baby, all I am is what I symbolize.
I am defined only by what others think of me, not by who I truly am.
Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
I know you are trouble and I should stay away from you.
I could love you so, (no no) I could love you so, (no no) brown-eyed woman I could love you so.
Despite knowing the risks, I am still drawn to you and want to love you.
Um, um, um. All of the years all the hate and the fears have twisted your heart.
Your past experiences have left you emotionally damaged and it is affecting your ability to trust and love.
Now you turn away, you won't trust what I say and it's tearing me apart.
Your inability to trust me is causing me emotional pain and distress.
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 am trying to reach out to you and make things work, but I know it may be futile and that I should stay away.
I want you, I need you. (Stay away, baby.) I'm holding out my hand. (Stay away, baby.)
Despite the risk and the pain it may cause, I cannot help but want and need you, but I know I should stay away.
I want you, I need you. (Stay away, baby.) I'm holding out my hand. (Stay away, baby.)
I keep repeating these conflicting emotions and actions, torn between my desire for you and my fear of what it may lead to.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind