The Brook Brothers started out as a skiffle group in 1956, and after winning a local talent show, changed their look and sound to approximate the style of The Everly Brothers. They signed to Top Rank Records in 1960 and released a cover of the song "Greenfields" by The Brothers Four in 1960. The tune was a hit in Italy but attracted little notice in their home country. After a few more singles were released, they switched to Pye Records, and their second release, "Warpaint" (written by Howard Greenfield and Barry Mann), became a UK Top 5 hit. This song was also recorded by Bill Haley, among others.
Following the single's success they released a full-length album and toured with Cliff Richard and Bobby Rydell. They took part in the annual NME Readers' Poll-Winners Concert at London's Wembley Pool on 15 April 1962. They were produced by a young Tony Hatch, and made an appearance in the film, It's Trad, Dad. The Brook Brothers entered A Song For Europe for the Eurovision Song Contest 1962, but did not advance in the contest.
The group's popularity faded as The Beatles's sound became more popular, and they left public view by 1965. Their entire cache of Pye recordings was reissued on CD by Castle Music in the 1990s.
Hello Mary Lou
The Brook Brothers Lyrics
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Flashed those big brown eyes my way
And oh I wanted you forever more
Now I'm not one that gets around
I swear my feet stuck to the ground
And though I never did meet you before
[Chorus]
Goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou
I'm so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou
We'd never part
So Hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart"
I saw your lips I heard your voice
believe me I just had no choice
Wild horses couldn't make me stay away
I thought about a moonlit night
My arms about good an' tight
That's all I had to see for me to say
[Chorus]
The Brook Brothers' "Hello Mary Lou" is a classic love song about seeing someone for the first time and falling for them instantly. The song begins with the singer recalling the day he saw Mary Lou, noting how her big brown eyes caught his attention. Though he had never met her before, he knew that he wanted to be with her forever. This is a classic example of love at first sight, which is a common trope in literature and music alike.
The chorus of the song features the singer saying goodbye to his heart because he knows that he's in love with Mary Lou and there's no going back. The song describes how the singer's feet were glued to the ground when he saw Mary Lou, which is an indication of how strong his feelings were for her. The second verse talks about how the singer heard Mary Lou's voice and felt drawn to her, and even wild horses couldn't keep him away. He talks about picturing a romantic moonlit night with Mary Lou in his arms, which further emphasizes how deeply in love he is.
Line by Line Meaning
You passed me by one sunny day
You walked past me on a pleasant day
Flashed those big brown eyes my way
Your attractive brown eyes caught my attention
And oh I wanted you forever more
I desired to be with you for eternity
Now I'm not one that gets around
I'm not someone who has many romantic encounters
I swear my feet stuck to the ground
I was completely rooted to the spot
And though I never did meet you before
Despite not having met you previously
I said 'Hello Mary Lou
I greeted you with 'Hello Mary Lou'
Goodbye heart
My heart said goodbye, as it had fallen for you
Sweet Mary Lou
You are pleasant and lovely, Mary Lou
I'm so in love with you
I have strong feelings of love towards you
I knew Mary Lou
I had a strong feeling about you, Mary Lou
We'd never part
I believed we would never separate
So Hello Mary Lou
I greeted you once again with 'Hello Mary Lou'
Goodbye heart
My heart was saying goodbye again, as I am still in love with you
I saw your lips I heard your voice
I observed your lips moving and heard your voice
Believe me I just had no choice
I was unable to resist
Wild horses couldn't make me stay away
Even if external factors tried to keep me away, I wouldn't be able to resist
I thought about a moonlit night
I imagined a night with the moon shining bright
My arms about good an' tight
I pictured myself holding you close
That's all I had to see for me to say
That image was all I needed to confess my love
Sweet Mary Lou
A repeated expression of endearment towards Mary Lou
I'm so in love with you
Another repetition of my deep love for you
We'd never part
The sentiment remains steadfast, we will never separate
So Hello Mary Lou
And so I greet you once more, Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
My heart is still struggling to cope with the depth of feeling for you
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CAYET MANGIARACINA, GENE PITNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind