1) The Browns were … Read Full Bio ↴There are three bands under the name The Browns.
1) The Browns were an American family singing group from Pine Bluff, Arkansas made up of Jim Ed Brown and his sisters, Maxine Brown and Bonnie Brown.
Country music singers, they sang individually at rural venues until 1954 when Maxine Brown, and younger brother Jim Ed, signed a record contract as a singing duo. Eighteen-year-old Bonnie joined the group in 1955, and the following year they were signed by Chet Atkins, RCA Victor Records producer in Nashville, Tennessee. The family trio recorded several songs that met with only modest success until 1959, when their 45 rpm folk single called "The Three Bells" was a no. 1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 pop music and country music charts. Based on a song called "Les trois cloches," the song was originally a hit in France for both the group Les Compagnons de la chanson and Édith Piaf.
The Browns followed up the success of "The Three Bells" with "Scarlet Ribbons" and "The Old Lamplighter," recordings that also did very well on both the pop and country music charts. With an international following, The Browns toured Europe extensively and recorded further moderate successes on the country music charts. In 1963, they became part of the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1965, Jim Ed Brown began working on a solo career, and in 1967 the trio formally disbanded. Jim Ed continued to record for RCA and had a number of country hits starting in 1965 while still with The Browns. In 1967, he released his first solo top 10 with "Pop A Top" which became his signature song. In 1970, he gained a crossover hit with "Morning" which went to number 4 on the country charts and number 47 on the pop charts. Other hits for Jim Ed included "Angel's Sunday"(1971), "Southern Loving"(1973), "Sometime Sunshine"(1974) and "It's That Time Of Night"(1974). In 1976, he released a string of major duet hits with Helen Cornelius starting with the #1 hit "I Don't Wanna Have To Marry You". Other hits for the duo included "Saying Hello, Saying I Love You, Saying Goodbye"(1977), "Born Believer"(1977), "I'll Never Be Free"(1978), "If The World Ran Out Of Love Tonight"(1978), "You Don't Bring Me Flowers"(1979), "Lying In Love With You"(1979), "Fools"(1979), "Morning Comes Too Early"(1980), and "Don't Bother To Knock"(1981).
Jim Ed has also hosted the syndicated country shows Jim Ed Brown's Country Place, and Nashville On The Road. On The Nashville Network he hosted the talent show You Can Be A Star, and the travel show Going Our Way which featured his wife, Becky, where they went traveling to different places in an RV.
Maxine Brown briefly had a solo career during the late 1960's releasing an album and single for Chart Records titled "Sugar Cane Country".
In 2006, the Browns reunited to perform "The Old Lamplighter" and "The Three Bells" for the PBS special, Country Pop Legends.
2) A horror-themed punk band. Formed in 1998, they played consistently for a year and a half around Western Canada, opening for The New Bomb Turks, Nashville Pussy, AFI, and Good Riddance. In the spring of 1998 the band self-released their first album "Getting Jiggy with The Browns". At this time, the line up was much different; Charlie - Guitar & Vocals, Emmett - Guitar, Leroy - Bass, Freddy - Drums and Lucy - Keyboards.
During the summer of 1998 Lucy and Emmet left the band, Freddy moved to Guitar and a new drummer named ODB began performing live shows, a new keyboard player was not sought out. Also around this time Charlie gave up his guitar duties and focused solely on lead vocals.
In 1999 Meter Records (Canada) released "Greatest Hits Volume One." Shortly after the release The Motherfucking Browns played what they said was their "final" show (summer of 1999) much to the dismay of both Meter Records and the Western Canadian music scene.
In 2000 Middle Man Records (USA) released a split 7" record with The Motherfucking Browns and John Q. Public. The Motherfucking Browns contributed a song from their 1999 album; "Lady, Stay Dead!" alongside a cover of "Bullet" a cover by the influential horror-rock band The Misfits.
2003 saw the release of Tony Hawk's Underground, video game for all major gaming platforms. Alongside bands like Kiss and Social Distortion, The Motherfucking Browns contributed a censored version of their song: "American Werewolf in Calgary". Tony Hawk's Underground went on to win several awards as a groundbreaking video game in 2003.
With the success of Tony Hawk's Underground a new website for the band was announced as well as a new myspace site. Both sites confirmed The Motherfucking Browns were performing with a new line-up: Charlie - Vocals, Eddie - Guitar, James - Bass, Joe - Drums.
2004 saw the release of "And Now the Screaming Starts!" on Meter Records (Canada). After much publicity, and several live shows in the Mid West USA, Horror High Records released their single "The Scream on Halloween" on their "Prom Queen Massacre" compilation, featuring other horror-rock bands such as Blitzkid and Calabrese.
After nearly three years of no activity Meter Records reported that The Motherfucking Browns have returned with the original line up that played on "Greatest Hits Volume One" (except ODB who had since passed away, and replaced by Chow Yun). In the fall of 2007 The Motherfucking Browns played a triumphant "comeback" show in their hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Performing alongside fellow horror rockers Forbidden Dimension. In an interview with Beatroute Magazine a new album for 2008 was announced.
The band is known for their abrasive stage shows, wearing Balaclava ski masks on stage, and songs primarily about horror movies. Charlie Brown is also a contributing writer for horror website www.killerfilm.com
"The best band in the fucking world, you fuckers!"
3) The Browns, a gospel-influenced band, exude excitement on the stage and offer a life-changing experience to all who hear them. The Browns deliver the powerful message of the gospel through word and song that engage audiences of all ages.
The Browns have been touring across the United States since the group began its full-time ministry nine years ago. The heralded group began on the local and state level and has expanded and grown into a national touring group.
This year The Browns received the prestigious honor of Top 10 Mixed Group of the Year for the second year in a row. The Browns will be attending the Singing News Magazine fan awards at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. “It started out with the Singing News magazine fans voting for the top ten,” Michaela said. “We had no idea we were up for this ward until we got an e-mail to tell us. We were up with some wonderful groups. This honor is very rewarding coming from the fans and knowing that we’ve touched their hearts or ministered to them in some way.” Previously The Browns had been awarded the Top Horizon Group of the Year for 3 consecutive years.
The group has finished their newest recording at the Sound Kitchen and Daywind Studios in Nashville, TN with Grammy award winning producer, Bubba Smith. ”A New Day” will be the Browns 10th national CD release. The newest single on the album has just climbed to #25 on the national radio charts. It is written by group member Jessica, and her fiance, Nick Trammell intitled “It’s A God Thing”.
Pop a Top
The Browns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've just got time for one more round
Set 'em up my friend
Then I'll be gone and you can let some other fool sit down
I'd like for you to listen to
A joke I heard today
From a woman who said she was through
I tried to smile and did awhile
But it felt so out of place
Did you ever hear of a clown with teardrops
Streaming down his face
Pop a top again
I think, I'll have another round
Another one my friend
Then I'll be gone and you can let some other fool sit down
All to me is misery
And here I'm wasting time
Cause a row of fools on a row of stools
Is not what's on my mind
But then you see her leaving me
Is not what I prefer
So it's either here, a drinking beer
Or home remembering her
Pop a top again
I think, I'll have another round
Another one my friend
Then I'll be gone and you can let some other fool sit down
The Browns' classic country song, "Pop a Top," is a poignant ballad about drowning one's sorrows with the help of alcohol. It's a song that many people can relate to, particularly those who are going through heartbreak or feeling down. The opening line, "Pop a top again," sets the stage for a story about a man who is seeking solace in the bottom of a glass. He has just enough time for one more round at the bar before he needs to move on.
Throughout the song, the singer reflects on his heartache and the woman who has left him. He tries to put on a brave face in front of others, but it's clear that he's hurting inside. The line, "Did you ever hear of a clown with teardrops streaming down his face," is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even those who are good at hiding their pain can't always keep it bottled up.
Despite his misery, the singer continues to drink, telling his bartender friend to "set 'em up" for another round. He knows that he's wasting time drinking alone at the bar, but he can't help himself. He's torn between his desire to forget his troubles and his longing for the woman who has left him behind. As the song comes to a close, he asks for one last drink before he heads out into the night, leaving behind the "row of fools on a row of stools" who are still drowning their own sorrows.
Overall, "Pop a Top" is a powerful and emotional song that captures the pain of heartbreak and the healing power of alcohol. It's a classic country song that has resonated with listeners for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
Pop a top again
Open another bottle of beer
I've just got time for one more round
I only have time for one more drink
Set 'em up my friend
Pour me another drink, bartender
Then I'll be gone and you can let some other fool sit down
I'll leave after this drink and someone else can take my place at the bar
I'd like for you to listen to
I want to tell you something
A joke I heard today
Something funny I heard
From a woman who said she was through
From a woman who said she was leaving her relationship
And calmly walked away
And left without any drama
I tried to smile and did awhile
I attempted to put on a happy face, but it didn't last long
But it felt so out of place
It didn't feel genuine
Did you ever hear of a clown with teardrops
A reference to someone pretending to be happy but being sad inside
Streaming down his face
Crying
All to me is misery
My life feels like constant despair
And here I'm wasting time
I'm spending time here doing nothing helpful
Cause a row of fools on a row of stools
People sitting at the bar seem like they're wasting their lives too
Is not what's on my mind
That's not what I'm thinking about
But then you see her leaving me
But then I think about her leaving me
Is not what I prefer
That's not my ideal outcome
So it's either here, a drinking beer
So I'm either here drinking beer
Or home remembering her
Or at home thinking about her
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nat Stuckey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Milton Moore
This is indubitably the "MOUNT EVEREST" of beer drinking songs. And
this is coming from someone who is not particularly enamored by them, which probably makes my declaration even more meaningful. Jim Ed Brown's
gorgeous, ultra-mellifluous tone and the beautiful melody and intriguing orchestration won
me over many years ago.
This gem was written by fellow Texan Nat Stuckey, who was born in Cass County, and attended Arlington State University outside of Dallas, from which I hail.
Nat unfortunately died from lung cancer aged 54 in 1988.
I scrolled down and found several other comments that I have posted over the years.
Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox
Here is Faron Young- "Hello Walls" I love this song.
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Patsy Cline- "Walkin' After Midnight"
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FLPTTTD3np4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Dorsey Burnette- "Cold As Usual" This wasn't a hit, wasn't even the A-side, but it really has that great Classic Country sound.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S7KrCj71qQ8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Bobby Cantrell
just beautiful and the video also
Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox
Well thank you VERY much for the compliment on the video! That is greatly appreciated. And yes, this song is fantastic. It's everything that's good about these older, classic Country songs from the lyrics to the singing to the music.
John Alley
Great Country music. It doesn't get any better than this.🤠
Matt Jahnke
I know. Real country. I didn't mind the 'outlaw" era, but this beats them all.
Hauntings With Hodge
Amen, cheers! 🍻
Casey Simpson
There was a bar in Yuma, AZ called Pop a Top. Never gets old. RIP Jim Ed Brown.
Oliver Hviid
This song has been on one of my playlists for just over seven years, but I don't think I'll ever get tired of it; Jim Ed Brown is just brilliant - the singing, the steel, the everything. It's just great country straight to the bone. Awesome stuff. Thanks for uploading this classic!
Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox
You're welcome and nice to get your comments! I really love that so many people respond to this one. I loved it after hearing it a few times and just thought I'd like to include it here among my favorites- as it turns out this is one of the songs I get the most comments on. That tells you how good this is.
Oliver Hviid
@Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox This is one of the first Jim Ed Brown songs I ever heard. I remember hearing it on the radio when I was traveling west across the states with my parents when I was very young, so it kinda stuck with me. He's a great singer in general though; he's recorded a lot of classics!
Jakeb Croy
Jim Ed would come over and sit with my grandpa and the rest of my family on the Sunday mornings to have hot coffee and sing songs for them. He was married to my cousin until his passing. RIP