The Impressions were an American music group from Chicago, Illinois, active… Read Full Bio ↴The Impressions were an American music group from Chicago, Illinois, active from 1958 until 1983, whose repertoire included doo-wop, gospel, soul, and R&B.

The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago, Illinois and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their lineup to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash before the group's demise in 1983.

Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement.

Personnel:
Jerry Butler (1958 - 1960)
Curtis Mayfield (1958 - 1970)
Sam Gooden (1958 - 1983)
Arthur Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Richard Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Fred Cash (1960 - 1983)
Leroy Hutson (1970 - 1973)
Ralph Johnson (1973 - 1976)
Nate Evans (1976 - 1979)
Reggie Torian (1973 - 1983)

Discography

Albums
1963: The Impressions
1964: Keep on Pushing
1964: The Never Ending Impressions
1965: One by One
1965: People Get Ready
1966: Ridin' High
1967: The Fabulous Impressions
1968: We're a Winner
1968: This Is My Country
1969: The Young Mods' Forgotten Story
1969: The Versatile Impressions
1969: Amen
1970: Check out Your Mind!
1972: Times Have Changed
1973: Preacher Man
1974: Finally Got Myself Together
1974: Three the Hard Way
1975: First Impressions
1975: Sooner or Later
1976: It's About Time
1976: Originals
1976: Loving Power
1979: Come to My Party
1981: Fan the Fire

Little Brown Boy
The Impressions Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Little brown boy with your eyes so wide
Your Daddy's joy and your Mama's pride
Now all candles burning, are just for you
But when you go out into the world
You'll be missing quite a few child

They say there's no heat
Though the Sun is so bright now

And out in the street, you're not protected late at night
But there's a candle burning
Every night when you're away
And don't forget to mind your Mom
And get on your knees and pray every day
You better believe me now

Little brown boy with your eyes so wide
Your Daddy's joy and your Mama's pride
Now all candles burning, are just for you
And remember baby
We send our love, to you

Woo whoo whoo ooh

Woo whoo whoo ooh
Woo whoo whoo ooh

Overall Meaning

The Impressions' "Little Brown Boy" is a poignant and heartfelt ode to a young boy's innocence and the parental love and guidance he will need to navigate the difficulties of life. The lyrics speak to the hopes and fears of parents as they raise their children, with the titular "little brown boy" representing all children who will one day leave the safety of their homes and face the world alone.

The first verse focusses on the child's place in his family, bringing to light the pride and joy he brings to his parents. The second verse is where the song takes on a more somber tone, with the lyrics alluding to the dangers that exist outside the safe haven of the home. The mention of candles burning now being just for him is a reference to the hopes and dreams his parents have for him, while the line "when you go out into the world, you'll be missing quite a few child" hints at the harsh realities that await him.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the love and support the child will always have from his family. It's a message of hope that reassures the young boy, and through him, all listeners, that even when times are tough, the people who love us will always be there to send their love.

Line by Line Meaning

Little brown boy with your eyes so wide
Addressing a young boy with bright and expressive eyes, who also happens to have brown skin color.

Your Daddy's joy and your Mama's pride
Both of your parents very much love and cherish you.

Now all candles burning, are just for you
The child is the center of attention and the reason why all candles are lit.

But when you go out into the world
However, when you step into the outside world

You'll be missing quite a few child
A warning that the child will encounter situations where anything they previously took for granted will be absent.

They say there's no heat
People may claim that there isn't any danger around, but this is far from the truth.

Though the Sun is so bright now
Despite the Sun shining brightly and the pleasant weather, there may still be perils lurking.

And out in the street, you're not protected late at night
When venturing out after dark, being alone can make one an easy target for harm.

But there's a candle burning
At home, when the child is away, there is at least one candle lit.

Every night when you're away
Implying that the lamp is only lit when the child is not present.

And don't forget to mind your Mom
The mother needs the child's respect and attention too.

And get on your knees and pray every day
Make sure you say your prayers every day to ensure safety and guidance.

You better believe me now
This advice is to be taken with utter certainty and urgency.

And remember baby
The final piece of advice is directed at the young listeners.

We send our love, to you
Despite everything that may happen, the parents' love for the child is unconditional and always present.

Woo whoo whoo ooh
Vocalizations and background music.

Contributed by Hannah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.