They adopted their name in 1962 while performing together around Los Angeles, USA as part of a five-member group called The Paramours, which featured John Wimber (who was much later one of the founders of the Vineyard Movement) on keyboards.
Hatfield and Medley both possessed exceptional vocal talent, with range, control, and tone that helped them create a strong and distinct duet sound (and perform as soloists). Medley sang the low parts with his deep, soulful baritone, with Hatfield taking the higher register vocals with his soaring tenor. They gained their name when an African-American Marine shouted out "That was righteous, brothers" at the end of a show. John Wimber, one of the founding leaders of the Vineyard Movement, played the keyboard in the band.
Their first major hit single was "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" in 1965. Produced by Phil Spector, the record is often cited as one of the peak expressions of Spector's Wall of Sound production techniques. It was one of the most successful pop singles of its time, despite exceeding the standard length for radio play. Indeed, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" remains the most played song in radio history, estimated to have been broadcast over 8 million times to date. A little known fact about this song was that Spector utilized Sonny and Cher as back-up singers.
They had several other Spector-produced hit singles during the 1960s, including "Ebb Tide" and "Unchained Melody" in 1965 and "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" in 1966.
Soul and Inspiration was produced by Bill Medley for Verve Records. Phil Spector was not involved with this recording in any way, shape or form. Also, although it is credited to Phil Spector, Bill Medley produced "Unchained Melody". Medley produced the B-Side for the singles and Spector handled the production work on the A-Side. The A-Side for "Unchained Melody" was the single "Hung on You" produced by Phil Spector although it was the B-Side that ended up being the hit.
Brown Eyed Woman
The Righteous Brothers 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.)
In "Brown Eyed Woman," The Righteous Brothers sing about a woman with brown eyes who they desperately want to love, but who has been hurt so much in the past that she can't trust anyone. The opening lines of the song set the stage for what's to come: "You look at me and baby, all you see are my blue eyes. I'm not a man baby, all I am is what I symbolize." Here, the singer is admitting that he doesn't have much going for him, other than the symbolism he represents.
The chorus of the song - "Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)" - is a plea from the singer to this woman to keep her distance because he knows he can't give her what she needs. But he can't help the way he feels, and he continues to say that he could love her so. In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that this woman has been hurt in the past and her heart has been twisted by years of pain and fear. But he still wants her to trust him and to know that he's different. The song ends with the singer holding out his hand, saying that he wants and needs her, even as he knows that he can't give her what she wants.
Overall, "Brown Eyed Woman" is a song about the pain of wanting someone who you know you can't have. The singer knows that he's not good enough for this woman, but he can't help the way he feels. He wants her to know that he's there for her even as he accepts that he may never be able to give her what she needs.
Line by Line Meaning
You look at me and baby, all you see are my blue eyes.
I am more than just my physical appearance, do not judge me solely based on my blue eyes.
I'm not a man baby, all I am is what I symbolize.
My identity is defined by what I represent, not by my gender.
Brown-eyed woman. (Stay away, baby.)
The singer is cautioning himself to stay away from the woman with brown eyes.
I could love you so, (no no) I could love you so, (no no)
brown-eyed woman I could love you so.
Even though the singer is warned to stay away, he cannot help but express his feelings for the brown-eyed woman.
Um, um, um. All of the years all the hate and the fears
have twisted your heart.
The brown-eyed woman has been through difficult times that have negatively affected her emotionally.
Now you turn away, you won't trust what I say
and it's tearing me apart.
The woman is not willing to open herself up to the singer, and it is causing him emotional pain.
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.)
The singer is pleading with the woman to give him a chance and is willing to do anything to make it work, even though he is still aware of the risks.
I want you, I need you. (Stay away, baby.)
I'm holding out my hand. (Stay away, baby.)
Despite the warning to stay away, the singer still wants and needs the woman and is reaching out to her.
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 singer cannot contain his desire for the woman, despite being warned to stay away.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ETsonggalaxy
Rare videos by Bill Medley are so special! This song -" Brown Eyed Woman " should have had hit the top charts! Great song, and NO one can do this song better than Bill! He has such an UNUSUAL voice, so RARE , so beautiful! NO wander why he made fame , he deserves the Golden Hall of Fame, and Bobby Hatfield , his partner! Medley, Bill is remarkable!
@nallazander2575
Wow, what a distinct, strong, masculine, beautiful, soulful voice. I grew up listening to this rugged, macnificent voice!!!!Everyone loved Bill.........I can appreciate Bill's voice so much more as an adult!!!
@mrb4749
Bill is one of the greatest singers in music history. He's 83 or so still performing with Bucky Heard, I just know the concerts must be great!
@pghpookie
The smile on Darlene Love's face tells the whole story.....Bill's brown eyed woman.....
@drummerc1795
pghpookie yes and he kind of made it clear during that performance. This is one of the greatest R&B recordings ever for two reasons....Bill Medley and the Blossoms. Thanks so much for posting this. It's so good to see them together
@teedtad2534
During his time,. Bill Medley has the most powerful voice! The way he raised his pitches and drop down and any thing between! Bill Medley a very exciting person to watch! ," Brown Eyed Woman". One of his best!!! ...we love you Bill Medley! 🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼
@charleswoods6154
Beautiful Blue Eyed Soul! Beautiful song. Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield were way ahead of their time, so cool! Bobby left us too early. I loved their music!
@roseblake5803
No wonder Darlene is smiling so much, she knew Bill was singing this about her.
@weatherthestorm
I thought, I was the only one who thought that. Guess I am in good company.
@sharronfoxx69
Right!🥰