Formed in 1978 in Winston-Salem, NC, the original lineup of the band featured Chris Stamey (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Gene Holder (bass), and Will Rigby (drums). All three members had spent time in Stamey's legendary group, Sneakers. After relocating to New York, the dB's released their debut single, "(I Thought) You Wanted to Know," b/w "If and When" for Stamey's Car label. Guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Peter Holsapple, who had worked with Stamey in the band Rittenhouse Square in the early '70s, joined the band by the end of 1978. Holsapple and Stamey shared the songwriting chores during the band's early years.
The dB's were unable to secure a U.S. recording contract, so they signed to the British Albion label. They released two albums on Albion: Stands for Decibels (1981) and Repercussion (1982). Both records received rave reviews but little sales. Stamey left in 1983 to resume a solo career. Rick Wagner was added on bass but was replaced shortly by Jeff Beninato. With Holsapple fronting the group, they signed to Bearsville in 1984 and released Like This, a more conventional jangle pop album with strong country leanings. Bearsville's internal problems doomed the album despite its obvious hit potential. They eventually left to sign with I.R.S. Records in 1987, where they released The Sound of Music. The album managed to break the Top 200 and college radio support was strong. The dB's received some crucial exposure when they opened for R.E.M. on their Document tour in the end of 1987, but by the end of 1988, the band decided to break up. In 1994, Paris Avenue, a collection of demos for the band's never-recorded fifth album, was released on Monkey Hill.
Holsapple and Stamey reunited in 1991 for a duo project, releasing Mavericks later that year. Mavericks was the only album the duo ever released (although they have been working sporadically on a followup in recent years). Following its release, Stamey continued with solo projects; he also continued to contribute to the Golden Palominos, work as a sideman for Bob Mould, and become an acclaimed producer for bands like Whiskeytown and Le Tigre and artists like Caitlin Cary. Holder went on to join the Wygals and worked as a producer and guest musician for other artists. Will Rigby released one solo album, Sidekick Phenomenon, in 1985, and a second, Paradoxaholic, in 2002. He also joined Steve Earle's band as drummer. Holsapple joined R.E.M. as an occasional touring member in 1991 and formed his own band, the Continental Drifters, with then-wife Susan Cowsill. He went on to serve as a sideman to Hootie and the Blowfish.
In late 2004, the original lineup of the dB's reformed. They have been playing occasional shows while working on a new album, and have released a couple of new songs through their web site, www.thedbs.com.
The band's latest work is 2012's 'Falling Off the Sky', which has attracted serious critical praise. For example, 'The Chicago Tribune' ran an article stating that he release "sounds like the work of a band still very much at the top of its game." 'Falling Off the Sky' was created by the group's classic line-up of Peter Holsapple, Chris Stamey, Gene Holder, and Will Rigby,
Big Brown Eyes
The dB's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time I look into your big brown eyes
I get paralyzed, paralyzed
Every time you take a step down.
Every time I think about the thousand guys
Who want you, I realize
You give me something to think about
I'll give you something to live without
And you give me something to take the day away.
You give me something to think about
I'll give you something to live without
And you give me something to take the day away.
I can hardly wait for tomorrow
To come around, I won't be found
Every time you take a step down
Every time you take a step down.
You give me something to think about
I'll give you something to live without
And you give me something to take the day away.
The dB's's song Big Brown Eyes is a power pop classic, and the lyrics convey a mixture of love, desire, and paranoia. The song's narrator talks about his infatuation with someone with big brown eyes, who seems to be desired by many men. Every time he looks into her eyes, he becomes paralyzed, and he's constantly paranoid about her taking a step down and being approached by one of the many men who want her. Despite this, she gives him something to think about and take the day away, and he can hardly wait for tomorrow to come around.
The lyrics reveal a complicated emotional landscape. On one hand, the singer is deeply in love with the person with the big brown eyes, who seems to be the object of his desire. However, he's also deeply paranoid about losing her to someone else. The phrase "Every time you take a step down" conveys this sense of paranoia, as the singer constantly imagines the object of his affection being approached by other men. Despite this, the song is ultimately a celebration of the love between the singer and his partner, as the final verse reveals that he can hardly wait for tomorrow to come around.
Overall, "Big Brown Eyes" showcases some of the best qualities of power pop, with catchy hooks, harmonies, and an emotional intensity that's hard to match. The lyrics are simultaneously simple and complex, conveying a wide range of conflicting emotions. It's a song that's worth revisiting again and again.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I look into your big brown eyes
Whenever I gaze into your lovely eyes
I get paralyzed, paralyzed
I become speechless and motionless
Every time you take a step down.
Whenever you move away from me
Every time I think about the thousand guys
Whenever I ponder on how many men desire you
Who want you, I realize
I comprehend the competition for your affection
Every time you take a step down.
Whenever you move away from me
You give me something to think about
You provide me with things to contemplate
I'll give you something to live without
I will offer you something to do without
And you give me something to take the day away.
While you supply me with a daily distraction
You give me something to think about
You provide me with things to contemplate
I'll give you something to live without
I will offer you something to do without
And you give me something to take the day away.
While you supply me with a daily distraction
I can hardly wait for tomorrow
I am eagerly anticipating tomorrow
To come around, I won't be found
So that I won't be discovered
Every time you take a step down
Whenever you move away from me
Every time you take a step down.
Whenever you move away from me
You give me something to think about
You provide me with things to contemplate
I'll give you something to live without
I will offer you something to do without
And you give me something to take the day away.
While you supply me with a daily distraction
Contributed by Alyssa J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GeoffreyGentryMusic
For some reason, the first couple records got taken off Spotify. Shame, cause they're the best ones.
@duncanambrose206
Agreed. I like Like This as much as Repercussions, but I REALLY like those albums so I'm pretty bummed about it
@adams7775
"I can hardly wait for tomorrow to come around/i won't be found."
the way he sings those lines really gets to me
@2000madi2000
Immortal. These guys bring me East Coast Summer. <3
@rebjiii
dB's were one of the most under-rated bands of the 1980s.....too bad they never hit it BIG....this is one of my favorites: my other favorites are Black & white, Neverland, Bad reputation, We were happy there, JUDY , Espionage and Ask for Jill
@YourFavouriteColor
I can't believe how well written this song is.
@carl_valentin
We covered this song with our band in the late 80s. The audience loved it.
@giovanni80s79
Name?
@thekidfromiowa
No good song is ever long enough.
@lyonslaforet
The dBs were a great band!