In the beginning before there were classical orchestras, chamber quartets, … Read Full Bio ↴In the beginning before there were classical orchestras, chamber quartets, jazz combos or rock n roll bands, there was only one instrument: the human voice. Today, an a cappella quartet from the Twin Cities region, called Tonic Sol-fa, is determined to take this most traditional of all musical expressions and make it the next big thing. In their ten years together, Tonic Sol-fa has established itself not only as the most in-demand vocal group in the Midwest, but also as one of the most successful independent acts in America. In addition to substantial CD sales of its own independent releases (1,000,000 copies sold), the group has toured extensively throughout the US and abroad, first building its financial base with a steady list of private, corporate shows that led eventually to numerous tours of theaters and small arenas. Whereas previous a cappella groups have followed the traditional barbershop formula, Tonic Sol-fa has taken the a cappella musical artform to a new pop plateau, building a legion of loyal fans along the way with its solid material, pop arrangements, memorable performances and cutting edge stage presence. Critics and fans alike agree on one thing: Although there are many singing a cappella, NO ONE does it like Tonic Sol-fa.

Members:
Shaun Johnson - tenor
Mark McGowan - baritone
Greg Bannwarth - tenor
Jared Dove - bass

Albums:
On Top Of The World (Holiday) Compact Disc (2007)
Christmas DVD (2006)
Boston to Beijing Compact Disc (June 2005)
By Request Compact Disc (2004)
Red Vinyl Compact Disc (2003)
Sugarue (Holiday) Compact Disc (2002)
Style Compact Disc (2001)
Left Turns (re-release) Compact Disc (2000)
Carol (Holiday) Compact Disc (1997)
Left Turns in Cross Traffic Compact Disc (1996)
4 hours and 12 days Compact Disc (1995)

Video/DVDs:
Tonic Sol-fa: Christmas (2006)
Front Row (2001)

Brown Eyed Girl
Tonic Sol-fa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, where did we go
Days when the rains came ?
Down in the hollow
Playing a new game
Laughing and a-running, hey, hey
Skipping and a-jumping
In the misty morning fog with
Our, our hearts a-thumping

And you, my brown-eyed girl
You, my brown-eyed girl

Whatever happened
To Tuesday and so slow
Going down to the old mine with a
Transistor radio
Standing in the sunlight laughing
Hide behind a rainbow's wall
Slipping and a-sliding
All along the waterfall
With you, my brown-eyed girl
You, my brown-eyed girl

Do you remember when we used to sing
Sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah
Just like that
Sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah
La dee dah

So hard to find my way
Now that I'm all on my own
I saw you just the other day
My, how you have grown!
Cast my memory back there, Lord
Sometime I'm overcome thinking about
Making love in the green grass
Behind the stadium
With you, my brown-eyed girl
You, my brown-eyed girl

Do you remember when we used to sing
Sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah
Laying in the green grass
Sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah
Dee dah dee dah dee dah dee dah dee dah dee
Sha la la la la la la la la la la la la

Dee dah la dee dah la dee dah la
D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d

Overall Meaning

The song Brown Eyed Girl by Tonic Sol-fa is about youthful memories and the passage of time. In the first verse, the singer reflects on the happy times he spent with his brown-eyed girlfriend playing and having fun outside in the rain and mist. The rhythmic playfulness of the lyrics and the repetition of "hey hey" and "laughing and a-running" evoke a carefree sense of joy and innocence from the past.

The second verse shifts the tone slightly, becoming more introspective as the singer wonders about the passing of time and the memories that have faded. The use of the transistor radio as a memory device also ties the song to a specific historical period, conjuring the image of teenagers listening to music in the park. The image of slipping and sliding along a waterfall adds to the dreamy, nostalgic quality of the song.

In the final verse, the singer sees his old girlfriend and is struck by how much she has grown and changed. The memory of making love in the green grass behind the stadium reminds us of the pleasures of youth and the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia. By ending the song with a repetition of the "Sha la la la la la" chorus, the singer invites us to sing along and return to those happy memories with him.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, where did we go
Asking where the good times went

Days when the rains came ?
Remembering happy, rainy days

Down in the hollow
In a peaceful, secluded place

Playing a new game
Exploring new experiences

Laughing and a-running, hey, hey
Enjoying carefree moments

Skipping and a-jumping
Expressing childlike joy

In the misty morning fog with
On an adventure in a mystical environment

Our, our hearts a-thumping
Feeling the excitement of the moment

And you, my brown-eyed girl
Addressing a special someone with affection

Whatever happened
Reflecting on the past

To Tuesday and so slow
Thinking about how time seemed to move slower in the past

Going down to the old mine with a
Heading to a nostalgic spot

Transistor radio
Bringing along a portable radio for entertainment

Standing in the sunlight laughing
Enjoying happy moments in the sun

Hide behind a rainbow's wall
Feeling like everything is colorful and magical

Slipping and a-sliding
Playing and having fun

All along the waterfall
Exploring natural beauty

With you, my brown-eyed girl
Addressing a special someone with affection

Do you remember when we used to sing
Reminiscing about shared experiences

Sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah
Recreating memories through a familiar tune

Just like that
Easily bringing back memories

So hard to find my way
Struggling to navigate life

Now that I'm all on my own
Feeling lonely and unsupported

I saw you just the other day
Reconnecting with a familiar face

My, how you have grown!
Noticing changes in someone's appearance

Cast my memory back there, Lord
Remembering the past with emotion

Sometime I'm overcome thinking about
Being overwhelmed with memories

Making love in the green grass
Recalling an intimate moment in nature

Behind the stadium
In a hidden, private location

With you, my brown-eyed girl
Addressing a special someone with affection

Laying in the green grass
Enjoying a peaceful moment in nature

D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d
Expressing excitement with sounds

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Van Morrison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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