Are we ready for a classic? Of course we are. It’s Van Morrison for Pete’s sake! You’ve heard it a billion times and sung its “sha-la-la’s” at the top of your lungs. It’s Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl.”
With one of the greatest pick-up lines ever in “My heart’s a-thumpin’ you,” how can you deny this bouncy, guitar-twanging diddy? The guitar’s melody and the whiny organ in the background set up the perfect contrast for Morrison’s nasally-yet-rough, almost slurry voice. The original “Brown-Eyed Girl” is a sweet song you can picture slick-haired, sweater-vested boys and bouncy-skirted, Mary Jane-wearing girls dancing to in the gymnasium at their high schools. You get nothing but good times and smiles listening to this song, especially with catchy lyrics and little claps here and there begging you to participate! It sure doesn’t hurt that I’m a brown-eyed girl myself!
Despite the fact that Everclear’s cover of “Brown-Eyed Girl” is what got me into the band in the first place (I heard the song on the speakers of a store and immediately bought Songs From an American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning How to Smile, the album that the song is featured on … It wasn’t until then did I realize that this is the same band that sang “I Will Buy You a New Life”), it’s nothing compared to the original. This band’s version is considerably slower as Art Alexakis and crew implement slower but bigger drums and an overall mellowed out vibe. Though the song captured my attention back then, I kind of laugh at the attempt. I’m fond of Everclear and respect that they implemented their own flavor on the song, but it pails in comparison. There’s only one part I love and I believe it’s because of the slow-down, and that’s the line “makin’ love in the greeeeen graaaaaaass.” That drawn out line just makes it more sexy than Morrison’s bouncy, almost child-like essence the original accomplishes. One more thing I don’t like about Everclear’s version? The music video is flipping horrible.
Click here for Everclear’s official video of “Brown-Eyed Girl”
I think this is an interesting cover; I have a love/hate relationship with it. I guess I can call it a guilty pleasure. It’s nothing compared to the original, but for some reason, I still have love for it!