Written by Richard Leigh
Recorded by Crystal Gayle
Crossover Country Pop singer Crystal Gayle is well-known for three things: being the sister of Loretta Lynn, her iconic floor-length hair, and her huge hit “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” It’s a song of love-gone-bad, nothing new here at Best Bridges Blog, but there are a few things that make this song special. Starting with the title – a colorfly poetic and perfect metaphor. And while the bridge may seem standard in composition and sentiment, there is something a little more fun happening with this song.
We learn that our protagonist’s lover has left her for another and all she’s been doing is crying. We’ve all been there and we’ve all written songs about it.
Don't know when I've been so blue
Don't know what's come over you
You've found someone new
Don't it make my brown eyes blue
Clocking in at a little over 2:30 minutes, the song quickly gets to the bridge.
Tell me no secrets, tell me some lies
Give me no reasons, give me alibies
Tell me you love me and don't let me cry
Say anything but don't say goodbye
Ok, she’s asking to be lied to. The truth is too painful and she’d rather be oblivious than be alone. The bridge is her safe place for denial. Decent bridge, right?
But when we get to the third verse, our protagonist is no longer in denial, and comes to reveal some hard truths about herself. She accepts the blame for her actions. She treated her lover poorly and took them for granted. By the end of the song, her brown eyes are no longer turning blue because she’s been hurt, but because she’s regretful of how awful she treated someone she loves and she knows she's responsible for the end of their relationship.
The third verse of a pop song doesn’t often reveal new information. Frequently, the third verse is just a repeat of an earlier verse. But in this case, we not only get a nifty turn with the bridge, we enjoy a twist ending. Not a crazy twist, but not what I was expecting. What do you think? Leave a reply and don’t you leave my bridges blog blue!
Recorded by Crystal Gayle
Crossover Country Pop singer Crystal Gayle is well-known for three things: being the sister of Loretta Lynn, her iconic floor-length hair, and her huge hit “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” It’s a song of love-gone-bad, nothing new here at Best Bridges Blog, but there are a few things that make this song special. Starting with the title – a colorfly poetic and perfect metaphor. And while the bridge may seem standard in composition and sentiment, there is something a little more fun happening with this song.
We learn that our protagonist’s lover has left her for another and all she’s been doing is crying. We’ve all been there and we’ve all written songs about it.
Don't know when I've been so blue
Don't know what's come over you
You've found someone new
Don't it make my brown eyes blue
Clocking in at a little over 2:30 minutes, the song quickly gets to the bridge.
Tell me no secrets, tell me some lies
Give me no reasons, give me alibies
Tell me you love me and don't let me cry
Say anything but don't say goodbye
Ok, she’s asking to be lied to. The truth is too painful and she’d rather be oblivious than be alone. The bridge is her safe place for denial. Decent bridge, right?
But when we get to the third verse, our protagonist is no longer in denial, and comes to reveal some hard truths about herself. She accepts the blame for her actions. She treated her lover poorly and took them for granted. By the end of the song, her brown eyes are no longer turning blue because she’s been hurt, but because she’s regretful of how awful she treated someone she loves and she knows she's responsible for the end of their relationship.
The third verse of a pop song doesn’t often reveal new information. Frequently, the third verse is just a repeat of an earlier verse. But in this case, we not only get a nifty turn with the bridge, we enjoy a twist ending. Not a crazy twist, but not what I was expecting. What do you think? Leave a reply and don’t you leave my bridges blog blue!
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