Your Brown Eyes ('84 Demo Version)

Ed Hannifin

Get Flash to see this player.

Description

And then there's this version, which is different but I think has its own charms.

Johnny Katchoolik suggested to me that I get SoundSoap to use with my old, hissy tapes, of which I have many. This is my first try at cleaning up an old cassette, and to my ears it did a pretty good job. I boosted the level and added a little compression/reverb in GarageBand.

On this version:

Ed Hannifin: lead vocal and acoustic guitar
Phyllis Capanna: harmony vocal (high part, left channel)
Nan Donald: harmony vocal (middle part, right channel) and acoustic guitar

Leave a Comment

You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

Lyrics

Your Brown Eyes
Copyright 1984 Ed Hannifin

I sold my heart
For comfort and wine
Taken the low road
Too many times
Trade what’s to come
And what’s already been
If your brown eyes would turn to me again

You know my heart
You think you know my mind
You know my style
You think you know my kind
I’d write new lines
And let you guide the pen
If your brown eyes would turn to me again

If your brown eyes
If your brown eyes
If I could be the man I’ve seen in your brown eyes
If your brown eyes
If your brown eyes
If your brown eyes turn around

Why say there’s hope
If you can’t tell me how
Why say there’s love
If it’s not here and now
I’d trade the past
And all we did back then
If your brown eyes would turn to me again

If your brown eyes
If your brown eyes
If I could be the man I’ve seen in your brown eyes
If your brown eyes
If your brown eyes
If your brown eyes turn around

Song Stats

Hits: 3714
Comments: 57
Fans: 17
Plays: 735
Downloads: 122
Votes: 20
Uploaded: Apr 30, 2006 - 02:44:01 PM
Last Updated: Apr 30, 2006 - 02:38:11 PM Last Played: Nov 03, 2009 - 12:07:23 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

heartbreak (15), brown (7), eyes (24), ()

Comments

thetiler	thetiler said 1301 days ago (April 30th, 2006)
	Terrific Ed Lots of fun to listen to, sounds like a real nice job of cleaning up noise. Sounds like an orginal recording. A real pleasure Ed really! Thanks for posting this listening treasure. You have a very pleasant voice to listen to and loved the backup singing as well! Phyllis did a wonderful job. Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1301 days ago (May 1st, 2006)
	Terrific Ed Thank you again, Bill. Gotta note that the harmonies are Phyl AND Nan, and I agree, they did a nice job. I always loved what happened when they chimed in. Always made my quirky voice sound better, I thought. I'm still getting the hang of SoundSoap, but this is definitely an improvement over the ancient cassette... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Tadashi Togawa	Tadashi Togawa said 1301 days ago (May 1st, 2006)
	My eyes are scorching browns My eyes are actions of the chromosome, and scorching browns. I listened to your beautiful song by the ear. And, the pupil of my scorching brown watched your photographs. Check out my latest song called Mexican taste

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1300 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)
	My eyes are scorching browns Thank you for listening to this song, Tadashi, and leaving me your impressions. "Scorching browns" is a great description. Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Mcboy	Mcboy said 1301 days ago (May 1st, 2006)
	peter paul and mary is what this song conjures in mye head.......my mom used to sing those pp&m songs all the time....u guys are right there with them.......bravo.... Check out my latest song called Heros( aclarke/mcboy)

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1301 days ago (May 1st, 2006)
	peter paul and mary Your mom had good taste, Mcboy, as did mine...This is the sort of music I grew up on... I'm pleased you took the time to check out both versions, and leave comments on both. Thanks for the listen...As noted on the other version, I did submit this song to PP&M years ago... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 1301 days ago (May 1st, 2006)
	Wonderfully charming I like this version better. It is touching, your voice seems more centered emotionally yet more innocently vulnerable, and I like the harmonies in this one better. Thanks for going thru the trouble of fixing the recording as much as you did. It is wonderfully charming. Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1301 days ago (May 1st, 2006)

Wonderfully charming
Thanks, Tobin. I couldn't decide between the two. There's something in this
simpler version that I still love...

Even though it's a multitrack recording, I think we recorded it live, all playing
and singing together... I think some of the old Wheatstone Bridge feel and
interaction comes through...and I think it is a more natural vocal from me...

It's good to hear from you again, Tobin... I haven't seen you around much...

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

	said 1301 days ago (May 1st, 2006)
	I enjoy this one too I especially like the more intimate feeling of this version.

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1301 days ago (May 1st, 2006)
	I enjoy this one too Thanks, Mungo. I like this one a lot... It does have more of a down-to-earth, real feel... I appreciate that you took the time to listen to both versions. Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

selters

selters said 1300 days ago (May 1st, 2006)

Like this the most!
I gotta say that i like this version the most! Maybe it doesnt come as a surprize to you. I Think it has a great warm sound. And the harmonies are as wonderful as your vocals! The song itself is very beautiful, i am an even bigger fan of your work after listening to this song. It sounds to me that there is a lot more emotion and this version then the other one. But that could be just me :). It is just a great song!

Check out my latest song called So Far (Out Of Reach)

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1300 days ago (May 1st, 2006)

Like this the most!
Well, no, selters, that doesn't surprise me...

This one is closer to the production values that you like for your own stuff.
Simpler. More stripped down.

And I think I was closer to the song when I sang it. It was newer, fresher, and
I think I did do a better job on my vocal. And having Phyl and Nan singing
either side of me right then adds a different feel.

I continue to be as mystified as I am glad that you find something to like in
what I do. Thanks for listening to both, and letting me know what you
thought.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

composerclark	composerclark said 1300 days ago (May 1st, 2006)
	Lovely It's a lovely song, and, while both versions are very good, I very much prefer this one. It's a simple song, done simply but with dignity, the vocal delivery is honest and convincing, the whole thing just works for me. Interesting to have two versions done 20 years apart! Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1300 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)

Lovely
It HAS been a fun little horserace... the older version seems to be pulling ahead
here.. I couldn't decide which better represented the song, so I posted both...

So we're clear...this version was recorded in 1984... 'Simply Fine' was recorded
around 1989 to 1991... so there's a gap of years, but not that huge a gap...

Thank you for dropping by to listen to both versions. I appreciate that you did
that and left a comment.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Cori Ander

Cori Ander said 1300 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)

Wonderful
Wonderful tune! And I must say I dig a lot to great to hear these old
things. They carry moods that was. Moods I don't hear today. I feel
sure that we would have liked to play together if I'd know you by
then ... even if I didn't sing, just played the guitar.

By the way when you say your voice is quirky, I don't know ... original
yes, but what first and most strikes me about your voice is that it is so
warm and friendly. Not unlike mr Ringo Star's. (I dig some of his post
Beatle production because he sound so ... well ... like Ejh).

Johannes "Curry" Cori Ander

Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1300 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)

Wonderful
Well, Johannes, my friend, I am all about moods... If they ever needed
breeding
stock for a mood farm, I'd be right there, top of the list...

Yeah, I bet we would have gotten along well had we met back then. Trouble
is,
you could have made ME sound great, but what in the heck would I have done
to
keep up with you?

I'm glad you like my voice. I always think it sounds a bit odd. That's why I like
having harmonies around it much of the time. But I'll accept "warm and
friendly", I don't mind that being the impression that's left...And being
compared to Ringo...as I recall, he was able to make a living at his craft...

It's always cool to hear from you, Curry...

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Cori Ander	Cori Ander said 1299 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)
	Wonderful "A bit odd" ... well ... How would you have described the young mr Dylan? Would you rather sound like ... just someone by the dozen? --- /Johannes "Curry" Cori Ander Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

snowdragon	snowdragon said 1300 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)
	Took me back Ed For a few moments there, I was back in high school, sitting around somebody's living room on a cold, snowy friday night after a basketball game. Only . . . . . . her eyes were blue :) Check out my latest song called The Wolf 7

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1299 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)
	Took me back Ed "What is most specific is most universal." I like to think the sentiments expressed in this song transcend eye color... I do believe you got inside the song, there, dragon... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

	said 1300 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)
	Your voice... so mellow and textured here, Ed. I love the way you sound. This stuff from way back... it's like pulling out an old picture album... an audio slice of time. Irreplaceable. So glad you put this up.

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1299 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)

Your voice...
You know, it IS like that, Dadai, I think it's a valuable thing...

I actually LIKE the notion of leaving behind me, along with snapshots, digital
photos, and various memorabilia, some sense of who I was as a person, what
sort of emotional being I was. Gotta be worth more than a watch.

I'm really pleased that you like the way I sound, Dadai. Thanks again and again
for listening and letting me know what you think.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

snowdragon

snowdragon said 1299 days ago (May 3rd, 2006)

Your voice...
Just had to chime in here on a fascinating concept that hadn't occured to me
before.

Yes, the auditory photo album is indeed one of the things to grab as one
leaves the burning house, for want of a better metaphor.

cheers guys

---
When philosophy and reality collide, reality wins,
<a href="http://secondlife.com/ss/?u=523780b076305e8d810607813a3bec40">Snow Gretzky</a>

Check out my latest song called The Wolf 7

	said 1299 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)
	Very nice track it's amazing how the simplicity of the vocals guitar great lyrics can be so much more emotional. I love the vocal track. It's cool that you've held onto this- 1984 seems like only yesterday. Well done, Ed!

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1299 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)
	Very nice track Thank you for coming over, mikey. I'm glad you listened. It does appear that the simplicity on this track allows the emotion to come through. I'm real pleased that you like the vocals and the lyrics. Thanks again for listening and commenting. Much appreciated. Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

	said 1299 days ago (May 2nd, 2006)
	soundsoaped Hey Ed, looks like the Soundsoap worked well for you. The song sounds nice and warm, I want to cuddle with this tune. Good job with the singing, and very good harmony vocals. Nice demo, glad you saved it. Cheers J.K

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1299 days ago (May 3rd, 2006)

soundsoaped
So far, Johnny, the SoundSoap has worked very well indeed. Thank you for a
helpful recommendation.

I used the "enhance cuddliness" control on this one. Remarkably effective.
You don't realize it sometimes, but once the hiss is gone, you need to
increase the cuddliness to give that analog effect...

I'm pleased that you like the vocals. Thanks for listening...

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Bubowski	Bubowski said 1298 days ago (May 3rd, 2006)
	My vote is with this version too I like this version best as well. It's just a little more heatfelt for some reason. Soundsoap definitely does the trick doesn't it? I've been using it to recover those old multitrack cassettes stored in the studio. Anyway, another Ed Hannifin classic! Check out my latest song called Galaxy Band 8

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1298 days ago (May 3rd, 2006)
	My vote is with this version too Thanks, Graham. Needs mellotron, if ya get my drift. I guess this is an intriguing lesson for me in the values of simplicity... Yeah, I think SoundSoap and I are going to be best buddies... Ed Might even have to buy a turntable again... Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

J.A.Stewart

J.A.Stewart said 1298 days ago (May 3rd, 2006)

Fundamental Folk
I've listened to both versions, Ed and I do prefer this one for a couple
of reasons. First, it has the natural ambience of a performance I can
imagine taking place in a small coffee house, where I enjoyed playing
and listening to this type of music when I was first starting out;
Second, it does seem to be a more *honest* rendering of the lyric.

I suspect this is true because it's often difficult to be totally relaxed
when you are *on the clock* at a recording studio. In any event, your
style takes me back to a very pleasant place and I'm glad you are
providing this opportunity for others to share that experience. ;-)

--- Joe

Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1298 days ago (May 4th, 2006)

Fundamental Folk
So I'm sitting here going, "J. A. Stewart....J. A. Stewart... who IS that?..."

The names they do change, but the icon remains eternal....

Thanks, Joe.... I think this version is ending up the winner by a nose...
Perhaps I'll get better at cleaning up and enlivening these old tapes... I
appreciate you listening and leaving your thoughts/impressions as always....

Oddly, now that I come to think of it, we were more "on the clock" for this
version, which was billed hourly. The Simply Fine sessions were billed by the
song... I still think you're right, though... I think I was trying harder to be
perfect in the Simply Fine version...

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

UncleTupeloFan	UncleTupeloFan said 1296 days ago (May 5th, 2006)
	Love it! Wonderful tune, don't change a thing. I love how it builds and final chorus with the harmony vocals gives it a nice full finish. Left me wanting more. Thanks! Check out my latest song called A Sow's Ear

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1296 days ago (May 5th, 2006)
	Love it! Thanks, Uncle Tupelo! I'm glad you picked up on the build and the dynamics. I'm very pleased that you like it... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Einarus	Einarus said 1294 days ago (May 8th, 2006)
	Now: For my next trick, I'm going to summarize a whopping TWO comments on TWO tracks into ONE WORD! Ready? Beautiful! Pretty cool trick, no? I just love this song - both versions. That's all there is to it. Wonderful! Check out my latest song called Good Things Come in Fours

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1293 days ago (May 8th, 2006)

Now:
Thank you, Einarus. (I've never been good at those use-the-fewest-words sorts
of tricks...) I'm pleased to hear that you liked both versions. I continue to be
amazed at all that YOU do, so I'm happy that something I turned out made the
grade in Einarus-land. Thanks for the double-duty listening, and the elegantly
refined comment.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

MowMeDown	MowMeDown said 1290 days ago (May 12th, 2006)
	An oasis Precious as a spaniel's sweet breath. A real keeper. Check out my latest song called She's More To Be Pitied

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1288 days ago (May 13th, 2006)
	An oasis You're not going to believe me, but so far NO ONE has compared ANY of my songs to a spaniel's breath. Not once. Thanks for listening and commenting. I do appreciate it... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

	said 1263 days ago (June 8th, 2006)
	the test of time This passes the test of time. It is timeless longing. Voices have excellent timbre. Guitars are a little bit muddy but that's OK. Nice songwriting. Too bad you guys didn't rise to the top twenty-some years ago. Ah, but other important things transpired in your lives. Paths are what they are -- paths. Happy trials. Happy trails. It's all good. It's what it is.

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1247 days ago (June 24th, 2006)
	the test of time If things were different, Rich, things would be different. Change something in the past and I might not find myself gratefully a husband and father and a dozen other things now... Thanks as always for your musical visit and thoughts... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

	said 1247 days ago (June 23rd, 2006)
	I never actually... downloaded this. And seeing how I am stocking my new iPod... I had to come here. I simply love this tune. Jack

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1247 days ago (June 24th, 2006)
	I never actually... How cool! Thank you, Jack. I live in an iPod other than my own somewhere! Neat. Now I'm a REAL boy!...er, songwriter...or something... Glad ya came back... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Scott Carmichael

Scott Carmichael said 1245 days ago (June 26th, 2006)

exellent Ed
Simple.. gentle... this song and genre requires nothing more...
authentic folk, "If I could be the man I%u2019ve seen in your brown eyes" I
really admire the writing.. the way you frame the longing is very
effective...
and great songs always stay on message... this song is about one
thing... you know how some songs are all over the place, as if the
writer found a phrase that is clever, and never think about the direction
it has taken a song... you've kept the subject before you throughout

Check out my latest song called Good Morning

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1241 days ago (June 29th, 2006)

exellent Ed
Thanks, Scott.

One of the things I appreciate about what you do is your obvious appreciation
for getting the basics right, and for understanding the craft that underpins
the
art of songwriting. It shows up in your own songs, and it shows up in the
quality of thought that frames your comments.

I do try to do things like stay "on message" and not just bundle a collection of
cliches together and call it a song, so I'm grateful that you pick up on that
here. Your own work displays both art and craft in the best senses of those
terms, and so I take your praise with gratitude.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

ThroughRivers	ThroughRivers said 1242 days ago (June 29th, 2006)
	love it ive been listening to this song for weeks now,and its very very good,very warm,homely sound,me and my girlfriend like it very much,thanx for this beautifully made song.inspiring Check out my latest song called No Time

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1241 days ago (June 29th, 2006)

love it
I'm always happy when someone actually comes BACK to one of my songs. I do
try to write them to get into your head and stay there, so this is cool to hear. It
is also good when any of them passes the "girlfriend test" or "wife test", or just
"significant other" or "best friend" test... That's pretty neat.

I popped over to one of your songs this afternoon and was impressed with your
playing. I have to go back when I can listen more intently. You're quite the
guitarist. Thanks for listening and for such a kind comment. I do appreciate it.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

	spudblue said 1226 days ago (July 15th, 2006)
	love it Hi Ed, Murphy here, from way back when. How ya been? I almost remember this song... Email me (spudblue@aol.com) ifn you feel like it... Regards, murphy

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1224 days ago (July 16th, 2006)
	love it Good Lord, Bill. Welcome to MacJams. Glad you stumbled upon the place, and me in it, somehow.... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

	spudblue said 1218 days ago (July 22nd, 2006)
	love it the curious magic called "google" has brought me here. I haven't actually managed to make my computer play this song, but we're negotiating... so what's new with you? murphy

ginz111	ginz111 said 1237 days ago (July 3rd, 2006)
	Nice Really. It came out great Ed. Carl Check out my latest song called Sobriety II

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1224 days ago (July 16th, 2006)
	Nice Thank you for listening, Carl. I'm glad you liked it... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Sarutobi	Sarutobi said 1204 days ago (August 5th, 2006)
	Beautiful Song well written and professional i can tell uve been makin music fo a long time. Check out my latest song called How Could You Leave Me

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1204 days ago (August 5th, 2006)
	Beautiful Song Thanks, Sarutobi. I'm glad you like the writing... That would be a looooooooong time.... Or maybe it just feels that way today... I appreciate that you listened and left a comment. I hope you'll check out some of the others at your leisure. Thanks again. Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

	TidalPull said 575 days ago (April 25th, 2008)
	enjoyed it. It's been a long time. Does put me back a bit. Didn't we all have those longings sometime? Like the vocals in this one better, your voice seems more natural and comfortable, but the guitars, and Phyllis' backups were better and more equal to yours, in the newer version. Do you still play at all?

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 305 days ago (January 20th, 2009)

Sorry I missed this comment....
I don't know how I did. I have the feeling that I know you, but don't know how... Yes, I do play, although not out anywhere.... Although I'm being tempted by some open mics in the neighborhood...

'Tidal Pull'. That phrase popped up in an Aztec Two-Step song, 'mong other places...

Thanks for listening and commenting...

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

saymme	saymme said 308 days ago (January 17th, 2009)
	DL ThankYou : ) Lovely hearing this again...wow !!! Nelieve I heard all Your songs, had alot of dl before my computer crashed but thats history ! Really magnificent song, both Your vocals , both of You & the lyrics just make ya melt...with this wonderful guitar & music ...TX Ed Lena

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 305 days ago (January 20th, 2009)
	Thank you, Lena... You have been one very faithful listener, and I appreciate it. I'm glad you've enjoyed what you've heard. Continued thanks for listening to so many songs and always leaving a comment... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

MarkHolbrook	MarkHolbrook said 165 days ago (June 10th, 2009)
	Soap worked magic on this Ed. It's so cool so see this saved! Excellent song. Not sure which I like better, this or the simply fine version... It's like they are different and as you say each has a charm of its own. Beautiful! Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge

Lennon714	Lennon714 said 130 days ago (July 14th, 2009)
	I Love your voice. Custom built for emotional folk music like this. I'm jealous. The harmonies sound great, too. I'm glad I stumbled on your page... so much good stuff so far! Check out my latest song called Anarchy, Inc.

Fan List

Artist Info

Name: Ed Hannifin

Psychotherapist and long-time guitarist and songwriter ... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

More songs in Folk (contemporary):

Chat

bug67	56
ConnieO	3
crissew	4
Dadai.2	14
dj rocwell new acc	37
Ed Hannifin	54
elfdaughter	50
kchayer	0
MarkHolbrook	21
maxruehl	66
pos69sum	46
richardhowardjones	19
sewer rod	37
Sweet79	21
Vaisvil	2