2000 Great Songs #1475: Big Brown Eyes

It's our second trip to the 1981 debut LP from The dB's, Stands For Decibels. And "Big Brown Eyes" could be the perfect transition point from late 70s skinny-tie power pop into 80s college radio jangle pop. Endless hooks and chiming guitars, though like all of the band's best work a steadfast unwillingness to keep it too simple, some sharp curves keeping it a little too unpredictable for radio. Which is a shame, as anyone stumbling across this track for the first time in 2026 would be perfectly justified in assuming this thing was all over the Top 40 at the time.

Live 1981:

2024 reunion gig:

Been a minute since we hit one of these, but here's yet another wonderful Matthew Sweet/Susanna Hoffs cover:

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