Brown Eyes Baby

"Brown Eyes Baby" is a song recorded and co-produced by New Zealand-born Australian-American country music artist Keith Urban.^[1] The song was written by fellow country music artist Morgan Wallen alongside Josh Thompson, Rodney Clawson, and Will Bundy.^{[2] [3]}

"Brown Eyes Baby"
Single by Keith Urban
B-side	"Wild Hearts"
Released	July 8, 2022 (2022-07-08)
Genre	Country
Length	3:44
Label	Hit Red Capitol Nashville
Songwriter(s)	Josh Thompson Morgan Wallen Rodney Clawson Will Bundy
Producer(s)	Dann Huff Keith Urban
Keith Urban singles chronology
"Nightfalls" (2022) "Brown Eyes Baby" (2022) "Street Called Main" (2022)
Music video
"Brown Eyes Baby" on YouTube

Background and release

Urban stated that upon hearing "Brown Eyes Baby" in January of 2022, he had a "visceral reaction," and "just loved it."^[4] He remarked, "Once I heard it a lot more, I realized it’s everything: it’s the lyric, it’s the melody, it’s the way the song is written. It just connected. It made a connection with me."^[3] He was unaware of who had written the song until after he had decided to record it, as the original demo was sung by Josh Thompson.^[5]

Urban previewed a clip of a live performance of the song from his tour on social media on June 29, 2022.^[6] It was released to digital and streaming platforms as well as country radio on July 8, 2022.^[7] Morgan Wallen took to Instagram to thank Urban for "doing [his] thing" with the song, adding that he was "proud to be a part of writing it."^[8]

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country reviewed the song favourably, calling it a "vocal and lyrical showcase." He added that the "right song found the right singer," noting how Urban's "sensitive touch" and " electric guitar" steered the song in the right direction.^[9] An uncredited review from 101.3 Real Country noted a similar subject matter to Urban's 2016 hit "Blue Ain't Your Color", adding that the song's "melody features a smooth, sway-a-long groove that’s a perfect fit for a live show.^[10] Buddy Iahn of The Music Universe stated that the song has a "beautiful, melodic chorus and a signature Urban guitar hook."^[11]

Live performance

Urban debuted "Brown Eyes Baby" live on the opening night of his "The Speed of Now World Tour" in the spring of 2022.^[6] On June 30, 2022, Urban performed the song live from the Rockefeller Center in New York City.^[7] He also performed it on NBC's Today Show that day.^[12] In November 2022, he performed the song on ABC's Good Morning America program.^[13]

Track listings

Digital download – single^[14]

1. "Brown Eyes Baby" – 3:45

Cassette – single^[15]

1. "Brown Eyes Baby" – 3:45
2. "Wild Hearts – 3:02

Personnel

Adapted from the cassette booklet.^[16]

• Adam Ayan – mastering
• Drew Bollman – mixing assistance
• Matt Chamberlain – drums
• Dann Huff – production, electric guitar, programming
• David Huff – programming
• Scott Johnson – production coordinator
• Charlie Judge – Hammond B-3 organ, synthesizer
• Zach Kuhlman – recording assistance
• Buckley Miller – recording
• Justin Niebank – mixing, programming
• Josh Reedy – background vocals
• Jimmy Lee Sloas – bass guitar
• Keith Urban – lead vocals, background vocals, banjo, electric guitar, production

Charts

Weekly charts Chart performance for "Brown Eyes Baby" Chart (2022–2023) Peak position Australia Country Hot 50 (The Music)^[17] 1 Canada Country (Billboard)^[18] 7 Canada Digital Songs (Billboard)^[19] 24 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)^[20] 10 US Country Airplay (Billboard)^[21] 11 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[22] 31

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Brown Eyes Baby" Chart (2023) Position US Country Airplay (Billboard)^[23] 34 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[24] 71

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Brown Eyes Baby"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[25]	Gold	500,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Brown Eyes Baby - Single by Keith Urban". Spotify. July 8, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
2. "Keith Urban Releases New Single 'Brown Eyes Baby'". 97.5 WPCV. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
3. "Keith Urban formed a deep connection with "Brown Eyes Baby" the first time he heard it". Country Top 40. September 20, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
4. O'Connell, Madeleine (August 19, 2022). "Keith Urban Recalls The Moment He First Heard 'Brown Eyes Baby,' Talks New Album, Taking His Family On The Road, and More". Country Now. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
5. "Keith Urban Releases Carefree 'Street Called Main' [LISTEN]". Everything Nash. October 28, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
6. Fisher, Kelly (July 8, 2022). "Keith Urban Releases 'Brown Eyes Baby' Following Live Debut". iHeart. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
7. ""Brown Eyes Baby": Keith Urban to debut his next single from New York City's Rockefeller Center". Everett Post. June 29, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
8. "Keith Urban Releases New Single "Brown Eyes Baby," Co-Penned By Morgan Wallen [Listen]". July 8, 2022.
9. Dukes, Billy (July 8, 2022). "Keith Urban's 'Brown Eyes Baby' Is One Heck of a Pickup Line [Listen]". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
10. "KEITH URBAN DROPS "BROWN EYES BABY" AS HIS THE SPEED OF NOW TOUR RAGES ON". Real Country 101.3. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
11. "Keith Urban releases "Brown Eyes Baby"". The Music Universe. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
12. Fisher, Kelly (June 30, 2022). "Keith Urban Shares The Funny Story Behind A Viral Video With Nicole Kidman". iHeart Country. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
13. "Keith Urban performs 'Brown Eyes Baby' on 'GMA'". ABC. November 9, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
14. "Brown Eyes Baby - Single by Keith Urban". Apple Music (Canada). Apple Inc. July 8, 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
15. "Brown Eyes Baby (Cassette Single - Clear)". UMG Nashville. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
16. Brown Eyes Baby (Cassette booklet). Keith Urban. Hit Red Records / Capitol Records Nashville. 2022. B0036636-24.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
17. . The Music Network. December 30, 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023.
18. "Keith Urban Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
19. "Keith Urban Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
20. "Keith Urban Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
21. "Keith Urban Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
22. "Keith Urban Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
23. "Country Airplay – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
24. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
25. "American single certifications – Keith Urban – Brown Eyes Baby". Recording Industry Association of America.