About The Song
Few artists in country music history have possessed the versatility and fearless artistic curiosity of Waylon Jennings, and his rendition of “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” stands as a testament to that spirit. Originally penned and performed by Chuck Berry, this classic rock-and-roll number found unexpected but compelling new life when interpreted by Jennings—an artist more often associated with the rugged twang of outlaw country than with Berry’s driving rhythm and blues. Yet, in Jennings’ hands, “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” becomes not just a cover, but a reinvention that bridges two vital strands of American music history.
When Jennings recorded the song for his 1970 album Waylon, he did more than pay homage to a rock-and-roll pioneer. He re-contextualized Berry’s sharp social commentary within the broader, more reflective style of country storytelling. The lyrics—originally delivered with Berry’s signature playful energy—gain a new sense of weight and texture through Jennings’ baritone, which imbues the song with both grit and gravitas. In doing so, Jennings underscores the song’s cultural undercurrents: its celebration of racial pride, its subtle critique of social injustice, and its insistence on the visibility and dignity of the “brown eyed” protagonist at the heart of the narrative.
Musically, Jennings trades in Berry’s uptempo guitar riffs for a steadier, more deliberate rhythm. His version leans into a country-blues fusion, drawing from the storytelling roots of both genres while keeping the melody faithful enough to recognize. The arrangement may be less frenetic than the original, but it pulses with its own sense of momentum—one that reflects Jennings’ unique ability to inhabit a song fully, rather than merely perform it. It’s this interpretive skill that made him a cornerstone of the outlaw movement: his music always sounded lived-in, never imitated.
What’s particularly striking about “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” in Jennings’ catalog is how comfortably it fits within his oeuvre, despite originating outside the traditional country canon. It’s a reminder that Waylon Jennings was not limited by genre so much as guided by authenticity. If a song spoke truth, if it resonated with real life, he would find a way to make it his own. In this case, he elevates Chuck Berry’s wit and charisma through a lens of country stoicism, creating a hybrid that feels as essential now as it did in the turbulent cultural moment of its original release.
In an era where genre lines are increasingly blurred, Waylon Jennings’ version of “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” remains a masterclass in musical interpretation—an example of how one artist’s voice can unlock new dimensions in another’s work. It is, like so many of Jennings’ recordings, rooted in tradition but unafraid to challenge it.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Flying cross the desert in a TWASaw a women walkingCross the sandThey been walking thirty milesIn route to L.A. to getA brown eyed handsome manThe destination wasA brown eyed handsome manMilo Venus was a beautiful lassShe had the worldIn the palm of her handBut she lost both her armsIn a wrestling match to getA brown eyed handsome manShe fought and won herselfA brown eyed handsome manWay back in historyThree thousand yearsBack ever since the world beganBeen a whole lot a good womenShedding tears forA brown eyede handsome manThat’s what the trouble wasA brown eyed handsome manBeautiful daughter couldn’tMake up her mind betweenA doctor and a lawyer manMamma told her daughterGo out and find herselfA brown eyed handsome manJust like your daddy isA brown eyed handsome manArrested on chargesOf unemploymentHe was sitting in the witness standThe judges wife called upThe district attorney said you betterFree that brown eyed manIf you want your job you’d betterFree that brown eyed manWay back in historyThree thousand yearsBack when ever since the world beganGot a whole lot a good womanShedding tears forA brown eyed handsome manThat’s what the trouble wasA brown eyed handsome man