Doctor, My Eyes
"Doctor, My Eyes" | ||||
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Single by Jackson Browne | ||||
from the album Jackson Browne | ||||
B-side | "Looking Into You" | |||
Released | March 1972 | |||
Recorded | 1971 | |||
Genre | Soft rock | |||
Length | 3:11 (Album Version) 2:55 (Single Version) | |||
Label | Asylum | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jackson Browne | |||
Producer(s) |
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Jackson Browne singles chronology | ||||
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"Doctor, My Eyes" is a 1972 song written and performed by Jackson Browne and included on his debut album Jackson Browne. Featuring a combination of an upbeat piano riff coupled with lyrics about feeling world-weary, the song was a surprise hit, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in spring 1972, after debuting on the chart at number 80. Browne would not see the chart's Top 10 again until 1982's soundtrack hit "Somebody's Baby", although "Running on Empty" just missed the Top 10, reaching number 11.[1][2][3] Billboard ranked "Doctor My Eyes" as the No. 92 song for 1972. In Canada, the song peaked at number four.[4]
Jesse Ed Davis played the electric guitar (including a much-lauded solo) in the track, while David Crosby and Graham Nash sang backing vocals. Russ Kunkel played drums[2] and Leland Sklar played bass.[5] Kunkel and Sklar reunited with Browne in May 2021 to rerecord "Doctor My Eyes" for a charity project.[6]
"Doctor, My Eyes" became a concert mainstay for Browne, and was included on both his later compilation albums. A live version can be found on the 1996 Australia CD release Best of... Live, a double set with Looking East, and the 1997 Japan 2-CD release of Best of... Live, coupled with The Next Voice You Hear: The Best of Jackson Browne.[7]
History
William Ruhlmann on
In part 1 of the 2013 documentary
Reception
Jeff Walker, in his review of Browne's debut album for Phonograph Record magazine in 1972, wrote that "Doctor My Eyes" is one of a number of tracks on the album that "deal with a spiritual search; no preaching, no conclusions, just searching."
Ruhlmann on Allmusic called it "a rollicking pop/rock song about being almost terminally burnt out."[2]
Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated it as Browne's 7th greatest song, saying that "it's a little heavy-handed, as far as the sentiment goes...but it sets the template for almost every Top 10 Jackson Browne song."[11] Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated it as Browne's 10th greatest song.[12]
Chart performance
Chart (1972) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada RPM Top Singles [4] | 4 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100
|
8 |
U.S. Cashbox Top 100 | 12 |
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening | 18 |
Cover versions
The Jackson 5 recorded "Doctor My Eyes" for inclusion on their sixth album Lookin' Through the Windows, released in 1972.[13] Their version was also released as a single. It did not chart in the US, but went top 10 in the UK peaking at #9.[14]
References
- ^ Billboard.com. Jackson Browne Chart History. Accessed 2012-07-18.
- ^ a b c d Ruhlmann, William. "Doctor My Eyes - Jackson Browne | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel. Billboard Hot 100 Charts - The Seventies. Wisconsin: Record Research, 1990.
- ^ a b Canada, Library and Archives (July 17, 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
- ^ Johnson, Kevin (2013-03-07). "Stories Behind the Songs: Leland Sklar". No Treble. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ Dresdale, Andrea. "Jackson Browne re-records "Doctor My Eyes" for a charity project". The Voice of LaSalle County since 1952!. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ "Jackson Browne Complete Discography". jrp-graphics.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-25. Retrieved 2012-07-13.
- ^ "Jackson Browne - Saturate Before Using". Superseventies.com. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. March 4, 1972. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ Record World staff (March 4, 1972). "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ Gallucci, Michael (October 9, 2012). "Top 10 Jackson Browne songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ Kachejian, Brian. "Top 10 Jackson Browne Songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ "www.officialcharts". officialcharts.com. Retrieved April 17, 2024.