Song Clearance Sheet
5 sources citedBrown Eyed Girl
Rock1960s150BPM
G majKey
More around 150 BPM → · More in G major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →, Deezer →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriter of record (Van Morrison). His stated grievance that he has received no royalties for his own signature hit, and his documented conflict with producer Bert Berns, are presented factually as a complaint about contract terms — no confirmed filed lawsuit over this song’s royalties was found in this research pass.
Quick Facts
Released1967
AlbumBlowin’ Your Mind!
GenreRock, Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul
LabelBang Records
ProducerBert Berns
Recorded atA&R Studios, New York City
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — Van Morrison
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — Bang; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
One of the most-played songs in US radio history; closes this catalogue’s Bert Berns thread, connecting to “Gloria” and “Here Comes the Night.”
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriter(s) of record.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Van Morrison’s earlier band; same writer (this batch)
Bert Berns produced both; Van Morrison fronted Them (this batch)
Bert Berns thread (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Van Morrison
A royalty grievance — a documented complaint, no confirmed lawsuitPer Morrison’s own account, he has never received any royalties for writing or recording his own signature hit — a result of a restrictive Bang Records contract he signed without legal advice after leaving Them. No formal litigation specifically over this song’s royalties was found in this research pass; presented as a documented complaint about contract terms, not a confirmed filed lawsuit. No lyrics reproduced.
A documented personal conflictMorrison found his relationship with Berns increasingly overbearing; tensions peaked when Berns released Morrison’s debut “Blowin’ Your Mind!” without his knowledge or consent — Morrison reportedly only learned of it when a friend mentioned buying a copy. After Berns died Dec 30, 1967, his widow Ilene reportedly blamed the death on the arguments and barred Morrison from performing or recording with others in the New York area.
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A satirical contract-escape session
To fulfill his remaining Bang Records obligation and escape to a new label, Morrison recorded an entire album’s worth (31 tracks) of deliberately nonsensical, improvised joke songs in one brief session — one of them satirically referencing Berns’ production style and this very song. No lyrics reproduced.
Wikipedia (New York Sessions ’67) · read it →
A signature song’s lasting legacy
Featured backing vocals by The Sweet Inspirations; widely credited as the impetus for Morrison’s entire solo career.
Wikipedia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
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Times sampled
One of the most-played songs in US radio history
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
BG
Van Morrison (Bang)
The confirmed songwriter of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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References
Every source cited on this page — 5 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 19/20)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass