fripodding and remembering: “doctor, my eyes” by the jackson five

A year ago we suddenly and tragically lost one of the best entertainers of our time. Rather than come up with the best of my favorites or a bunch of popular music videos we’ve all enjoyed over the years, I decided to talk about the most recent song I’ve never heard but love.

And this song goes back to Michael’s Jackson 5 days. It’s called “Doctor, My Eyes” and is originally by Jackson Browne. Sadly, I’m not really that familiar with his work, but I listened to his version and I prefer Jackson 5’s. But that’s probably expected, since I’m sure many might agree that whoever you heard first, probably did it best. No need to pull out a chart of examples that oppose this theory, I have a chart of my own exceptions. But for this case, I like their cover over the original.

I first heard this song while listening to a bunch of This American Life podcasts. I couldn’t tell you what the subject was, but this was playing in the background and I was like… “That song sounds awesome!” I think I typed in the lyrics I could make out, starting my investigation. Long story short, I found it and it had been on repeat for a while. I try to include it in a few playlists I make, because of that funky, up-tempo funness.

As for the story it tells, well, it isn’t as happy and fun. At first I thought it was another “love lost” song, but then after listening and reading lyrics, I thought it was a reflection on society. Songfacts.com wasn’t really much help, to be honest, saying the man is realizing it’s too late him and hopes the doctor can help. So I’d say we are left to our own interpretation of what it means. I’m actually more drawn to the lyrical/poetic style this song is written in and the word play. I am determined to get “unfurled” into a piece one of these days.