When the Twin Cities band Mint Condition first released “Pretty Brown Eyes” back in 1991, the second single from their “Meant to Be Mint” album, nobody could’ve expected that social media would rediscover it decades later.
The song, which has recently gone viral on TikTok, has been a part of several trends on the app, including one trend where users share old photos of their parents and describe them as heartbreakers, using the song’s hook “breaking my heart.” You can see them at tiktok.com/tag/breakingmyheartchallenge.
Users also have been using the song to describe situations — hypothetical and literal — that would break their hearts, often taking on a funny twist.
For example, one Minnesota TikTok user named Madden (@m444dden) posted a TikTok to poke fun at his short friends, using the song to describe how it would break his heart to say goodbye because “Santa needs his elves soon.”
Another user named Angelique posted a TikTok using the song to describe a situation in which her gym crush talks to the hottest girl working out at the gym.
The song tells a story about romantic longing — especially for a person with pretty brown eyes — and explores themes of love, honesty and communication in relationships.
Mint Condition co-founder and lead singer Stokley Williams, of St. Paul, said it was amazing to see how technology and social media helped give the song new traction.
“It’s still a lot of people’s favorite,” Williams said. “Now I see the kids of people who discovered it back in the day, and I’ll go and perform the song, and they’ll hear certain parts of it.”
‘I don’t take it for granted’
Although Mint Condition has not released a new album since 2012, and Williams has since pursued a solo music career as “Stokley,” he said he loves that he can connect with the newest generation of fans because of “Pretty Brown Eyes.”
Stokley performs during the 32nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul on Jan. 15, 2018. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
“The biggest thing that’s changed is the connection and the recognition of the song and the awareness of the group,” Williams said. “They connect [the song] to other things, and a lot of people are catching on to what I’m doing now.”
Mint Condition was founded in the early 1980s by Williams, guitarist Homer O’Dell, keyboardist Larry Waddell, saxophonist Jeff Allen, percussionist Keri Lewis and bass guitarist Rick Kinchen.
After a performance at First Avenue, the band signed a contract with Prospective Records, where they would release their debut album, “Meant to Be Mint” in 1991.
Since then, the band was nominated for a Grammy award and several R&B awards, and has taken home several awards such as 2013 Independent R&B Album of the Year and 2012 R&B Duo/Group of the Year.
Williams has produced two solo albums, including his recent album “Sankofa,” which has features from artists such as Snoop Dogg and H.E.R.
Related Articles
Concert review: Cigarettes After Sex hold crowd under a spell at the X
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic books outdoor show at Treasure Island Casino in June
Opera review: ‘The Mushroom that Swallowed the Moon Whole’ is a musical and visual delight
Last chance: At new 825 Arts, ‘Divas & Drag’ pairs professional opera singers with drag and burlesque artists to explore ‘big emotions of how the music makes you feel’
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with these Twin Cities events
“Everybody’s got different things going on just because we’ve been doing the band for so long,” Williams said. “Making a record and touring has been an amazing thing, to go around the world and meet some of our favorite people.”
Williams appreciates the support that fans, new and old, have been giving “Pretty Brown Eyes” and Mint Condition, especially in recent months.
“I don’t take it for granted. There’s so much happening out here, so to have somebody’s time, that’s the most valuable thing,” Williams said. “Just continue to dig [into the music]. It’s a lot more deeper than you think.”
You can find Williams on Instagram, Facebook, and on tour. You can also find Mint Condition active on Instagram, posting tributes, throwbacks and other photos.
Leave a Reply