Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)

"Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)" is about the transformative power of love. Max McNown tells the story of meeting a girl so grounded and kind, it inspires him to become a better version of himself.

The song came to life in May 2024 during a writing session in Nashville with songwriters Ava Suppelsa (Home Free's "Lonely Girl's World," Stephen Lee Olsen's "Relationship Goals"), Trent Dabbs (Ingrid Michaelson's "Girls Chase Boys," Kacey Musgraves' "High Horse") and producer Jamie Kenney (Colbie Caillat, Fletcher). McNown had just begun a long-distance relationship and was still in that dreamy, vulnerable stage. He was living in Oregon at the time, and as he talked about his girlfriend - her kindness, her depth, her steady presence - the song began to take shape.

The opening line, "I didn't know you'd have brown eyes," was something McNown had already scribbled down before the session. It's the only physical description in the whole song. Everything else is emotional: his girl is described as spiritual and grounded.