Blowin' Your Mind!

Van's first solo album was fraught with contractual drama, but it yielded his biggest song ever: “Brown Eyed Girl”—an uber-catchy tale of young love with a wordless, sing-along chorus. He explores the darker avenues of sexual power and slow death on the bluesy “He Ain’t Give You None” and “T.B. Sheets," respectively. Then fevered harmonica and bee-sting guitars match Van note for note on “Ro Ro Rosey” and “Midnight Special.” He was already nearing vocal perfection.