25 Great Songs About Eyes

Eyes are the windows to the soul and they tend to also be one of the most expressive parts of the human face. 

You can tell a lot about what a person’s not saying just by the way they hold their eyes and so it’s unsurprising that many artists have written songs about eyes.

From love songs about beautiful and alluring eyes to songs about never giving up and having determination in your eyes, so much is captured in the eye and today we’ll be looking at a list of songs about them.

1. Ocean Eyes – Billie Eilish

A dreamy love letter of a song, Ocean Eyes was the second single off of Elish’s debut EP, Don’t Smile At Me. 

The song is described by critics as a pop, dream-pop, synth-pop, indie-pop, and R&B ballad.

All the above are just a lot of descriptions that come down to the fact that the song mixes a lot of elements from multiple genres. 

The song was produced and written by Eilish’s brother Finneas, who had originally written the song for his band called the Slightlys.

The song did alright as far as chart performances, peaking within the top 60 in the record charts for US Billboard Hot 100, which is notable for a first-time release. 

2. These Eyes – The Guess Who

A song that was originally going to be named “These Arms”, These Eyes is most well known for its repeated long section which starts in C major and then goes up in pitch, changing the key from C to D to E and finishing off at F before the fade.

These Eyes was originally released as a single in The Guess Who’s native country of Canada, where its success along with the influence of a radio station director, helped the band land a U.S. distribution deal.

3. Open Your Eyes – Snow Patrol

The beauty of Open Your Eyes is in its simplicity. 

It’s probably one of the least complicated songs I’ve come across and yet it’s that simplicity that makes for such an easy listen.

 Some have called it oversimplified and formulaic, but that’s part of the charm of Snow Patrol, in that you don’t listen to all of their stuff at once. 

More than that, while the sound may be similar, the songs and their topics can tend to differ in the angle of what they’re singing about.

Open Your Eyes is probably one of my favorite songs, funnily enough, Snow Patrol has another song called “Close Your Eyes,” so either could have made this list. 

The song is also featured widely in different media, especially television series like Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl, and The Office US

4. Hungry Eyes – Eric Carmen

Most of you will likely have heard this song if you’ve watched the 80’s film “Dirty Dancing.” The song was performed by Eric Carmen, but was written by Frank Pevite and John DeNicola, specifically for the soundtrack of “Dirty Dancing.”

Eric Carmen was hesitant at first when requested to perform this song as he believed that soundtrack music died “horrible deaths.”

• The song was recorded at Beachwood Studios in Beachwood, Ohio in 1987, peaking at No.4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No.3 on the Cash Box Top 100 in 1988.
• The song was released commercially on 7-inch vinyl in many countries, along with a 3-track 12-inch maxi single and a 2-track cassette. CD singles were relatively new at the time, however, a 2-track Japanese mini CD single was made available commercially in 1988.

5. In Your Eyes – The Weeknd

The Weeknd has pretty much become a household name at this point. 

I like how he tends to mix 80’s synth pop into his music, creating something that’s both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. 

Released only two years ago in 2020, it’s become something of an instantly recognizable tune, no doubt thanks to radio air fair, I suppose.

The Weeknd stated that the song has a deeper meaning than just being a dance song, in that when you listen to the lyrics, a darker story unfolds. 

He mentioned that the song is about two people who’re in love but are destroying each other at the same time, using the verses to give the two perspectives to the listener.

• The song received universal acclaim and was noted as a standout track from the album 
• The music video is a continuation of the storyline from the After Hours short film after the Weeknd enters an elevator with the couple. The music video has been compared to the Thriller music video from Michael Jackson 
• While the song performed well overall around the world, it only managed to top a few charts in some Eastern European countries, an odd trend if you ask me.

6. Behind Blue Eyes – The Who/Limp Bizkit

Behind Blue Eyes was originally released back in 1971, but has been covered by many artists since, most notably receiving a modern rock makeover by Limp Bizkit. 

The song originated after a Who concert in Denver on 9 June 1970. After their performance, Townshend was tempted by a female groupie but instead went back to his room alone. 

Upon reaching his room, he began to write a prayer, the first words being “When my fist clenches, crack it open…”

These words would go on to appear as the lyrics in the climax of “Behind Blue Eyes.” 

• The song was meant to be released as part of the aborted Lifehouse project, sung from the point of the main villain, Jumbo
• The song’s composition shares a bit in common with “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, possibly serving to be a link between the two when they were intended to be parts of a rock opera
• Limp Bizkit’s version was released in 2003 and was pretty much crapped on by Rolling Stone magazine readers, naming it the second-worst cover song of all time. Despite that, the cover became famous in a lot of other countries

7. Behind these Hazel Eyes – Kelly Clarkson

A song about crappy relationships and fallouts. 

Kelly Clarkson wrote this song stating that it’s “about a dipstick who completely screwed up and now is unhappy and you’re happy.” 

A bit of an odd thing to wish on someone, but breakups tend to make people emotional and resentful, and singers aren’t immune to that emotion.

The song was well received by critics overall, however, some noted that “While Clarkson is doing well musically, her love life still hasn’t picked up and she is heartbroken once again.” 

It tends to be the case for a lot of famous female pop singers.

Anyway, here are some fun facts about this song!

• “Behind These Hazel Eyes” was listed at number 5 on Billboard magazine’s list of Songs of the Summer of 2005
• The song was also listed at number 4 on the Top 100 American Idol Hits of All Time in 2015
• There were originally some miscommunications between Clarkson and her fellow writers on “Since You Been Gone”  as far as lyrics go, so they sent her the soundtrack for “Behind These Hazel Eyes” without lyrics as an extending of an olive branch, as they called it.

8. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

Fun story about Eye of the Tiger, it was only written because Queen denied Sylvester Stallone the rights to use “Another One Bites the Dust” for Rocky 3. 

He decided to then commission Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik to do a song and they came up with this one.

Due to the success of the Rocky movies, the song gained tremendous MTV and radio airplay and topped charts all around the world during 1982. 

In the United States, it held the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 6 consecutive weeks and was the No.2 single of 1982, behind Olivia Newton John’s “Physical.”

• The song received a lot of nominations and awards in 1982 and also earned the band an award for “Best Rock Performance by Duo or Group with Vocal.”
• Sullivan has a propensity for suing people for playing this song as well, filing multiple lawsuits over the years toward politicians using “his song.” I suppose it’s no surprise considering that Survivor is somewhat of a One-hit-wonder (or two hits if you consider the other song commissioned for Rock IV)

9. Brown Eyes – Destiny’s Child

Brown Eyes is another love song about eyes with more of a soul and R&B twist to it. 

The song builds up in the verses until it climaxes in the chorus with a beautiful set of lyrics about being confident in your lover because you can see it in their eyes.

There’s not a whole lot of info about this song online, but if you’re a fan of this 2001 classic or just a fan of R&B, it’s worth a listen.

• The song was released off the album “Survivor” and also includes a prelude called “The Story Of Beauty”

10. Green Eyes – Cold Play

Green Eyes was inspired by Chris Martin’s previous love interest at the time it was written. 

It’s been described as both a “folky-shuffle” and a perfectly precise love song” and has quite a story to it.

Martin explained that he wrote the song about an American friend who looked after him when he was being a bit of an idiot. 

When he started dating actress Gwyneth Paltrow, the band decided to stop performing the song live as it “offended” her.

11. Never Close Our Eyes – Adam Lambert 

released back in 2012, “Never Close Our Eyes” was relatively popular for its time, having been the first song from Lambert to reach the top 20 in the UK and landing in the US top ten club hits chart at the time.

This song was from Lambert’s second album, Trespassing, which he postponed due to the moderate impact “Better Than I Know Myself” had had on the charts. 

The song had a slew of writers behind it, including Bruno Mars and Philip Lawrence, as well producer Henry Walter. 

Mostly about seizing the day, living life to the fullest, and partying until the morning, the song is also about enjoying time with a significant other since you never know how much time you’ll have. 

12. Blueberry Eyes – Max Schneider 

Blueberry Eyes is a romantic ode to songwriter Max Schneider’s wife, sharing his feelings with her as they are expecting their first child together.

This track was also a collaboration with SUGA from BTS since they’re both privately good friends.

The song has a bit of a jazzy feel to it while also mixing in synth-pop elements to it. 

There’s a descending piano riff that runs through the chorus that makes it stand out as it seems to mix in a diminished chord at one point. 

It’s not quite my cup of tea, but for a lot of people it could be, so that’s why it’s on this list. Because I’m open-minded.

13. Angel Eyes – Love and Theft 

A country duo, Love and Theft released this song in 2011 as the band’s first single without group member Brian Bandas and the first from their self-titled album. 

The song is about a rebellious girl, described as having a bit of “devil in her angel eyes”. 

The song is meant to be a fun one, not too serious and just meant to be enjoyed. 

One can’t help but feel like it’s a story being told for a thousandth time when hearing it, as country music tends to overdo the “southern belle/rebellious church girl” theme in their music, but sing what you know, I guess.

• The song hit the top of the Billboard US Hot Country Songs in the year of its release as well as landing at no.32 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
• The song also received a platinum certification

14. All Eyes on You – Meek Mill

All Eyes on you is the tale of how Meek and Nicki Minaj first met, at least in the song. 

According to the lyrics, they met at the club and fell in love at once, but evidence and interviews have made clear that this is false.

In December 2014, Nicki shot down any ideas that she was dating Meek Mill, making it clear that she wasn’t available, but planned to work with Meek on her album, The Pinkprint. 

Funny enough, there’s a lot of celebrity drama attached to this song between these two musicians.

I don’t intend to elaborate on it because those developments occurred after the song was released, but this was already their sixth collaboration together already. 

Meek also uses a phrase in the song “Hitta” which is usually used in songs to replace “nigga” to make them more radio-friendly.

15. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

I decided it best to finish off the list with a classic. 

Brown Eyed Girl played in every home across America and other continents for quite a while after its release back in 1967, I think most people’s grandparents know this song, but it doesn’t make it any less of a classic today.

The song was originally meant to be titled “Brown-Skinned Girl”, Morrison changed it to “Brown-Eyed Girl” when he recorded it. 

He had originally intended for it to be a kind of Jamaican song, with a reference to Calypso. 

“It just slipped my mind that I changed the title,” he said.

The song has nostalgic lyrics about a former lover, but at the time of its release, they were considered to be too suggestive to put on the radio. 

A radio edit of the song had to be made, which removed the lyrics “making love in the green grass”, replacing them with a repetition of a previous verse.

Morrison stated that many of the songs were influenced by the Romantic poets, which is why so many of them paint a picture of an idealistic pastoral landscape.

10 More Songs About Eyes

Title	Artist
Lyin Eyes	Eagles
Blue Eyes	Mika
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes	The Platters
Million Eyes	Loic Nottet
Starry Eyed	Ellie Goulding
Two Lovely Black Eyes	Charles Coborn
Blood in My Eyes	Bob Dylan
Diamond Eyes	Deftones
Sad Eyes	Robert John
Blue Eyed Soul	Wilco