Behind “Behind Blue Eyes”
© Michael Pass, May 3, 2006| The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes” is a fairly old song, but is considered a classic. The song “Behind Blue Eyes” was written by Pete Townsend. Townsend was a member of The Who during the bands career. It was written for the album Lifehouse, but was never released. It appeared in later years on Who’s Next album by The Who in 1971. “Behind Blue Eye’s is considered to be one of there best known songs of The Who’s Career. Though “Behind Blue Eyes” was released on an album that had outtakes on it, it seems to have a much deeper meaning. | |
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The song starts out slow with one man singing and a single guitar strumming. Then other instruments come into play and it turns into a rock ballad. Towards the end of the song it goes back to one singer and guitar and then ends. This type of song style was just starting out in the world of rock and “Behind Blue Eyes” was one of the first to implement this form. Since this form was just starting to gain momentum in the rock community really helped to make this song stand out as well as the words written with it. The lyrics to the song seem to vary in what they are, but they all tie together and form a single message. That message seems to be frustration. The way the words are put together seem to show that the man in the song is frustrated with what seems to be everything. Though there is some hate in his voice during the song the chorus is always sung gently. The words in the chorus also seem to show that not all is bad: But my dreams They aren’t as empty As my conscience seems to be I have hours only lonely My love is vengeance That’s never free In the rest of the song, the person in it seems to be frustrated with those around him, but here in the first line of the chorus he seems to be saying that it is not so bad. He seems to have some hope about something, though he is not specific as to what that hope is in. In the second line of the chorus he sounds as if he is trapped by his love for vengeance. What he wants revenge on is not said but his determination for it seems to have him trapped in some way. He seems to be upset that no one understands him and he asks for help from others: When my fist clenches, crack it open Before I use it and lose my cool When I smile, tell me some bad news Before I laugh and act like a fool If I swallow anything evil Put your finger down my throat If I shiver, please give me a blanket Keep me warm, let me wear your coat |
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| It appears that he is frustrated with them but does want them to know that he has a problem with them so he asks others for help. At the begging of the song you can tell that he is upset, and since the last lines are the same as the first it seems that he is still not happy. Only Pete Townsend knows the meaning of the song, but it can still be interpreted in many ways. | |