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Behind Blue Eyes
Song

Behind Blue Eyes

The Who
Album:
Whos Next

Meaning of the song Behind Blue Eyes by The Who, and what it is about


"Behind Blue Eyes" was inspired by a Who concert that took place in Denver on June 9, 1970. Townshend was enticed by a female groupie after the concert, but he declined and returned to his room by himself—possibly as a result of Meher Baba, his spiritual guide. He started composing a prayer as soon as he got to his room, starting with the line, "When my fist clenches, crack it open..." Later, these lines resurfaced as lyrics in "Behind Blue Eyes," during the "climactic rocking section."


Lyrics of the song Behind Blue Eyes by The Who


No one knows what it's like

To be the bad man

To be the sad man

Behind blue eyes

 

No one knows what it's like

To be hated

To be fated

To telling only lies

 

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

 

No one knows what it's like

To feel these feelings

Like I do

And I blame you

 

No one bites back as hard

On their anger

None of my pain and woe

Can show through

 

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

 

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

 

And if I swallow anything evil

Put your finger down my throat

And if I shiver, please give me a blanket

Keep me warm, let me wear your coat

 

No one knows what it's like

To be the bad man

To be the sad man

Behind blue eyes

Release Date

1971

Songwriter/s

Pete Townshend

Producer/s

The Who, Glyn Johns, Kit Lambert, Chris Stamp, Pete Kameron

Label/s

Decca, MCA, Track, Polydor

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