Behind Blue Eyes
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| "Behind Blue Eyes" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Going Mobile" |
"Behind Blue Eyes" is a song by English rock band, The Who. It was released as the second single from their fifth album Who's Next and was written by Pete Townshend originally for his Lifehouse project.[2][3] The song is one of The Who's most well known recordings and has been covered by many artists.
Overview
The song starts off with a solo voice singing over an arpeggiated acoustic guitar, later adds in bass guitar and ethereal harmonies, eventually breaks out into full-scale rock anthem when a second theme is introduced near the end, and wraps up by a brief reprise of the quieter first theme. Songs written in alternating sections were something of a trademark of Townshend's writing of the period, going back at least to Tommy, where it was used in "Christmas" and "Go to the Mirror!". The guitar riff at the end of the rock anthem section is also used after the bridge during the song "Won't Get Fooled Again," perhaps serving as a link between the two songs when Behind Blue Eyes was intended to be a rock opera. (Some musical themes from Tommy and Quadrophenia also appear in multiple places.)
The version of "Behind Blue Eyes" on the original Behind Blue Eyes album was actually the second version the band recorded; the earlier version was recorded at the Record Plant in New York on March 18, 1971 and features Al Kooper on Hammond Organ.[4] Pete Townshend has also recorded two solo versions of the song. One, the original demo of the song, was featured on the Scoop album. The demo along with a newer recording of the song featuring an orchestral backing was featured in The Lifehouse Chronicles.
Lifehouse story
Behind Blue Eyes is sung from the point of view of the main villain of Lifehouse, Jumbo. The lyrics are a first-person lament from Jumbo, who is always angry and full of angst because of all the pressure and temptation that surrounds him, and the song was intended to be his "theme song" had the project been successful.
Personnel
- Roger Daltrey - vocals
- Pete Townshend - acoustic guitar, lead guitar, backing vocals
- John Entwistle - bass guitar, backing vocals
- Keith Moon - drums
Covers
Limp Bizkit cover
| "Behind Blue Eyes" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Behind Blue Eyes" was covered by Limp Bizkit and was released as a single from their album Results May Vary. The song was released to coincide with the release of the film Gothika. Lyrics of the original song are subjected to major changes in the Limp Bizkit cover: "No one knows what its like/To be mistreated/To be defeated/Behind blue eyes/No one knows how to say/That they're sorry/And don't worry/I'm not telling lies." Also the cover deletes middle section of "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."
Year-end
| End of year chart (2004) | Position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart [5] | 15 |
Other covers
"Behind Blue Eyes" has also been covered by numerous artists, including Bryan Adams, Pearl Jam, Sheryl Crow, Lifehouse, Testudo, Ian Stuart Donaldson, Jon English, Suzanne Vega, Silvertide, The Chieftains, Skrewdriver and Unknown Hinson.
References
- ^ 20th Century Masters-The Best of The Who: The Millenium Collection Liner Notes
- ^ "Behind Blue Eyes : The Who". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "The Streets lead Ivor nominations". BBC News. 2005-04-11. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ Who's Next - 1995 Remastered Edition CD Booklet Page 23
- ^ http://www.mtv.de/charts/Single_Jahrescharts_2004