Eye Tunes: 73 Pop, Rock, and Country Songs About Eyes
FlourishAnyway believes there is a playlist for just about any situation and is on a mission to unite and entertain the world through song.
Celebrate eyes as the window to the soul with this playlist of songs. We have a long list of pop, rock and country eye tunes to help you out.
Photo by Drew Dizzy Graham on Unsplash; Image created with Canva
A Playlist of Eye Tunes: Celebrate Your Most Important Sense
When you look into the eyes of your sweetheart, what do you see? Lying eyes, crying eyes, another's eyes, or perhaps the bluest (or brownest) eyes you've ever loved?
Eyes are arguably our most important sense, as about 80% of the information we receive from the environment comes to us through our vision. And whether we like it or not, our eyes are also involved in telegraphing cues to others regarding our:
- Emotions
- Health status
- Social and sexual attraction
- Behavioral intentions
Celebrate the magic and the beauty of eyes with a playlist of pop, rock, and country hits about them. We have a long list of hits to start you off with.
1. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli
In love from a distance, the narrator in this 1967 song describes the woman he is smitten with as too "just too good to be true." He finds himself staring at someone he's never touched, dreaming of long nights alone with her.
Sounds like someone is getting way ahead of himself. Shouldn't he stop the creepy staring and introduce himself?
2. "In Another's Eyes" by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood
Imagine looking into your spouse's eyes and consistently pining away for someone else. That's what these cheating hearts are up to in this 1997 country song.
With angst, a couple who is married but not to each other describes the misplaced trust that their spouses put in them. While they're busy committing adultery, the unfaithful man's spouse denies to herself and the world he can do any wrong. And the cheating woman's husband suspects her infidelity but hopes he can turn the tide before he loses her.
3. "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison
This classic 1967 song originally wasn't supposed to be about eyes at all. It was allegedly about an interracial relationship and titled "Brown-Skinned Girl." The song recounts the carefree days of young love. Ever-catchy, it was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
4. "Green Eyes" by Coldplay
The guy in this 2002 song regards his green-eyed lover as a confidante to whom he can unload his feelings. She makes his world a brighter one just by being in it.
Read More From Spinditty
5. "Bluest Eyes in Texas" by Restless Heart
Oh, the games we play with coulda-woulda-shoulda. This 1988 country song is about the heartbreak of life on the road. The narrator is haunted by the memory of a golden-haired, blue-eyed girl, crying in his rear view mirror. Now he finds himself lonely and wondering whether he did the right thing by leaving his Texan beauty behind.
Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.
— Jim Carrey, American comedian
6. "Lyin' Eyes" by The Eagles
Have you ever noticed a couple wherein there's an attractive woman decades younger than her rich, unattractive husband? Is it love or an implicit deal? Who are they really fooling?
This 1975 classic tells the story of a young woman who has married a much older, wealthy man. She has the financial security but not the loving warmth that she seeks, so she tells him a lie to get out of the house at night. Caught between two worlds, she then sneaks over to the cheating side of town.
Don't rely on the idea that liars tend to look up and to the right. Instead, look more for hand gestures and verbal hesitations in spotting a liar.
Aero Pixels via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0
30 Eye-Related Idioms
| Idiom | Meaning | Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
apple of my eye | someone you cherish dearly | catch someone's eye | to attract someone's attention |
sight for sore eyes | so happy to see you | feast your eyes on | to look at something with pleasure |
in someone's mind's eye | to visualize something | eagle eyes | someone with exceptional vision or attention to detail |
able to do something with one's eyes shut | able to do something very easily | eyes like a hawk | someone who notices every small detail |
cast an eye over something | to briefly look over, without going into details | more than meets the eye | there is hidden information that you do not have |
in the blink of an eye | suddenly | didn't bat an eye | showing no emotion |
pull the wool over someone's eyes | to fool or deceive someone | spit in someone's eyes | to show extreme contempt, disrespect or ingratitude |
close one's eyes to something | to ignore something or pretend that it isn't happening | look someone in the eye | look someone directly in the face without shame, embarrassment, or fear |
all eyes are on someone | everyone's attention is focused on someone | couldn't believe my eyes | I was extremely surprised |
eye of the storm | temporary peaceful time before trouble or conflict sets in | eyes wide open | understanding what is going on |
your eyes are bigger than your stomach | you've taken more than you can eat | have half an eye on | to watch something without giving your full attention |
see eye to eye | to be in full agreement | to give someone the evil eye | to look at someone angrily or unpleasantly |
get a black eye | to suffer reputational damage | get an eyeful of something | to see as much as you want to see of something |
have eyes in the back of one's head | to know what's going on even if one cannot see it | have stars in one's eye | to be obsessed with movies, Hollywood, theater, etc. |
in a pig's eye | (a way of showing scornful disbelief) | keep one's eye on the ball | to remain focused |
Brown eyes are actually blue underneath. A medical laser procedure can permanently remove the brown melanin and change brown eye color to blue.
xtina5645 via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0
7. "I Only Have Eyes for You" by The Flamingos
The love struck man in this 1959 classic has tunnel vision:
You are here, and so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you.
8. "Angel Eyes" by The Jeff Healey Band
How he ever caught her eye he doesn't know, but the self-denigrating fella in this 1989 country song is so glad he did. He never learned to dance and he's never been much of a looker, so he believes he doesn't deserve her love. Something in the stars aligned, however. Angel Eyes sees something in him that even he doesn't.
9. "Hungry Eyes" by Eric Carmen
The protagonist in this 1987 song opens up to the woman he has the hots for. However, instead of coming off as romantic or clever, he plays the creepy card big time. Tell me he doesn't sound like a wolf chasing Little Red Riding Hood with his hungry eyes:
I've been meaning to tell you
I've got this feelin' that won't subside.
I look at you, and I fantasize
You're mine tonight
Now I've got you in my sights.
10. "My Eyes" by Blake Shelton (featuring Gwen Sebastian)
In this 2014 song, the narrator gets an eyeful of a woman he likes. He undresses her with his eyes and isn't bashful about saying so:
Come a little closer, come a little closer
Come a little closer, girl the way you look tonight
My eyes are the only thing I don't wanna take off of you.
Eye color is one of the first things people notice about another person. Brown is the most prevalent eye color in the world.
Demietrich Baker via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0
11. "Doctor My Eyes" by Jackson Browne
Based on the upbeat tempo of this 1972 hit, you'd think that this was a happy song. However, pay attention to its lyrics and you'll discover a soul-searching narrator who is concerned because he has turned off his feelings.
He's seen some unspecified evil in the world yet learned how to mask his emotions. Now, he worries what the impact might be.
12. "Behind These Hazel Eyes" by Kelly Clarkson
The heartbroken narrator in this 2004 pop song feels like a shadow of the woman she used to be. Her breakup has left her torn up, sleepless and an emotional mess. However, as a sign of strength, she vows to only cry on the inside. She won't let her ex-lover see her weep. You go, girl!
13. "These Eyes" by The Guess Who
Talk about pouring the guilt on thick (like peanut butter)! The guy in this 1969 rock classic has been left by his ladylove, and now he's trying to make her feel sorry for him.
He reminds her that she broke her promise, says he'll never be free, and he claims that she ended his (sorry-a**) world. With her gone, now all he does is boo-hoo. He swears he'll never love another.
Suck it up and move on, buddy! She ain't ever coming back!
Everyone will eventually get cataracts if they live long enough. It's a normal change to the eye that occurs on average at age 70. So you have THAT to look forward to!
Gorgeous Eyes via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0
14. "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel
In the most poetic way, the guy in this 1986 song tells his sweetheart that she completes him. He sees it all in her eyes:
In your eyes, I see the doorway to a thousand churches
In your eyes, the resolution of all the fruitless searches
In your eyes, I see the light and the heat
In your eyes. Oh, I want to be that complete.
15. "Fresh Eyes" by Andy Grammer
Have you ever looked at someone you've known for years and suddenly seen them in a brand new light? You notice how gorgeous and amazing they are yet they were in front of your eyes all along. What happened?
This 2016 song describes the feeling of viewing a friend (or even a stranger) through fresh eyes. Make sure to watch the Andy Grammer's video; it will leave you with a smile on your face and a lump in your throat.
Pupils dilate in response to light, sexual arousal, and mental effort (such as a difficult math problem). People are more likely to perceive targets with larger, more dilated pupils as more attractive, although they may not register why.
AC_RT via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0
16. "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" by Willie Nelson
Long ago, the narrator in this 1975 country song said goodbye to a blue-eyed beauty, and as he left her crying in the rain, they both knew they would never meet again. Now an old man, he still remembers her that sad day and continues to love her. Instead of trying to reconnect with her on Earth, he hopes to do so in the afterlife. (Don't wait. You may not be going the same direction.)
17. "Pretty Eyes" by Alex Goot
The guy in this 2011 ballad is a smooth talker alright. He's trying to get his summer lover to stay the night with him by describing the power and beauty of her eyes. Comparing their color to the summer sky, he tells her that they glow and that "you and your pretty eyes, you keep me alive, keep me alive." Okay, so now he's making this a life and death issue?
18. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler
What an incredible power ballad this 1983 song is. If you've ever had a relationship that's desperately broken and unfixable, this one's for you.
The song's narrator refers to her lover as "Bright Eyes." They've had a tumultuous relationship, and he has turned away from her. Now she is left crying, lonely, and desperate for him to love her like he used to.
Our heartbroken narrator pleads with her Romeo to turn back and try to recapture the feelings they once shared so freely. But it ain't happening.
Speakers who make eye contact with their targets are perceived as more earnest and believable. Closing your eyes while speaking can communicate superiority or boredom.
Axel Naud via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0
19. "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes
The narrator of this 1981 Grammy-winning song describes a seductress who is "pure as New York snow." She's a woman with all the tricks at her disposal. She teases, pleases and uses a combination of her natural beauty and street smarts to get what she wants. Among these are her seductive eyes.
20. "In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride
When you become a parent, you are filled with the determination and hope of becoming a better version of yourself. This 2003 country song describes how a young mother has been transformed by seeing herself as her daughter does: strong, heroic, wise.
She looks at her daughter's perspective on the world and is buoyed by the child's optimism. Her daughter sees everyone as equals and the world at peace. As a result, the mother is motivated to make the world a better place for her family, one that more closely resembles what her child sees.
Contrary to what you learned in high school biology, new research has found eye color to be influenced by 16 genes rather than two. This makes predicting eye color difficult.
Bellie Flopper via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0
Even More Songs About Eyes
| Song | Artist | Year Released |
|---|---|---|
21. Blue Eyes | Elton John | 1982 |
22. Brown Eyes | Lady Gaga | 2008 |
23. Eyes of a Woman | Tim McGraw | 1999 |
24. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes | The Platters | 1958 |
25. Private Eyes | Hall and Oates | 1981 |
26. Pale Blue Eyes | Velvet Underground | 1969 |
27. Sexy Eyes | Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show | 1977 |
28. Thousand Eyes | Of Monsters and Men | 2015 |
29. The Light in Your Eyes | LeeAnn Rimes | 1997 |
30. Pretty Brown Eyes | Cody Simpson | 2013 |
31. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man | Chuck Berry | 1956 |
32. Sad Eyes | Robert John | 1979 |
33. Beautiful Eyes | Taylor Swift | 2008 |
34. My Eyes Have Seen You | The Doors | 1967 |
35. Angel in My Eyes | John Michael Montgomery | 1997 |
36. Eyes of a Woman | Journey | 1992 |
37. Sight for Sore Eyes | Aerosmith | 1977 |
38. Green-Eyed Lady | Sugarloaf | 1970 |
39. Brown Eyes | Destiny's Child | 2013 |
40. Behind Blue Eyes | The Who | 1971 |
41. Your Eyes | Simply Red | 2000 |
42. Eyes Wide Open | Sabrina Carpenter | 2015 |
43. Close Your Eyes | Meghan Trainor | 2015 |
44. Beautiful In My Eyes | Joshua Kadison | 1993 |
45. Wild Eyes | Broiler (featuring Ravvel) | 2014 |
46. My Father's Eyes | Eric Clapton | 1998 |
47. Spanish Eyes | Willie Nelson (featuring Julio Iglesias) | 1988 |
48. Sad Eyes | Enrique Iglesias | 1999 |
49. For Your Eyes Only | Sheena Easton | 1981 |
50. Don't Close Your Eyes | Keith Whitley | 1988 |
51. Open Your Eyes (Deep Blue Songspell) | Bea Miller | 2014 |
52. Wandering Eyes | Ronnie McDowell | 1980 |
53. Looking Through Your Eyes | LeeAnn Rimes | 1998 |
54. Lonely Eyes | Chris Young | 2013 |
55. Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue | Crystal Gayle | 1977 |
56. Eyes Open | Taylor Swift | 2012 |
57. Eyes Without a Face | Billy Idol | 1983 |
58. Sometimes an Old Memory Gets In My Eye | Dolly Parton | 1973 |
59. Goodbye In Her Eyes | Zac Brown Band | 2012 |
60. Rhinestone Eyes | Gorillaz | 2010 |
61. Not a Dry Eye Left in the House | Meatloaf | 1995 |
62. My Eyes Adored You | Frankie Valli | 1974 |
63. Crystal Eyes | LA Guns | 1984 |
64. Baby's Got Blue Eyes | Elton John | 1982 |
65. My Mother's Eyes | Willie Nelson | 1981 |
66. It’s In Your Eyes | Kylie Minogue | 2002 |
67. Ocean Eyes | Billie Eilish | 2017 |
68. Eyes on You | Chase Rice | 2017 |
69. When You Close Your Eyes | Night Ranger | 1983 |
70. Close My Eyes Forever | Ozzy Osbourne and Lita Ford | 1989 |
71. When You Look Me in the Eyes | Jonas Brothers | 2007 |
72. I'll Never Let You Go | Steelheart | 1991 |
73. Damn Your Eyes | Alex Clare | 2011 |
If you have green eyes, consider yourself a rare breed indeed. Green eyes occur in about 2% of the world's population.
Look Into My Eyes via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2016 FlourishAnyway
Comments
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on April 28, 2020:
Peggy - I'm glad you found some interesting information here! Thanks for reading!
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on April 28, 2020:
In addition to the many songs about eyes, I found those tidbits of information about the eyes most informative. I had no idea that the melanin could be removed from brown eyes, and they would be blue underneath the brown, as one example. Amazing!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on April 10, 2020:
Mary Smith - Thanks for the song suggestion. I'll add it to the list. It was covered by Alex Clare. What's old is new again!
Mary Smith on April 09, 2020:
This song falls more into the “Blues / R&B” category - Damn Your Eyes by Etta James
Your lists are So Cool! Covering decades of music! And packed with added fun information!
Thank you for taking the time to pull it all together!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on June 10, 2019:
Shannon - Me too! That song reminds me of this male "friend" that my sister had back in college in the 1990s. He would take photos of her from the side (like when she was driving). She got very suspicious so she took his film and got it developed and most of it was of her chest area from the side! Creepy! He had his eyes on her alright.
Shannon Henry from Texas on June 09, 2019:
Am I the only one who thinks that Chase Rice's song "Eyes on You" is a little creepy?
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 13, 2019:
Mom555 - Thank you for these suggestions! I'm made some additions to the playlist and you have given me an idea for another playlist. Have a wonderful week.
Mom555 on May 12, 2019:
When you look me in the eye~Jonas Brothers
eye of the storm~Godsmack
Eye of the zombie~John Folgerty
Mom555 on May 12, 2019:
Close my eyes forever~Lita ford and ozzy
Mom555 on May 12, 2019:
When you close your eyes~Night ranger
Anthony Georgio on September 16, 2018:
Never knew that :) I like "Andy Williams" version better, but frankie's Ok as well.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on September 16, 2018:
Anthony - He did a cover version of it in 1968. (Sometimes I do list covers instead of originals but this time I didn't.)
Anthony Georgio on September 16, 2018:
Thought "Andy Williams" did No1.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on July 21, 2018:
Grace - This was a great song suggestion! I've added it at #67. Have a great weekend!
Grace Reitz on July 16, 2018:
Ocean Eyes~Billie Eilish
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on June 21, 2017:
Tamara - Thank you for stopping by! I am happy that you enjoy these as much as I enjoy publishing them! Have a wonderful day!
Tamara Moore on June 21, 2017:
Eye really like this post about all the different and various eye colors. And, Eye enjoy many of these songs, as well. You seem to have an eye for making really eye-teresting posts!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 02, 2017:
arxer - Thanks for stopping by!
arxer on January 01, 2017:
yay beautiful eyes and eyes open are here! nice list
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 07, 2016:
Suhail and my dog - Thank you for the song suggestion. (I like the 80s hair metal bands too!) I've added it as #63. Have a great week!
Suhail and my dog on November 05, 2016:
Hi FlourishAnyway,
I have been listening to Eagles' Lying Eyes since late 80s. However, I like an 'eye' song - "Crystal Eyes" from 80s Hair Metal Band called LA Guns the best. These two songs are my personal favorites. Now I will be listening to those songs you have included in this hub.
Regards,
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 02, 2016:
Gypsy Rose Lee - Thank you for your words of encouragement. This one was a fun one to write. Have a terrific week!
Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on November 02, 2016:
WOW lots of music to like here all about eyes. Thanks for the inspiration. Time for another music blog on eyes I see. I have done two but you gathered so many that I have to take another look. These are awesome hubs looking forward to more.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 01, 2016:
Martie - That would be a neat theme! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week ahead.
Martie Coetser from South Africa on October 31, 2016:
I can already see me and some friends having a party with eyes as the theme. I love all these songs about eyes. Thanks, Flourish!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 31, 2016:
Devika - Glad you enjoyed this. I like that one as well! Have a good week!
DDE on October 31, 2016:
Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison is one of my best songs. Thank you for an interesting list of songs.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 30, 2016:
Vellur - Thank you for reading! Country music can certainly hold its own in this category!
Nithya Venkat from Dubai on October 30, 2016:
A fantastic list of songs about eyes. I love the songs by Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 28, 2016:
Linda - Thank you for your kind encouragement. I enjoy learning as I do the research on some of the topics. Have a wonderful weekend!
Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on October 28, 2016:
I always enjoy reading the facts that you include in your playlist articles, Flourish. Even when I don't know the music, the articles are interesting and useful.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 28, 2016:
MsDora - I think it's similar to "when pigs fly!" Glad you enjoyed this. Have a marvelous weekend!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 28, 2016:
Terrielynn1 - Total Eclipse of the Heart has to be one of my all time favorite songs. Glad you have wonderful memories of it and that I could bring back memories of fun times. Thanks for reading.
Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on October 28, 2016:
Another great list and thanks for the education on eye idioms. "Pig's eyes" is new to me. You entertain and educate. Way to go!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 27, 2016:
BlossomSB - Thank you! There are so many eye tunes out there! I love to do these lists, as they are a walk down memory lane. Have a wonderful weekend!
Bronwen Scott-Branagan from Victoria, Australia on October 27, 2016:
So interesting! You have done a lot of research for this and it's a pleasure to read.
Terrie Lynn from Canada on October 27, 2016:
Love those eyes. Lol . Cool hub. Please keep writing. What a memory these bring. My grad night dinner 2 of my school mates sang total eclipse of the heart. Thank you for the memories.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 27, 2016:
Larry - That's one of my favorites, too! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend ahead!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 27, 2016:
Heidi, Thank you! I like that one as well. Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 27, 2016:
Bill - Give the man some tissues. I liked the song, but examining the lyrics makes me cringe. Sometimes knowing the lyrics better changes your perception of a song!
Larry Rankin from Oklahoma on October 27, 2016:
Brown Eyed Girl has always been a favorite of mine. Great read:-)
Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on October 27, 2016:
I think my fave is Flamingos' "I Only Have Eyes for You." Another great playlist! Happy Thursday!
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on October 27, 2016:
"These Eyes" was my first choice. For some reason that popped into my head immediately. NOw that you mention it, he does sound like he's whining, doesn't he? LOL
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 26, 2016:
Linda - Thank you for your kind encouragement. I'm amazed how you can take nearly any topic (sometimes twist it, sometimes just a mundane topic) and find so many songs that are associated with it. I appreciate you following my little series.
Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on October 26, 2016:
I had no idea there were so many songs about eyes--the windows to the soul, but as I read through this hub I kept nodding my head, "yes, yes, yes." There are very few I had not heard of.
Honestly I don't know where you get your inspiration, or how you do it, but I sincerely hope that you don't stop. I love these!
