Eye Songs: The Top Ten
It’s said that the eyes are the window to the soul, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of songs about our eyes. Eye songs are a staple of pop, whether it’s Crystal Gayle seductively singing “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” The Guess Who lamenting “These Eyes,” or Van Morrison belting out “Brown Eyed Girl.” Everyone has their favourite, so here’s our top 10 eye songs:
10. “Behind Blue Eyes”—The Who This may be as rocking as this list is going to get. Originally written for an abandoned sci-fi rock opera, the track has been covered by singers and bands including Sheryl Crow, Limp Bizkit, and Bryan Adams.
9. “Green Eyes”—Coldplay A lesser-known track from the band’s Rush of Blood to the Head album, this song is not about Chris Martin’s current honey, Gwyneth Paltrow (who has blue eyes), but a different girl from before he knew Gwyneth. Awk!
8. “Hungry Eyes”—Eric Carmen Nothing says sensual, sexually-charged eye contact like the movie Dirty Dancing. Song writer Eric Carmen also wrote the song “All By Myself.” How is a guy who wrote two songs as memorable as these so little remembered himself?
7. “Doctor My Eyes”—Jackson Browne One of the greatest songwriters of all-time, Browne is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who wrote hit songs for himself as well as the Eagles, The Byrds, Joan Baez, and Linda Ronstadt.
6. “Holly Holy”—Neil Diamond Even though it doesn’t have the word “eye” in the title, this tune’s opening line makes it clear that Holly has got some extremely dreamy eyes.
5. “Bright Eyes”—Art Garfunkel This haunting song is synonymous with the animated movie adaptation of Watership Down. It’s still a beautiful song even after you know it’s about a rabbit.
4. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”—Frankie Valli This classic from the golden era of musical recording is a fine testament to monogamous love.
3. “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”—Willie Nelson Unbelievable song by a guy whose eyes have rarely been as clear as any stream.
2. “In Your Eyes”—Peter Gabriel The conservative choice for top eye song of all-time, this epic song clearly tugs at the heartstrings and creates pools in those baby blues. It also worked quite well for John Cusack’s character in Say Anything.
1. “Private Eyes”—Hall & Oates This early ’80s favourite tops our list. The cover of the single and album of the same name show the right eye of Hall and the left eye of Oates. This song peaked at number six on the Canadian charts.
What is your favourite song related to vision?