"This is the artist page for the Japanese composer Nobuo Uematsu. If you're… Read Full Bio ↴"This is the artist page for the Japanese composer Nobuo Uematsu. If you're looking for the artist 'FF7', see his redirected profile. To ensure your scrobbles are shown under the correct name, please turn corrections off in your account settings."

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Nobuo Uematsu (植松伸夫 Uematsu Nobuo) (born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer of video game music. He is best known for his work with game developer Squaresoft (now Square Enix), having provided scores for a majority of installments of Square's Final Fantasy series of role-playing games. Uematsu's body of work - composed, in its entirety, on keyboards - is known for its distinct eclecticism, and has secured his status as one of the most popular and beloved composers of video game music in the world.

Nobuo Uematsu was born in Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. A self-taught musician, he began to play the piano when he was eleven or twelve years old, and he did not take any formal piano lessons. After graduating from Kanagawa University, Uematsu played the keyboard in several amateur bands and composed music for television commercials.

When Uematsu was working at a music rental shop in Tokyo, a Square employee asked if he would be interested in creating music for some of the titles they were working on. Although he agreed, Uematsu considered it a side job, and he did not think it would become a full-time career. He said it was a way to make some money on the side, while also keeping his part-time job at the music rental shop. His first score for Square was Cruise Chaser Blassty, released in 1986.

Uematsu enjoyed massive commercial success with the song "Eyes on Me" performed by 王菲 and featured in Final Fantasy VIII. The single sold 400,000 copies, a record for a video game song, and won the "Song of the Year" award at the 1999 Japan Gold Disc Awards. Uematsu was subsequently named in Time Magazine's list of the Top 100 Innovators - Music, and has toured Japan playing classical concerts on several occasions.

His music itself is notoriously eclectic, tracks featured skip between pop-style balladry, to fusion styles incorporating African traditions, to, in recent years, a number of Celtic-influenced recordings and releases. Many of his works also contain elements of progressive rock and hard rock. His formation of The Black Mages, a rock band, in 2003, allowed him to experiment with his own compositions, releasing band renditions of a significant number of tracks from his soundtracks. The Black Mages disbanded in 2010, but Uematsu formed a new band featuring other ex-Black Mages members and some new faces, Earthbound Papas, in its wake.

In 2004, Uematsu formed his own production company, Smile Please, to which Uematsu's compositions for CG-animated film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children is credited. Uematsu continues to compose for Square Enix and other video game developers, such as Mistwalker. Notably, he worked on the soundtrack for the Nintendo crossover fighting game, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, having composed its main theme.

Eyes on Me
植松伸夫 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Whenever sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard
I saw you smiling at me
Was it real or just my fantasy?
You'd always be there in the corner
Of this tiny little bar

My last night here for you
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you?

Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer

So let me come to you
Close as I want to be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart beating fast
And stay there as I whisper
How I love your peaceful eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you?

Darling, so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is
How can I let you know
I'm more than the dress and the voice
Just reach me out then
You will know that you're not dreaming

Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure

If frown is shown then I will know
that you are no dreamer

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Eyes on Me" by 植松伸夫 speak of a performer who has always sung their songs on their own. They wonder if the person they see smiling in the corner of a small bar is real or just a fantasy. The singer admires the shy way that person looks at them and wonders if that person knows that the singer has their eyes on them too. The singer offers to be there for this person, someone who appears to be unassailable, to offer comfort and to be someone they can confide in. They plead with this person to let them get close enough to feel their heart beating fast and to convey how much they are drawn in by the peaceful look in their eyes. The lyrics close with the singer asking this person to share their love or their pain with them, to see them beyond their voice and their appearance, to recognize that they are real.

The lyrics to "Eyes on Me" present the common human experience of yearning to connect with someone in a world that can sometimes feel alienating. The singer takes the risk of stepping beyond the fantasy of performing on stage and seeing someone in the crowd who seems to be looking at them specifically. They seek to form a relationship with this person, acknowledging their hurt and pain and offering to be there for them. The song suggests that it is only through taking these risks that we can truly connect with someone else on a meaningful level.

Line by Line Meaning

Whenever sang my songs On the stage, on my own
Every time I sang my songs, it was always on stage by myself

Whenever said my words Wishing they would be heard
I always wished that my words would be heard by someone

I saw you smiling at me Was it real or just my fantasy?
When I saw you smiling at me, I couldn't tell if it was real or just my imagination

You'd always be there in the corner Of this tiny little bar
You were always in the corner of this small bar

My last night here for you Same old songs, just once more My last night here with you? Maybe yes, maybe no
This could be my last night with you and I'm going to sing the same old songs, but I'm not sure if it really is my last night with you

I kind of liked it your way How you shyly placed your eyes on me Did you ever know That I had mine on you?
I really enjoyed the way you looked at me with your shy eyes, did you know that I was also looking at you?

Darling, so there you are With that look on your face As if you're never hurt As if you're never down
There you are with a look on your face like you've never been hurt, never been down

Shall I be the one for you Who pinches you softly but sure If frown is shown then I will know that you are no dreamer
Should I be the one who pinches you gently to make sure you're not dreaming? If you frown, then I'll know that you're not dreaming

So let me come to you Close as I want to be Close enough for me To feel your heart beating fast And stay there as I whisper How I love your peaceful eyes on me Did you ever know That I had mine on you?
Let me come close to you, as close as I want to be, close enough to feel your heart beating fast. I want to stay here and whisper how much I love when you look at me with those peaceful eyes. Did you know that I was also looking at you?

Darling, so share with me Your love if you have enough Your tears if you're holding back Or pain if that's what it is
Darling, please share your love with me if you have enough to give. If you're holding back tears or struggling with pain, I am here for you.

How can I let you know I'm more than the dress and the voice Just reach me out then You will know that you're not dreaming
How can I make you understand that I am more than just what you see on the surface? Just reach out to me and you will know that you're not dreaming

Darling, so there you are With that look on your face As if you're never hurt As if you're never down Shall I be the one for you Who pinches you softly but sure If frown is shown then I will know that you are no dreamer
There you are, looking like you've never been hurt, like you've never been down. Should I be the one to gently pinch you to make sure you're not dreaming? If you frown, then I'll know that you're not dreaming

Contributed by Miles F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Comments from YouTube:

Ru's Piano Ru味春捲

5y↑386

Eyes On Me - Faye Wong フェイ・ウォン
王菲為最終幻想8所唱的主題曲，至今仍是不滅經典 (*´ω`)
#JoinMemberships：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAYrMNl92jw6cpjdpBP8JyA/join
#樂譜SheetMusic:
https://www.mymusicsheet.com/ruspiano/22557
https://gum.co/pWNe

Fabien Fert

Awesome ruru 👍

Hyper Goh

好聽

劉子承

@張雜凱你們好厲害，我完全看不懂那條夢境的劇情線。

Dat Ly

Does anyone still keep the sheet?

Kam Watersoi

會出ff9嗎？

22 More Replies...

manabu h

3y↑9

フェイオンのEeys on me…
演奏が綺麗でFF8の世界観を感じます。
抑揚のつけ方など、ピアノの演奏が素晴らし過ぎます✨
日本のアニメだけじゃなく、ゲームの音楽まで演奏して頂き、ありがとうございます！
朝に聴いて心に染みました😊

A P

2y↑2

Either FFVIII or FFX is my favorite game in the series, but this theme is probably my favorite! Excellent as always, Ru!! ☺️

1412 silver

2y↑1

沒玩過最終幻想8，但這首歌真的是耳熟能詳耶!很經典的一首歌，台主也呈現的很經典，曲子含有的情感都一點一點的滲透到心裡。

Soldier08Yang

1y↑1

This piano cover of Eyes On Me is absolutely beautiful. 💓 Thank you for making it. The song reminds me of the one I love most. 💜

Gamez Masta

2y↑3

Final Fantasy VIII is my favorite FF game and this song is just beautiful ❤️

Lyntzbartzky

The game and the song will never fail to bring tears to my eyes

筋トレマン

2y↑2

私はこれをほぼ毎日聞いてます
色んな方がカバーしてますが
ここが1番心地良いです＼(^^)／

average user

4y↑13

Rinoa and Squall will forever be my favorite FF couple. The story, their relationship, everything about them makes me sad, happy, and nostalgic at the same time. This song truly captures their love story and this version is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for gifting us with this ms ru 💕

Shawn Cham

4y↑2

Me too 💓💯

aji ardiles

4y↑8

This evokes so much emotion in me. I want to go back to a simpler time and play this FF one more time.

Justine A

4y↑9

I love this song so much and I never got tired of listening to the piano covers over the years. Would love to have this on spotify.

BigDudut

3y↑2

the best theme song in game in that era, and still the best theme song in game after 20 years i've been playing hundreds of game later..tq you rui for playing this song with such lovely melody of yours

Kurt D.

4y↑297

I feel like if I were to try to go up to this girl and try to talk to her while she's playing the piano, my leg would cramp up.

Lyntzbartzky

@Vineel Anand i hope two years ain’t that bad

Lyntzbartzky

Then you fall asleep on the bed after getting wasted on wine 😏

Vineel Anand

3y↑3

I hope being a year late isnt that late...... After all Laguna was never on time :)

o mathitis

Yes.

Roo

3y↑3

Best comment

9 More Replies...

ScyllaIo

5y↑22

I remember playing this game, defeating the final boss and the scene cut to this music playing, I just put the controller on floor and wondered why my vision was suddenly blurry. Didn't know I was tearing up until I felt them roll down my cheeks. I liked FF7 but FF8 is what made me feel something for the characters and story.

M. Steele

Revisit the game? I have it on my phone. I use android and emulate it. Runs good on S7

Marlon Albarina

You're very good at playing the piano, you can pick up the music, it's nice to listen to, it's nice to the ear, it's relaxing ty ruru 😘

francis barcelon

4y↑3

This song will always have a special place in my heart and will always be one of my favorites. Thank you for your wonderful cover!

smpiggy.com玩屁小猪

5y↑9

This song brings me to the dreamland of memory, my pals, my pets, my PS1 and FF8, and all the stories. Thank you Ru, you are a incredible magician! 🧡

masa i

4y↑2

ファイナルファンタジーで大好きな曲です
すごく癒されました♫
ありがとうございます❣️

Soma Vermillion

4y↑2

Finding your channel full of memories from my childhood was easily one of the nicest treats lately. Though we never met, I can say that you are a great person judging by your dedication to detail in your music pieces, as well as by the actual selection of music itself. I wish you the very best for the future and a great day to everyone reading this comment here c:

22黃朗芸

非常喜歡💕演奏像訴說著故事，翻譯也很好❤️

Cesar De Jeronimo

3y↑2

Maybe it is the mic you used back in 2019. But, in my humble opinion your performance in 2019 is considerably better than the 2021. The bass tones are much deeper especially at the start. It feels more elegant here. I absolutely love this cover and watch it regularly. Its my favorite Eyes on Me cover.

Michele Gabriele

4y↑19

Really happy you played Eyes on me! It's one of most underestimated song of the FF universe! Love this piece! :D

Non Voglio Capire

3y↑2

Italy, 04:AM. Just finished FF VIII for the third time. I go to bed with this beautiful piano in my ears 😴😊

FerssFree

5y↑2

Que sonido tal dulce, uno de mis juegos favoritos, bravo!!!!

Goof Ball

Beautiful 🥰 when Ru is playing 💖

すかにゃん

3y↑1

これは “ 神曲 ”
いろいろな想いが、込み上げてきます。
80年、90年代のアニメ、ゲーム曲はpianoの音色に合う綺麗なメロディの物が、まだまだ沢山あります。

最近は何故、この時代の曲を弾いてくれないのだろうか？(T_T)

Paulo Obero

4y↑5

How nostalgic! I even remember the cinematics where squall and rinoa danced at the Garden.

あきら100.00%

3y↑3

ピアノカバー、とても好きになりました☺️
何度も聞きたい、心の洗われる演奏をありがとうございます(^^)

Nendrel

4y↑6

It was my first girlfriend's favourite song. Because of that I'm unable to finish listening this song without crying.
I think this is one of best love themes ever made. And your performance is amazing. I can feel all the feelings you express in this theme.
Thank you so much, Ru 🙂

Everett Clunie

5y↑1

Final fantasy has the greatest music of any game series ever. And you really do make it shine. Beautiful, truly

MuffinFame

5y↑6

My absolute favorite final fantasy game. It's so underrated. The character development, story, and soundtrack are all so damn well done.

Li Wang

1y↑1

FF8美好的童年回忆！这个系列的经典音乐太多了：素敵だね，时の放浪者，Eyes On Me，Pray

Tony Sun

4y↑11

I've hear so many versions of this... but this by far the most heart felt and touching version I've heard.. thank you.

MichaelangeloFlores

4y↑2

I imagine this is what it would sound like if Julia completed her entire piano solo in FFVIII.
Would love for this to play in an actual bar.

DJayro

5y↑2

I always likes Julia theme, more than original theme. But this is masterpiece, i am really serious. Your passion and personality must be soo beautiful to create something like this.
Thank You.

Pyres

4y↑2

I love this song and I always have ever since FF8 first released. It was shocking to me when the scene with song came on. Final Fantasy had never really had anything like it before and never a real insert song either. It was great. Even though FF8 is not my absolute favorite FF (it was still fun)... this song will always be special.

Nocto

5y↑14

It is so heartwarming to see so much interest for FF VIII 20 years after its release

Ani-Work

2y↑1

Why did I only see this video now! I'm a fan of Final Fantasy and it is one of my childhood memories! And I always play this song in my computer. After many years and now I'm 32, I started practicing piano. Then I saw this wonderful piece! Seriously this arrangement is really superb! I will make this my inspiration and motivation to pursue learning piano everyday! Thank you!

Raymond Tseng

5y↑5

😭😭😭😭😭😭
最近工作滿多挫折的，下班離開公司之後，總能從Ru的音樂世界找到一塊平靜的小小空間，受傷的心靈好像也得到撫慰了，謝謝Ru！有你的音樂真好！

Mikel

5y↑100

This song always makes me cry. The story behind it is so beautiful.

Yuki kun

5y↑1

@lakecityransom I agree. Also analyzing the song's meaning it kinda tells about Laguna's often visits to Deiling City just to see Julia.

lakecityransom

5y↑1

some FF8 spoilers

Its deeper when you know the origin for sure. An interesting tie-in is that Waltz for the Moon is a version of Eyes On Me where Squall meets Rinoa. The song is just a popular song at that point and happens to be played. In the end the song feels like the motivation to Laguna's triumph of will to capture the 2nd love of his life, Raine, as played out in the ending. As you played thru the story you could kind of see the same situation developing as with Julia and Raine wasn't sure about him.

Cesar Burgos

I agree bro

Ronald Pratama

5y↑11

Yep, the story actually was that of loving and admiring someone secretly, from a distance. In this particular story is the love between Julia and Laguna. :)

Tom D

4y↑3

Absolutely breathtaking! It actually makes me proud to be a human watching someone so talented playing such a beautiful song, which brings back so many good memories for me :)

Sergio Bobillier

4y↑3

This song always puts tears on my eyes, it is so beautiful, and also I feel nostalgic because of how much I enjoyed Final Fantasy VIII. I start to remember the moments when this song played in the game, and I cant help but to be touched by the story once more. Final Fantasy VIII was such a great game.

Thank you for such a lovely interpretation.

YoneTTEBAYO

Best worldwide piano cover for me 👌 keep it up ! Ru-chan 👏 back the time when my life was have no worries at all

seeker of light

3y↑2

my soul is consoled by this musical arrangement and i feel soothed by its melodious tune.
many have listened to music but this piece is different in its harmony and the tone it sounds just silences the noise around.

Branded Luxury

Love this ❤

Music Video Maestro

I want this to be the song for my first dance at my wedding

pastatats MTG

4y↑24

Flawless delivery, brings out every emotion of the song! The piano is such a majestic instrument. Keep it up ♥️

Ken Remi Jensen

5y↑3

I had to sing along some with this one 😅 I love FF8 and that part of the game is a bit emotional and you played it beautifully... I'm gonna go play FF8 remastered now 😃

FerAkira

4y↑1

This is the most beautiful FF song of all times ¡_¡ And your version is simply amazing! I cant stop tears of joy remembering mi childhood playing FFVIII with friends n_n

GryffonYori

Wonderful!! You played so gorgeous!! Thanks to the video, friend!! Congratulations!! Another awesome video!!

低空飛行ゆきお

5y↑56

ピアノだけで、歌詞と映像と感動、その全てが脳内再生しました。笑

FF8のeyes on meは、それまでのゲーム音楽を劇的に変化させた作品だと思っています。『sound』から『song』の時代とでも言うのかな。
しかも歌ったのがフェイ・ウォンさん。詞、曲、声。全てが素敵ですね😁

Black Moa

だよね〜

Matthew Worthy

Amazing song what I would love to hear some more final fantasy 8
Or even anything you are passionate about

Shareboo

Bravo! This is lovely.

Kaori S

3y↑1

Love this song❤️Nostalgia...

Sielith

5y↑14

Such nostalgia...FF8 is my favorite entry, and I adore Eyes On Me. You play it so well! I could listen to you do this all day.

Александр АОЕ

Thank you Ru) This song is so beautiful! It is my favorite song from FF8. Damn its so romantic :D

Hans Fausto Image and Motion

Ahhh! I saw your old cover of Eyes On Me! haha! Thank you for playing such wonderful pieces! You should try Xenogears!

maisdestroyer

Hi @ru just wondering if you could share the sheet for this i really love your rendition it's beautiful!! ❤️❤️

XIANG HUANG

So beautiful. Thank you!

m higgs

That was beautiful!

Yuri Bell

Love this song.... And you performed it perfectly! THANKS!

Picard13

4y↑1

Thank you for hitting my nostalgia right in the feels. This was beautifully done!

Erick Archundia

4y↑2

Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard......it's a lovely song. You are a gorgeous pianist!

Eduardo Ayala

I'm melting away ~
So much emotion.m in your piano. Thank you!

And thanks for putting the lyrics ❤

Dan Oliver Lim

i am learning piano from you ms ru! thank you for this performance!

Guy Mandude

4y↑2

this is my favorite theme from all the ff series. Its just beautiful

Eugene Alidio

Your rendition is very soothing to the heart and soul. Thank you. 😉

Renta Hutagaol

Thank you for this. So beautiful

Justin

5y↑1

Beautifully played, one day I hope I'll be able to play this!!

尬酒螺仔

5y↑5

真的是經典，已訂閱，謝謝妳演奏這麼美妙的旋律

Fabian Perez

4y↑1

Hermoso, no hay otra palabra. simplemente hermoso (que buenos recuerdos FFVIII)

Van Slade

4y↑1

I'm just hearing this for 1000000 time, and every time I hear you playing, I remember how perfect you are.

Joseph C

對的遊戲對的配樂找對的歌手演繹成就了經典之作

Jay-r Castillo

4y↑1

This is so wonderful!, I feel like I'm back in 1998 which is an awesome year!. 😊

Javier

4y↑2

even as a kid i can tell how in loved Squall and Riona are. Thanks to this song, it cemented perfectly.

Dee Patria

Thanks Ru, love this song, bring back memories

VPJose

5y↑23

I love this cover, just listening to it reminds me of my childhood, so I love all of your covers

Malawar

4y↑1

By far the best version of one of the most beautiful piano songs in existence. This is in my top 3 favorite videos across all of YouTube!

David Adino Wong

You brought it out so beautifully, awesome performance there

Renaissance Man

4y↑1

This is definitely one of the better tracks from FFVIII. Thanks for doing the piano cover on this!

Tom Ongchangco

4y↑1

My childhood... I keep on coming back here from time to time... Thanks RuRu

P. S

4y↑2

This is my favorite ff song, it's soundtrack is one of the reasons I enjoyed ff8 over others
美しい歌です

おいっす

5y↑3

ブラボー！演奏もピアノも素晴らしいですね。

Rence T

Just exactly how I want it to be played! Good job Ru!

W M

@Ru's Piano Ru - No matter how hard it may be, we are there cheering and believing in you. Thank you always for these beautiful piano plays. Just as how you made my day, I hope you are also happy 谢谢

Fandy Ashura

4y↑10

the part when "if frown is shown then" is so good... i love how you play it that way
amazing interpretation...
love from Indonesia...

Y Qisq

5y↑21

This is one of those songs that fits perfectly to the expression of piano.

Fishing guild

懐かしいなぁ^_^
いつもいつも素敵な演奏ありがとうございます!!^_^
凄く癒やされます(^^)RuRuさんのピアノ大好きです!

Daniel StarCrow

I love this song, it is my favorite among all.Thank you for performing this music for all of us.

Hélio Miasato

5y↑17

This performance and interpretation of the music was captivating! The arrangement is superb!

Ru's Piano Ru味春捲

5y↑7

I'm really glad you like my music :)

Jurianto Khoo

This is best of the best of all piano cover of FFVIII Eyes on Me, you play with feeling. Excellent

Ninja Adventure in Japan

I love this song!!

Danilo

Hello! I love your videos and how u perform! Could u play an version of Melodies Of Life from Final Fantasy IX ? Greetings from Brazil!

Aren

Really nicely done!

Mikey Faulkner

5y↑81

Watching you play is such a treat. Your passion for music and art is expressed in every key played. Continue your path and I foresee a bright future in your music career. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. 👏

Ru's Piano Ru味春捲

5y↑13

Thank you very much, It's my pleasure:)

Juan Marcelo Suárez Quercetti

Muy bueno! Genia

Lionheart

Thank you so much for this. One of my favorite songs of all time.

Rufino Neto

3y↑2

perfeito!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Piano Hero

好舒服的旋律，一早起床聽到心情都好起來了☺

V. Keog

4y↑2

Absolutely love it! You are amazing! Thanks for sharing your beautiful talent.....
No need to hide that beautiful face either 😉

B.K. Tuth

5y↑58

Best "Eyes on me" cover I have heard. Would u please cover "Never Ending Dream" - Tearring Saga OST by Liz Constantine. I'm really looking forward for your cover of this wonderful song. Thanks so much for your beautiful play!