Angel Eyes
Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Angel eyes, am I deceived or did you sigh?
For all I know you let you love light
Shine on me
Angel eyes, you never close, who's got the time?
I can wait until your love light
Shine on me
Angel eyes, seems to me you fill the skies
I'm far below so let your love light
Shine on me
Angel eyes, on the wing and open wide




No matter how high the moon
Shine down on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Angel Eyes by Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music refer to the feeling of being deeply infatuated with someone, who is seemingly beyond reach. The opening line introduces the question of whether the person with the 'angel eyes' has shown an interest in the singer or not. The lyrics then express a strong desire for this person to show their affection, symbolized by the light of love shining on the singer. The allusion to angelic imagery adds to the idea of perfection, something that is unattainable yet tantalizingly close. The repetition of the phrase 'Shine on me' emphasizes the craving the singer has for this person's attention.


As the lyrics continue, the idea of the person with 'angel eyes' being unreachable is further reinforced. The idea of their eyes never closing and the frantic question of who has the time hints at someone who is always on the go, too busy for love, or perhaps someone who is prioritizing someone else. The desperate plea to let the love light shine down on the singer adds another layer to the sense of yearning.


The final lines of the song refer to the person with 'angel eyes' being free and unencumbered, flying on the wing, while the singer is stuck far below. The mention of the moon highlights the distance between them, while the continued repetition of 'shine down on me' underlines the desire for this love to be reciprocated.


Line by Line Meaning

Angel eyes, am I deceived or did you sigh?
I can't tell if you've just sighed, or if I'm being fooled by your captivating gaze, Angel.


For all I know you let you love light Shine on me
Perhaps you're already letting your love shine on me, Angel, without me realizing it.


Angel eyes, you never close, who's got the time?
You seem to never blink, Angel. How can anyone have the time to resist your charm?


I can wait until your love light Shine on me
I am more than willing to wait for you to show me your love, Angel.


Angel eyes, seems to me you fill the skies
Your gaze is so intense, Angel, that you seem to be filling up the entire sky.


I'm far below so let your love light Shine on me
Even though I am below you, Angel, I hope you can let your love shine upon me.


Angel eyes, on the wing and open wide
You seem to be ready to take flight with your open, welcoming eyes, Angel.


No matter how high the moon Shine down on me
Even if the moon is high above, I hope your love and light can shine down on me, Angel.




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Earl Brent, Matt Dennis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@cookieinthewoods

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how sweet the bass playing is on this track 👌

@scott-gy6fe

Possibly coolest looking bass player ever and this was and still is one of my fav!!!

@thesound-chameleonman3580

Gary Tibbs.

@rcs8808

@@thesound-chameleonman3580 the best

@jamesjackson-df1hi

I AGREE ABSOLUTELY, GARY TIBBS OF ADAM AND THE ANTS FAME.

@extantia

Agreed-- he also did a nice job on "Oh Yeah" and "Same Old Scene"-- the whole "Flesh and Blood" album for that matter!

11 More Replies...

@Sergiovision

Very modern for 1979, way ahead of its time. This is pure chique pop!

@jackgrant9301

It was 1979, the year the 80s started.

@stuartwray6175

​​@@jackgrant9301some have said the eighties began with Bowie's Isolar II tour, 1978.

@davidleck8212

8 years ago I was sitting next to my partner and we had a pregnancy test, the radio was on and the very second she turned to me and said " I'm pregnant" this song started , all the emotions I felt, elation, fear, worry, happiness and apprehension , now every time I hear it it reminds me how lucky I am to have my wonderful son and also that moment in time, still as fresh as at the moment it happened..

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