Angel Eyes
Frank Sinatra with Count Basie & the Orchestra Lyrics


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I try to think that love's not around
But it's uncomfortably near
My old heart ain't gaining no ground
Because my angel eyes ain't here

Angel eyes, that old devil sent
They glow unbearably bright
Need I say that my love's misspent
Misspent with angel eyes tonight

So drink up all you people
Order anything you see
Have fun you happy people
The laughs and the jokes on me

Pardon me but I got to run
The fact's uncommonly clear
Got to find who's now number one
And why my angel eyes
Oh, where is my angel eyes





Excuse me while I disappear

Overall Meaning

"Angel Eyes" is a song originally written for the 1946 film "Jennifer," but it wasn't until Frank Sinatra and his longtime collaborator, Count Basie, recorded it in 1962 with the Count Basie Orchestra that it became a classic. The song refers to the pain of lost love and the constant reminder of that love in the form of "angel eyes." Sinatra sings of trying to convince himself that love is not around, but is constantly reminded of it because of the absence of his love's "angel eyes." The phrase "angel eyes" is used to describe the beauty and brightness of his love's eyes, which glow unbearably bright and leave him feeling lovesick and longing for her.


The song continues with Sinatra acknowledging that his love for his angel eyes is a lost cause, and he watches as others around him enjoy themselves while he endures his pain. He then realizes that he must run away to try and forget his love, and the song ends with him disappearing to search for someone else to fill the void left by his angel eyes. Overall, the song captures the heartache and despair that comes with lost love, and Sinatra's smooth and emotive vocals add to the song's emotional depth and impact.


Line by Line Meaning

I try to think that love's not around
I deliberately pretend that love isn't present


But it's uncomfortably near
Despite my efforts, love is still very close and affecting me


My old heart ain't gaining no ground
My heart is not recovering or making any progress


Because my angel eyes ain't here
I'm sad and heartbroken because the person with angelic eyes is absent


Angel eyes, that old devil sent
The person with the heavenly eyes is both captivating and tempting


They glow unbearably bright
Their eyes shine so brilliantly that it's almost too much to handle


Need I say that my love's misspent
My love and devotion to this person is pointless


Misspent with angel eyes tonight
My time spent with this person is unfulfilling and leaves me wanting more


So drink up all you people
Everyone else can enjoy themselves and celebrate freely


Order anything you see
Indulge in whatever you desire


Have fun you happy people
Enjoy yourselves because you're the fortunate ones


The laughs and the jokes on me
I'm the butt of the joke and everyone is laughing at my expense


Pardon me but I got to run
I must leave this situation immediately


The fact's uncommonly clear
It's painfully obvious that I need to go


Got to find who's now number one
I need to identify who has taken the place of the person I loved


And why my angel eyes
I need to figure out why the person with angelic eyes is no longer around


Oh, where is my angel eyes
I'm searching for the person who captured my heart with their eyes


Excuse me while I disappear
I need to exit this situation and be left alone with my thoughts




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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