Irene's older brother, Roy Kral, was a successful musician when Irene started singing professionally as a teenager. She sung with bands on tours led by Woody Herman and Chubby Jackson, former Herman bass player.
Irene joined Maynard Ferguson's band in the late 1950s and sang with groups led by Stan Kenton and Shelly Manne.
Irene then started a solo career until her death at 46 years of age. She was a ballad singer who stated that Carmen McRae was one of her inspirations.
Irene was made more famous posthumously when Clint Eastwood used her recordings in his 1995 movie, The Bridges of Madison County.
(from Wikipedia)
When I Look In Your Eyes
Irene Kral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see the wisdom of the world in your eyes
I see the sadness of a thousand goodbyes
When I look in your eyes
And it is no surprise
To see the softness of the moon in your eyes
The gentle sparkle of the stars in the skies
When I look in your eyes
I see the deepness of the sea
I see the deepness of our love
The love I feel you feel for me
Autumn comes, summer dies
I see the passing of the years in your eyes
And when we part there'll be no tears, no
goodbyes
I'll just look into your eyes
Those eyes so wise, so warm, so real
How I love the world your eyes reveal
In Irene Kral's song When I Look In Your Eyes, the lyrics describe the power of love and the unspoken communication that occurs just through looking into someone's eyes. The chorus "When I look in your eyes, I see the wisdom of the world in your eyes" implies that the person being sung to holds a wealth of knowledge and understanding that transcends mere words. This is backed up by the following line "I see the sadness of a thousand goodbyes" which suggests that the person has experienced great loss and has the emotional depth to truly understand the meaning of goodbyes.
The song continues to paint a picture of the other person's eyes as being representative of the beauty of nature - "To see the softness of the moon in your eyes, the gentle sparkle of the stars in the skies." This suggests that the person has a sort of magical quality to them, and that looking into their eyes can transport the singer to a different world. The next verse talks about the deepness of the sea and how it's reflected in the other person's eyes, implying that their love is as boundless and deep as the ocean itself.
The third and final verse brings the theme of time to the forefront, with the line "Autumn comes, summer dies, I see the passing of the years in your eyes." This ties in with the earlier reference to "the sadness of a thousand goodbyes" and suggests that the person being sung to has lived a long and meaningful life. The final line of the song "How I love the world your eyes reveal" sums up the entire sentiment of the song, which is that looking into someone's eyes can reveal so much about who they are as a person.
Line by Line Meaning
When I look in your eyes
I see through to your soul
I see the wisdom of the world in your eyes
The knowledge and insight you possess shines through
I see the sadness of a thousand goodbyes
You have experienced pain and heartbreak, and it's evident
And it is no surprise
It's expected
To see the softness of the moon in your eyes
Gentleness and kindness radiate from within you
The gentle sparkle of the stars in the skies
Your eyes hold a special brightness that's out of this world
In your eyes
I find everything I need
I see the deepness of the sea
I can sense the vastness of your emotions
I see the deepness of our love
Our connection goes beyond the surface
The love I feel you feel for me
We both have deep, strong feelings for each other
Autumn comes, summer dies
Seasons pass, but our love stays strong
I see the passing of the years in your eyes
Time has left its mark on you, but it only adds to your beauty and grace
And when we part there'll be no tears, no goodbyes
We'll always find our way back to each other, no matter what happens
I'll just look into your eyes
Your eyes give me all the reassurance I need
Those eyes so wise, so warm, so real
You are truly special and hold so much depth and authenticity
How I love the world your eyes reveal
There's a whole other universe in your eyes, and I am grateful to be able to see it
Contributed by Jackson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@zkarenna
I've heard this so many many times and it still takes my breath away. A favorite lp...on every song, she comes from that centered stillness and depth that I always looked for. she makes it seem as though she lives there. exquisite.
@noopieflace
When you combine one of the purest voices in, not just jazz, but all styles of singing with one of the most beautiful songs ever written, you get this!!!!!
@edenlowry
Incomparable artist, gone too soon.
@dangervich
The Kral who could sing jazz. Carmen McRae wrote the liner notes and suggested that anyone who loves beauty ought to have this album. What a pity she died so young. Irene's brother Roy was the Roy in the comedy jazz act, Jackie and Roy. They did a hilarious Autumn in New York, a NY see with tilting sidewalks, as if the singers were drunk. Thanks for posting. I have this album and love it.
@ccaammiinniiito2
It's 9:06 pm out here on the coast. And you know what, this singer is so good I'm pulling an all-nighter to listen to wonderful music. I am familiar with her brother's work (Roy Kral) but she just blows me away with this smokey jazz!
@orlando4166
Es único, puede ser considerado para la época cuando se grabó como uno de los mejores trabajo hecho por estos extraordinarios artistas. Qué nota, qué estilo y cómo trasmiten, me gusta muchísimo
@margicates553
Beautiful human delivery
@matufeliciano8273
They were all the best. It was a reminiscence
@barryv9733
flawless. immortal. thank you
@deeliciousplum
This is quite a beautiful piece.