Green Eyes
Joseph Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Could′ve been the way
The moonlight hit the dashboard
Passenger window rolled down
That got me thinking
There's something we should talk about
It′s not worth waiting out

I can give you space if you need it
You can walk away, I'm not leaving
There's pride in my mouth, I got used to the taste
But I′ll swallow it now and I′ll be first to say

Those green eyes are my green light
I'm giving up on control
You see red lights
I see me blowing straight through to you
If we′re headed for the cliffside
I'm ready for the fall, if you know me at all
You know I don′t need lights to decide
I'm not changing my mind

We could bath play the pretender
Circling round this parking lot
While one of us still remembers
We′re lucky to have what we've got

We're taking the room for breathing
You can walk away, I′m not leaving
There′s pride in your mouth, you got used to the taste
Can you swallow it now when you hear me say

Those green eyes are my green light
I'm giving up on control
You see red lights
I see me blowing straight through to you
If we′re headed for the cliffside
I'm ready for the fall, if you know me at all
You know I don′t need lights to decide
I'm not changing my mind

Thought I could read you
But I lost my place
Now we′re on different pages, I need you
Thought I could read you
But I lost my place
Now we're on different pages, I need you

Thought I could read you
But I lost my place
Now we're on different pages, I need you
Thought I could read you
But I lost my place
Now we′re on different pages

Those green eyes are my green light
I′m giving up on control
You see red lights
I see me blowing straight through to you
If we're headed for the cliffside
I′m ready for the fall, if you know me at all




You know I don't need lights to decide
I′m not changing my mind

Overall Meaning

The song "Green Eyes" by Joseph is a love song that talks about communication and connection between two people in a relationship. The lyrics describe a scene where the moon is shining on the dashboard and the passenger side window is rolled down, making the singer reflect on the necessity to have an important conversation with their partner. The singer doesn't want to hold back their feelings and suggests that they should talk about what's causing tension between them. The chorus emphasizes the importance of the partner's green eyes, which serve as a green light, a sign to move forward with their relationship without looking back, even if there are red flags that could risk their love. The singer is willing to risk it all because they know deep down that their heart doesn't need any external factors to make a decision about their love, and it won't change.


The lyrics also highlight the vulnerability of both parties in the relationship, both acknowledging they have pride, but willing to set it aside to save the relationship. The song also sheds light on the fear of losing each other and ending up on "different pages." However, the singer reaches out to their partner, saying- "I need you", showing how important the relationship is to them.


Overall, "Green Eyes" is a beautiful and sincere song about taking risks, trusting one another, and embracing the unknown that life throws at us.


Line by Line Meaning

Could've been the way
Perhaps it was because of the way


The moonlight hit the dashboard
The moonlight shone on the car's dashboard


Passenger window rolled down
The car window on the passenger side was open


That got me thinking
This made me start to consider


There's something we should talk about
There is a topic that we need to discuss


It's not worth waiting out
It's not worth delaying or avoiding the conversation


I can give you space if you need it
I can let you have some distance if that's what you require


You can walk away, I'm not leaving
You are free to leave, but I will stay put


There's pride in my mouth, I got used to the taste
I am filled with pride, I have grown accustomed to this feeling


But I'll swallow it now and I'll be first to say
But I am willing to let go of my pride and be the first one to speak up


Those green eyes are my green light
Your green eyes are signalling to me that I should proceed


I'm giving up on control
I am relinquishing my need for control


You see red lights
You perceive cautionary signals


I see me blowing straight through to you
I see myself charging straight ahead towards you


If we're headed for the cliffside
If we are headed towards disaster


I'm ready for the fall, if you know me at all
I am prepared for the worst outcome, if you truly understand who I am


You know I don't need lights to decide
You know that I am capable of making decisions without any assistance


We could bath play the pretender
We could pretend and deceive ourselves


Circling round this parking lot
Driving our car around this parking area


While one of us still remembers
While one of us still holds onto the memories


We're taking the room for breathing
We are taking a moment to breathe and collect ourselves


There's pride in your mouth, you got used to the taste
You are also filled with pride and have grown accustomed to it


Can you swallow it now when you hear me say
Are you capable of suppressing your pride after hearing me speak


Thought I could read you
I thought I could understand you


But I lost my place
But I lost my way or understanding


Now we're on different pages, I need you
Now we have different perspectives and I require your assistance


Those green eyes are my green light
Your green eyes are still signalling for me to go ahead


I'm giving up on control
I am completely relinquishing my need for control


If we're headed for the cliffside
If we are approaching danger


I'm ready for the fall, if you know me at all
I am equipped for the worst-case scenario as you know me well


You know I don't need lights to decide
You are aware of my capability to make decisions without external guidance


I'm not changing my mind
I am not going to alter my stance




Writer(s): Joseph, Trent Dabbs

Contributed by Kaitlyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@sharoncohen3803

the first ever song that gave me chills to the point where I teared up. This never happened before.

@mertmunson1417

Not my first time, but me as well. Its also a song that makes time travel possible. Takes me back to a day I'll never forget.

@butterzworth

Ditto... Think this might be my fave from the album

@rurallivity3595

Ladies...This performance of vulnerability and honesty is BEYOND beautiful. I love how y'all put my feelings in pure poetry. I HAD to do the most and comment...Much love from VA! ❤❤❤

@sorahatumna1095

I had the great fortune of being introduced to them live at a Shins concert. The harmonies were so powerful you could literally feel them vibrating your skin, making your whole body tingle. If you have the opportunity, pleas hear their music in person. The recordings simply don't have the same raw physicality.

@shawngossard3619

Never heard them until I saw them perform live at a The Shins concert.. My god what an amazing surprise! They blew my mind.

@jessicaworswick9352

If this is the first you’re hearing them do yourself a favor and listen to their Tiny Desk from NPR

@shayxie8318

Good looking out!

@shayxie8318

okay I actually remember them from that Tiny Desk but failed to follow through on following the band :(

@dogdaybreak3157

Or better yet, search for Joseph and Crypt Sessions, ATO Sessions, Mahogany Sessions, SOFAR. All are amazing!

More Comments

More Versions