Joseph Arthur (born September 28, 1971) is an American contemporary singer-… Read Full Bio ↴Joseph Arthur (born September 28, 1971) is an American contemporary singer-songwriter from Akron, Ohio. He is known for his melodic compositions combined with swirling choruses. He was discovered by Peter Gabriel in the mid-'90s and signed to Gabriel's Real World label in 1996. Arthur's first album, Big City Secrets, was released in 1997 to critical acclaim.

In 2006, Arthur's song "In the Sun" was covered by Michael Stipe (of R.E.M.) and Coldplay singer Chris Martin. Released for a Hurricane Katrina Relief program, the EP includes six versions of the cover, one of which has Arthur himself singing with Stipe.

Arthur established his own record label, Lonely Astronaut Records, in 2006, and released two studio albums, Let's Just Be (2007) and Temporary People (2008) with backing band The Lonely Astronauts. Arthur subsequently returned to performing and recording as a solo artist, releasing The Graduation Ceremony in 2011 and the double album, Redemption City in 2012.

Arthur is also an acclaimed painter and designer. His artwork has graced the sleeves of his entire discography; the sleeve design for his 1999 album entitled Vacancy was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.

Eyes On My Back
Joseph Arthur Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wish I had
Open eyes
On my back
So I could see

My life
Going past
Seems when

It's good

Everything
Goes to fast
And when it's gone
You can never
Get it back

Try and take a picture
Through a dirty window
Try to touch your shadow
Fading when you follow

I been alone
For so long
It's hard to track
Down in a hole

No one knows
In the black
I know that soon
All the dogs

Will attack
I wish I had

Open eyes
On my back

Overall Meaning

In Joseph Arthur's song "Eyes On My Back," he wishes he had open eyes on his back so he could see his life going past. He talks about how when things are good, they go too fast, and when they're gone, you can never get them back. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and regret as the singer reflects on lost moments and missed opportunities.

The lines "Try and take a picture / Through a dirty window / Try to touch your shadow / Fading when you follow" suggest that the singer is struggling to hold onto memories and experiences that are slipping away. He feels alone and trapped in a hole, and he knows that an impending attack from "all the dogs" is coming soon.

Overall, "Eyes On My Back" is a reflective and introspective song that explores themes of time, loss, and regret. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person wrestling with the passage of time and attempting to hold onto the fleeting moments of life.

Line by Line Meaning

I wish I had
The singer expresses his desire for something

Open eyes
The singer desires a certain ability

On my back
The desired location of the ability is specified

So I could see
The artist explains what the ability would allow him to do

My life
The artist shifts to discussing his life in general

Going past
The singer views his life as being in motion and constantly moving forward

Seems when
The singer tempers his previous statement with the word 'seems,' suggesting that his perspective may not be entirely accurate

It's good
The artist believes that certain events in his life are positive

Everything
The artist expands his observation beyond just a single event

Goes too fast
The artist is frustrated by the speed at which time seems to be passing

And when it's gone
The singer discusses events that have already occurred

You can never
The artist makes a general observation about the nature of time and events

Get it back
The singer laments his inability to recapture lost opportunities

Try and take a picture
The singer uses a metaphorical scenario to highlight the difficulty in capturing something fleeting

Through a dirty window
The metaphorical scenario is further elaborated upon with a setting

Try to touch your shadow
The metaphor is shifted to a more concrete example

Fading when you follow
The artist describes something that is disappearing as it is being pursued

I been alone
The singer changes the topic to his personal isolation

For so long
The duration of the singer's loneliness is emphasized

It's hard to track
The artist finds it difficult to maintain a sense of direction or purpose

Down in a hole
The metaphor suggests a sense of being trapped or buried

No one knows
The artist emphasizes his solitude

In the black
The metaphor suggests a sense of darkness or emptiness

I know that soon
Despite his isolation, the artist retains a sense of anticipation

All the dogs
The metaphor suggests a sense of danger or threat

Will attack
The singer's anticipation is realized in the form of impending conflict

I wish I had
The singer returns to his original sentiment

Open eyes
The artist reiterates the ability he desires

On my back
The desired location of the ability is restated

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: BARDI JOHANNSSON, JOSEPH LYBURN ARTHUR, KEREN ANN ZEIDEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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