The song tells the story of a failed relationship, which although initially started off well (your arms around me tight / everything felt so right), has left Clarkson devastated (now I can't breathe / no I can't sleep / I'm barely hanging on). She regrets having allowed herself to be vulnerable to him (opened up and let you in / you made me feel alright for once in my life), and has resolved that no matter how much she is actually hurting, he will not get the satisfaction of seeing her cry (you won't get to see the tears I cry / behind these hazel eyes).
The single was successful, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 in the UK, #4 in Canada, #6 in Australia, #7 in New Zealand and #4 in Ireland.
Behind These Hazel Eyes
Kelly Clarkson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh-oh, oh, oh
Seems like just yesterday
You were a part of me
I used to stand so tall
I used to be so strong
Your arms around me tight
Everything, it felt so right
Unbreakable, like nothing could go wrong
Now I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hanging on
Here I am
Once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it
Can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
I told you everything
Opened up and let you in
You made me feel alright for once in my life
Now all that's left of me
Is what I pretend to be
So together, but so broken up inside
'Cause I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hanging on
Here I am
Once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it
Can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Swallow me then spit me out
For hating you, I blame myself
Seeing you, it kills me now
No, I don't cry
On the outside, anymore
Anymore
Here I am
Once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it
Can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Here I am
Once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it
Can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Kelly Clarkson's "Behind These Hazel Eyes" is an emotional song about the pain and heartbreak of a failed relationship, with the singer struggling to hold on to the image of a perfect and unbreakable love that she once had with her partner before it all fell apart. The first verse establishes the image of a strong and secure relationship that the singer once had. The second verse, however, reveals that the relationship has ended and the singer is struggling to hold on to the image of perfection. She is now pretending to be okay, but deep down, she is broken and hurt, unable to stop thinking about her ex-partner.
The chorus of the song lays bare the singer's heartbreak, as she admits she is "torn into pieces" and can't deny or pretend it away. She "thought you were the one," but now she is left to deal with the pain alone. The bridge details her struggle to move on, as she blames herself for "hating" her ex-partner and tries to convince herself that she has stopped crying on the outside, even though it's clear she is still hurting deeply.
Overall, "Behind These Hazel Eyes" is a powerful and poignant anthem of heartbreak that captures the raw pain of a failed relationship and the struggle to move on. Through the lyrics, Kelly Clarkson taps into the universal emotions of love and loss, creating a relatable and stirring ballad that has touched the hearts of many.
Line by Line Meaning
Seems like just yesterday
It feels like it wasn't too long ago that things were going well.
You were a part of me
Your presence in my life was a significant part of my identity.
I used to stand so tall
I used to feel confident and secure in myself.
I used to be so strong
I used to be able to handle difficult situations with ease.
Your arms around me tight
Being close to you made me feel safe and loved.
Everything, it felt so right
Being with you just made sense and felt natural.
Unbreakable, like nothing could go wrong
Our relationship felt so stable and strong that nothing could ruin it.
Now I can't breathe
The pain is suffocating and overwhelming.
No, I can't sleep
The events have left me feeling anxious and unable to rest.
I'm barely hanging on
My emotional state is precarious, and I'm just trying to survive.
Here I am
Despite everything, I'm still here living through the pain.
Once again
This isn't the first time I've felt this way.
I'm torn into pieces
The pain has shattered me apart.
Can't deny it
I can't pretend like everything is okay.
Can't pretend
I can't fake happiness or hide what I'm truly feeling.
Just thought you were the one
You were the person I believed could make everything right for me.
Broken up, deep inside
I'm devastated and heartbroken to my core.
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
I won't let you see me vulnerable or emotional.
Behind these hazel eyes
My true feelings are hidden away, living deep within me.
Swallow me then spit me out
You took me in, only to reject me cruelly.
For hating you, I blame myself
I feel guilty for ever having let you into my life and loving you.
Seeing you, it kills me now
Being reminded of you only causes me pain.
No, I don't cry
I won't let you see me vulnerable or emotional.
On the outside, anymore
I've learned to keep my emotions hidden and locked away.
Anymore
I've grown stronger and wiser, and I won't let you hurt me again.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing
Written by: Martin Max Sandberg, Kelly Brianne Clarkson, Lukasz Gottwald
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mason6654
Lyrics...
Oh-oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh
Seems like just yesterday
You were a part of me
I used to stand so tall
I used to be so strong
Your arms around me tight
Everything, it felt so right
Unbreakable, like nothing could go wrong
Now I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hanging on
Here I am
Once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it
Can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
I told you everything
Opened up and let you in
You made me feel alright for once in my life
Now all that's left of me
Is what I pretend to be
So together, but so broken up inside
'Cause I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hanging on
Here I am
Once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it
Can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Swallow me then spit me out
For hating you, I blame myself
Seeing you, it kills me now
No, I don't cry
On the outside, anymore
Anymore
Here I am
Once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it
Can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Here I am
Once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it
Can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
@bams_9090
Oh-oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh
Seems like just yesterday
You were a part of me
I used to stand so tall
I used to be so strong
Your arms around me tight
Everything, it felt so right
Unbreakable, like nothin' could go wrong
Now I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hanging on
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
I told you everything
Opened up and let you in
You made me feel alright
For once in my life
Now all that's left of me
Is what I pretend to be
So together, but so broken up inside
'Cause I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hangin' on
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Swallow me then spit me out
For hating you, I blame myself
Seeing you it kills me now
No, I don't cry on the outside
Anymore
Anymore
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
@shadowxfax
I love how "pop" in the 2000' was very emo/rock ish i miss this era
@miriamkatz908
:( yep
@jhc4090
Now we have masterpieces like "anaconda" 🙄
@shubhamupmanyu9082
the best version of POP
@geelicon
@@jhc4090 Buddy, that song is 5 year old now, we have some better pop tunes
@savannahadkins1441
Veronica Williams it was better
@weihenangustan7097
Kelly Clarkson's rock era can never be forgotten
@Capq-qz5ye
Her pop-rock era was my favorite, she really rocked it 😍👌🏼
@anyasparrow21
This song is a perfect example of "hits different when you're older" 💜
@nathaliekovacs8140
Absolutely