Open Your Eyes
Liv Dawson Lyrics

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I should've left but now I've stayed too long
And the picture in my head is getting lost
What have I done? I've caught it up in your mind
Have you forgotten how you used to shine?

How much can you take?
How many mistakes will stop me
Before you break?

What do you see when you look at me?
I'll never be what you need
So open your eyes to see who I am tonight
How many nights? how many days?
Can you pretend to look away
So open your eyes to see who I am tonight

You should've seen the rhythm in my face
But you are holding me too tight in your embrace
I should've said what I've always known
But I was too afraid to be alone

I want you to stay
But you will find me standing in your way
Not today

What do you see when you look at me?
I'll never be what you need
So open your eyes to see who I am tonight
How many nights? How many days?

Can you pretend to look away
So open your eyes to see who I am tonight

Overall Meaning

Liv Dawson's "Open Your Eyes" explores the complexity of a failing relationship where one partner feels compelled to stay, even though they know it's time to leave. The songwriter expresses her regret for not leaving sooner, lamenting that her vision of the relationship is now distorted. The partner's clingy behavior makes things worse, with the singer feeling trapped and unable to escape. The opening lines, "I should've left but now I've stayed too long/And the picture in my head is getting lost," express confusion and regret: she realized she was wasting time trying to make the relationship work, and now she's not even sure what she wants anymore.

As the song develops, the lyrics highlight the frustration of being stuck in a relationship where the other partner has unreasonable expectations. The lines "What do you see when you look at me? / I'll never be what you need" emphasize the singer's awareness that she cannot provide what the other partner wants from her. Despite this, she still hopes they can find a way to coexist, with the line "I want you to stay" expressing her desire for the relationship to work. But she's aware that this is unlikely, given the tension between them. The final lines, "So open your eyes to see who I am tonight / How many nights? How many days? / Can you pretend to look away / So open your eyes to see who I am tonight," captures the tension of a relationship's final moments: the singer is fully aware that it's nearly over, but she's still hoping for one last chance to make things right.

Line by Line Meaning

I should've left but now I've stayed too long
I stayed longer than I should have and I am starting to regret it

And the picture in my head is getting lost
I am losing the image of what I wanted things to be

What have I done? I've caught it up in your mind
I've become trapped in your thoughts and can't escape

Have you forgotten how you used to shine?
I miss the way you used to be and wish you could go back to how you were

How much can you take?
I am wondering how much you can handle before breaking

How many mistakes will stop me
I am questioning how many mistakes I can make before you give up on me

Before you break?
I am worried that you will reach a breaking point

What do you see when you look at me?
I am curious about your perception of me

I'll never be what you need
I know deep down that I am not what you want or need

So open your eyes to see who I am tonight
I want you to see me for who I truly am right now

How many nights? how many days?
I wonder how long you will continue to ignore my true self

Can you pretend to look away
I am questioning if you are intentionally ignoring the real me

You should've seen the rhythm in my face
You should have been able to tell how I was truly feeling from my facial expressions

But you are holding me too tight in your embrace
You are holding me so tightly that I feel trapped

I should've said what I've always known
I regret not expressing how I truly feel to you earlier

But I was too afraid to be alone
I was scared that if I said what I truly felt, I would end up alone

I want you to stay
I am not ready to let go of you yet

But you will find me standing in your way
You will soon realize that I am not the right person for you and I am standing in the way of your happiness

Not today
I am not ready to let you go right now

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Liv Dawson, Guy Lawrence, James Napier, Oz Moses

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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