As well as her Congolese roots, Daulne's cross-genre style may result from her varied past: Her father, a Belgian, was killed during the revolution while her mother was pregnant with her. The remainder of the family fled to the forests and found refuge with a tribe of pygmies. Daulne was raised primarily in Europe, but when she heard a recording of traditional pygmy music at age 20, she decided to return to Africa to learn about her heritage. She was trained in pygmy onomatopoeic vocal techniques before returning to Europe to found Zap Mama.
Damn Your Eyes
Zap Mama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in complete control
That's what I tell myself
I've got a mind of my own
I'll be alright alone
Don't need anybody else
I gave myself a good talking to
No more being a fool for you
And all I remember
Is how you make me want to surrender
damn your eyes
For taking my breath away
For making me wanna say
Damn your eyes
For getting my hopes up high
For making me fall in love again
Damn your eyes
it's always the same
You say that you'll change
Somehow you never do
I believe all your lies
But look in your eyes
You make it all seem true
I guess I see what I wanna see
Or is it my heart just deceiving me
But with a look I know so well
I fall completely under you spell
damn your eyes
For taking my breath away
For making me wanna stay
Damn your eyes
For getting my hopes up high
For making me fall in love again
Damn your eyes
you keep deliberately deceiving me
Making me see what I wanna see
damn your eyes
For taking my breath away
For making me wanna say
Damn your eyes
For getting my hopes up high
For making me fall in love again
Damn your eyes
For taking my breath away
For making me wanna stay
Damn your eyes
For getting my hopes up high
For making me wanna say
Zap Mama's song "Damn Your Eyes" is a powerful expression of frustration and contradictory feelings towards a romantic partner who has caused emotional pain. The lyrics suggest a sense of agency, with the singer claiming that she is in complete control, and needs no one else. However, it becomes clear that this sense of control is a form of self-deception, as the one who causes her to lose control is the very same person she is trying to resist. The singer admits that she believes the lies of her partner, even though she knows they are not true, and blames them for her lack of agency and vulnerability.
The phrase "damn your eyes" is repeated throughout the song, suggesting that the singer is caught in a cyclical pattern of being drawn in by the charm and deceit of the partner, only to be hurt again and again. The repetition and intensity of this phrase also communicates a strong sense of anger, as though the singer is both blaming and cursing her partner for the emotional pain they have caused.
Line by Line Meaning
I can do what I want
Expressing personal independence and the ability to make her own decisions.
I'm in complete control
Feeling confident in her own abilities.
That's what I tell myself
Self-affirmation of her control.
I've got a mind of my own
Asserting her autonomy.
I'll be alright alone
Comfortable with being single.
Don't need anybody else
Not relying on anyone else for happiness or validation.
I gave myself a good talking to
Holding herself accountable for past mistakes.
No more being a fool for you
Resolving to not fall for the same lies and manipulation.
Now that I see you
Despite her previous resolve, she sees the person who has hurt her.
And all I remember
Reflecting on all the times this person has failed her.
Is how you make me want to surrender
Despite the hurt and past failures, she still feels powerless around this person.
damn your eyes
Expressing anger and frustration at how this person affects her.
For taking my breath away
The person's very presence takes her breath away, but not in a positive way.
For making me wanna say
The person's actions are causing her to have a strong emotional reaction.
For getting my hopes up high
Promising her things they are not willing to deliver on.
For making me fall in love again
Despite everything, she still has feelings for this person.
it's always the same
Reflecting on the cyclical nature of their relationship.
You say that you'll change
The person makes empty promises of changing their behavior.
Somehow you never do
Despite their promises, they never actually improve.
I believe all your lies
Despite knowing that they are lying, she still falls for it.
But look in your eyes
The person's eyes are manipulating her into believing their lies.
You make it all seem true
Despite her logical mind, the person's manipulation makes everything seem real.
I guess I see what I wanna see
Admitting to herself that she is blinded by her own emotions.
Or is it my heart just deceiving me
Questioning if she truly feels this way or if her emotions are leading her astray.
But with a look I know so well
Despite the doubts, she still falls for the same old tricks.
I fall completely under your spell
Admitting to being powerless against this person's manipulations.
you keep deliberately deceiving me
Recognizing that the person is intentionally manipulating her.
Making me see what I wanna see
Admitting to being blinded by her own emotions and desires.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barbara Wyrick, Steve Bogard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-er1qw4vc8n
Oh man.....simply amazing...
@KyleEngen1
This is a great song, and Etta James is a force of nature, but this version gives me chills everytime.
@candela.Infiniti
❤
@CrochetStudent36
Never heard Etta's version but, this is so 🔥!!
@alfred1138
Just Beautiful.
@Npi-ew2vy
J'aime toujours et encore, cette voix et ce son!
@jimmynabal4588
Plein de souvenirs!...😚
@1Ma9iN8tive
This was my 90’s ... every sweat drenched hip thrusting tongue lashing moan and cry ... Damn Your Eyes!!!
@mauriciosidjay6917
loko de mais s2
@y2kisfun
damn