"Behind Blue Eyes" is a song by the English rock band the Who. It was released as the second single from the band's fifth studio album, Who's Next (1971), and was originally written by Pete Townshend for his Lifehouse project. The single entered the US Billboard Hot 100 chart on 6 November 1971, reaching number 34. The song is one of the Who's best-known recordings and has been covered by many artists, including Limp Bizkit.

Background "Behind Blue Eyes" originated after a Tommy Tour concert in Denver, on 9 June 1970. Following the performance, Townshend became tempted by a female groupie, but he instead went back to his room alone, possibly as a result of the teachings of his spiritual leader, Meher Baba. Upon reaching his room, he began writing a prayer, the first words being "When my fist clenches, crack it open..." These words later appeared as lyrics in the "climactic rocking section" of "Behind Blue Eyes".

When "Behind Blue Eyes" was to be released as part of the aborted Lifehouse project, the song was sung from the point of view of the main villain, Jumbo. The lyrics are a first-person lament from Jumbo, who is always angry and full of angst because of all the pressure and temptation that surrounds him, and the song was intended to be his "theme song" had the project been successful. Pete Townshend said of the song's lyrics:

Composition "Behind Blue Eyes" is an art rock and folk rock ballad, with a moderate tempo of 116 beats per minute. It starts with a solo voice singing over an arpeggiated acoustic guitar in the key of E minor. Then, a bass guitar and ethereal harmonies are added before the song breaks out into a full-scale rock anthem. A second theme is introduced near the end, followed by a brief reprise of the quieter first theme.

Songs written in alternating sections were a feature of Townshend's writing of the period, going back at least to Tommy, where the technique was used in "Christmas" and "Go to the Mirror!" The guitar riff at the end of the anthemic rock section is also used after the bridge during the song "Won't Get Fooled Again", perhaps serving as a link between the two songs when both were intended to be parts of a single rock opera.

Release The version of "Behind Blue Eyes" released on Who's Next in 1971 was the second version the band recorded; the first was recorded at the Record Plant in New York on 18 March 1971 and features Al Kooper on Hammond organ.Who's Next – 1995 Remastered Edition CD Booklet Page 23 The original version was released as a bonus track on the 1995 CD reissue of the album.

"Behind Blue Eyes" was initially considered for a UK single release, but Townshend claimed that the song was "too much out of character" for the British singles market. However, the song did eventually see a single release in France, Belgium, the United States and the Netherlands. Backed with "My Wife" in the US and "Going Mobile" in Europe, the song reached number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 24 on Cashbox, with the latter calling it "another Townshend masterpiece in traditional Who fashion."

Critical reception Record World said that the band "slows the pace considerably until its break. Then the guys get down to some smashing, crashing British rock & roll."

Personnel Roger Daltrey – lead vocals Pete Townshend – acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals John Entwistle – bass, backing vocals Keith Moon – drums

Charts Chart (1971–1972) Peakposition Canada Top Singles (RPM) 23 US Cash Box 24 Chart (2012) Peakposition

Certifications

In other media

Pete Townshend has recorded two solo versions of the song: The original demo of the song was featured on the compilation album Scoop (1983). The demo along with a newer recording of the song featuring an orchestral backing was included in the box set The Lifehouse Chronicles (2000). In the WB television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the episode "Where the Wild Things Are" (2000) features the character Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) singing a cover of the song. A cover of the song was used in the second season finale of the FX television series Legion. The show's creator, Noah Hawley, sings the track with Jeff Russo on backing vocals as well as any instruments used in the song. However, in the context of the show, Dan Stevens and Navid Negahban sing the song in English and Persian. In Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatreds live action trailer, pop singer Camila Cabello covers "Behind Blue Eyes", exclusively premiered by Rolling Stone.

Limp Bizkit version

"Behind Blue Eyes" was covered by American nu metal band Limp Bizkit. It was released in 2003 as a single from their album Results May Vary. Limp Bizkit's arrangement is notable for featuring a Speak & Spell during the bridge. This, together with a new verse and an extra chorus, replaces the rock theme of the Who's version. The song is followed by a hidden track titled "All That Easy", after a few seconds of silence, making the total length 5:58. However, the hidden track is not featured in the single release.

Although the cover received mainly negative reviews, it reached number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was successful worldwide. It reached number one in the Czech Republic and Sweden and charted within the top three in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Norway. Elsewhere in Europe, it became a top 20 hit in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, while peaking at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart. In Australasia, it reached number four in Australia and number five in New Zealand.

Critical reception "Behind Blue Eyes" was panned by Rolling Stone magazine readers, who named it the second-worst cover song of all time. Conversely, Sun-Sentinel praised the cover, stating that it proves "Durst can do more than just rap." Eberhard Dobler of Laut.de similarly noted that Durst's singing had come a long way from in their George Michael cover, "Faith", while the song itself continues the band's shift to melodic alternative rock, started in the previous single, "Eat You Alive".

Music videos Two music videos were released for Limp Bizkit's version of "Behind Blue Eyes". The first (available on the band's YouTube channel), depicts the song dubbed over various footage of the band on tour intercut with frontman Fred Durst performing the song. The other features Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry. Loosely based on the motion picture Gothika, in which Berry stars, this video also contains a shot directly showing the movie's title. It depicts Berry and Durst in a relationship similar to the storyline of the film. The song also appeared during the credits of the film itself and this video was included as a bonus feature on its DVD.

Track listings UK CD single "Behind Blue Eyes" (album version) "Just Drop Dead" "Rollin'" (DJ Monk vs. the Track Mack remix) "Behind Blue Eyes" (video)

European 7-inch single and German mini-CD single "Behind Blue Eyes" (album version) – 4:30 "Just Drop Dead" – 4:02

Australasian CD single "Behind Blue Eyes" (album version) "Just Drop Dead" "My Way" (remixed by DJ Lethal) "Behind Blue Eyes" (video)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2003–2004) Peakposition Czech Republic (IFPI) 1 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 5 Poland (Polish Airplay Charts) 11 Romania (Romanian Top 100) 9 Chart (2025) Peakposition Moldova Airplay (TopHit) 97

Year-end charts Chart (2004) Position Australia (ARIA) 12 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 8 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 64 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 66 Brazil (Crowley) 16 Germany (Media Control GfK) 15 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 20 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 76 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 77 New Zealand (RIANZ) 35 Sweden (Hitlistan) 29 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 14 US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard) 39 US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard) 52

Decade-end charts Chart (2000–2009) Position Australia (ARIA) 91

Certifications

Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United States23 September 2003Digital download3 November 2003Contemporary hit radioUnited Kingdom24 November 2003CDAustralia1 December 2003

References