Those Eyes

"Those Eyes" is a profound exploration of intimacy, memory, and the anchoring power of love. At its core, the song suggests that true romantic connection is defined not by grand, cinematic gestures, but by the accumulation of "small things"—subtle habits, shared inside jokes, and fleeting glances that constitute the unique language of a relationship.

The recurring imagery of the partner's eyes serves as a powerful symbol of being truly seen and understood. When the narrator mentions being in a crowd where "nobody knows why" they are laughing, it highlights the concept of an exclusive world built between two people. The eyes act as a portal to this private sanctuary, offering safety and recognition whether the couple is physically together or separated by distance.

Furthermore, the song touches on the theme of obsession and comfort in absence. The lyrics describe a state where the beloved's presence is so consuming that even when they are apart, the narrator's mental landscape is dominated by their image. The mention of specific, mundane details—like a phone call while "getting high with friends"—grounds the song in reality, moving it away from idealized romance and into the messy, genuine texture of modern relationships. Ultimately, it is a tribute to the specific idiosyncrasies that make a person irreplaceable.

The narrative begins in a bustling social setting, amidst a crowded room where the noise and chaos of the outside world are rendered insignificant by a shared, private connection. The protagonist describes a moment of shared laughter with their partner, a secret exchange that no one else in the vicinity understands, creating an island of intimacy within the public sphere. This sense of exclusive bonding continues as the scene shifts to a club; despite the disorientation of the environment and the influence of alcohol, a single smile from the partner serves as a grounding force, cutting through the haze.

The story transitions to the quiet aftermath of the night, traveling home in the back of a vehicle where a gentle physical touch—hands meeting—solidifies their bond. The intimacy deepens into a private moment of vulnerability after making love, where the partner looks up, and their gaze becomes the focal point of the protagonist's world. It is in this specific look, 'those eyes,' that the protagonist finds the essence of their affection.

As the narrative moves into a period of separation, the tone shifts from immediate presence to aching nostalgia. The protagonist confesses that it is not grand gestures but the 'small things'—the minute, everyday idiosyncrasies—that fuel their love. In moments of solitude, simply closing their eyes summons the vivid image of the partner. The lyrics recount specific memories that define this attachment: late-night phone calls when the partner is out with friends, and the accumulation of every casual greeting and expression of love ever spoken. These fragments of memory serve as a lifeline, reminding the protagonist repeatedly of exactly why they fell in love, with the vision of their partner's eyes remaining the persistent, comforting anchor through the distance.

"Those Eyes" holds a significant place in the history of New West, a Toronto-based musical collective comprising Kala Wita, Vella, Ben Key, and Noel West. The song was originally released on May 10, 2019, and was later included on their debut EP, Call Me When You Hear This Song.

According to the band, this was the very first song they wrote together. The creation process took place in a secluded setting—a cottage in the Canadian wilderness—where the group had locked themselves away to experiment with music. They have described the song as feeling "timeless" and an "anomaly" that fell into place naturally, setting the tone for their collaborative chemistry.

While the song had a modest initial release, it experienced a massive resurgence in 2022 and 2023, largely due to TikTok. A "Sped Up" version of the track went viral, soundtracking millions of videos ranging from romantic montages to fan edits. This viral success catapulted the indie track to global charts and led to the band signing with Republic Records. Following this second wind, the band released a cinematic music video in 2023 to celebrate the song's enduring legacy.

The song utilizes a relatively simple and consistent rhyme scheme, often relying on AABB or ABAB structures with frequent use of slant rhymes (e.g., "loud" and "club" / "why" and "smile"). This lack of rigid, perfect rhyming contributes to the song's conversational and relaxed feel.

Rhythmically, the track is set in 4/4 time with a moderate, steady tempo that aligns with the heartbeat of a ballad. The phrasing of the lyrics is often syncopated against the steady acoustic strumming, creating a laid-back groove. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the listener to absorb the imagery of each line before moving to the next, mirroring the slow, savoring nature of the memories being described.

Musical Techniques:

• Lo-Fi Aesthetic: The song employs a raw, unpolished production style, characterized by a muted drum beat and a warm, dreamy guitar tone. This creates an atmosphere of intimacy, as if the band is playing in the listener's living room.
• The Count-In: The track begins with a "1, 2, 3, 4" count-in, preserving a demo-like quality that enhances its authenticity and vulnerability.
• Vocal Delivery: The vocals are delivered in a soft, breathy falsetto during the chorus, reinforcing the tender and dreamlike emotional state of the lyrics.

Literary Techniques:

• Juxtaposition: The lyrics contrast public settings (crowds, clubs) with private intimacies (hand holding, looking up), highlighting the isolation of the couple within the world.
• Repetition: The phrase "all of the small things that you do" is repeated as a mantra, emphasizing that the foundation of their love is built on consistency rather than intensity.
• Sensory Imagery: The song appeals to multiple senses—sight (eyes, smile), sound (laughing loud), and touch (hand touches mine)—to create a fully immersive memory.

While "Those Eyes" was a sleeper hit upon its 2019 release, it achieved massive cultural impact via social media roughly three years later. It became a staple on TikTok, where it was used in millions of videos. The song became synonymous with "fan cams" (edits of celebrities or fictional characters) and sentimental montages of couples and pets.

The "Sped Up" version of the track became particularly ubiquitous, fueling a wider industry trend where artists began officially releasing sped-up versions of their own songs to capitalize on TikTok listening habits. The song's viral success was the primary catalyst for New West transitioning from an independent collective to signing a major deal with Republic Records. It has been certified Platinum in Canada and Gold in the US, cementing its status as a modern indie-pop classic.

• The Eyes: The central symbol of the song, representing the soul of the relationship and a portal to safety. They symbolize a home base that the narrator returns to mentally when physically separated.
• The Crowd/The Club: These settings represent the chaos and noise of the external world. They contrast sharply with the internal, private world the couple shares, emphasizing that their connection transcends their surroundings.
• The "Small Things": A metonym for true love. Instead of focusing on wealth or grand events, the lyrics use these small details (laughter, hand touches, late-night calls) to symbolize the authentic, unpolished reality of their bond.
• Closing Eyes: The act of closing one's eyes to see the partner represents the power of memory and how love can bridge physical distance through visualization.

"Cause all of the small things that you do": This is the central hook and thesis of the song. Its recurrence reinforces the message that love is cumulative, built on minor details rather than major events.

"Those eyes": The title phrase appears at the emotional peaks of the song (the chorus), serving as the trigger that launches the narrator into their reflective state.

"And nobody knows why": This phrase highlights the secret language shared by the couple, a recurring motif of exclusivity that separates them from the rest of the world.