In Your Eyes

"In Your Eyes" delves into the complexities of a dysfunctional relationship where both partners are acutely aware of the pain and deception between them but choose to ignore it. The Weeknd explained that the song is about "two people who are in love with each other who are just f—ing each other over." The lyrics are intentionally structured to represent a dual perspective, with the first verse from one partner's point of view and the second from the other's. The central theme is willful ignorance; the narrator sees the lies and hurt burning in his lover's eyes but chooses to be "blind" to it, preferring the comfort of the relationship to the pain of confronting the truth. This is encapsulated in lyrics like, "In your eyes, you lie, but I don't let it define you." The song explores the vulnerability and emotional turmoil that come with loving someone despite deep-seated issues, touching on themes of infidelity, regret, and the facade people maintain to avoid heartbreak. The upbeat, danceable '80s-inspired music creates a powerful juxtaposition with the melancholic and toxic lyrical content, a technique The Weeknd compared to how The Police's "Every Breath You Take" is often mistaken for a simple love song.

The narrative of the song revolves around a relationship fraught with unspoken truths and mutual self-deception. The protagonist, voiced by The Weeknd, opens by confessing his preference for ignorance, choosing to pretend he is unaware of the underlying problems to avoid the pain of heartbreak. He sings about being in the dark, not out of regret, but because his heart cannot endure another loss. This establishes a central theme of willful blindness as a coping mechanism. He would rather remain in this oblivious state with his partner than confront the harsh realities that could lead to their separation.

As the song progresses into the chorus, the focus shifts to his partner. He can see directly into her soul through her eyes, recognizing a 'burning' internal struggle. He acknowledges that her smiles are forced and that she is constantly trying to conceal her pain. Despite her best efforts to put on a brave face and say the right things, he sees the truth. However, he admits to his own complicity in this charade, consistently looking the other way. He declares himself 'blind' to her lies, not because he is fooled, but because he chooses not to let her visible sadness and deception define who she is to him. It's a complex dynamic of seeing the hurt but choosing to focus on the love that remains.

The second verse adds another layer of complexity, introducing the protagonist's own infidelities. He confesses to having sought love and connection with other people multiple times, an act for which he feels deep shame. Despite these transgressions, he reveals that his thoughts were always with his current partner, asserting that she is 'the one' who was consistently on his mind. This admission complicates the narrative, suggesting that the pain in her eyes might stem from his actions. The song becomes a dual perspective of two flawed individuals hurting each other. The Weeknd himself explained that the first verse is from one person's perspective, and the second is from the other's, portraying a toxic cycle where two people in love continuously cause each other pain. The vibrant, upbeat tempo and the iconic saxophone solo create a stark contrast with the lyrical content, masking the song's deeper, more melancholic exploration of a broken, yet persistent, love.

"In Your Eyes" was released on March 24, 2020, as the fourth single from The Weeknd's critically acclaimed fourth studio album, After Hours. The song was written and produced by The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), Max Martin, and Oscar Holter, with additional writing credits for Ahmad Balshe (Belly). It was recorded in 2019 at various studios, including Conway and MXM in Los Angeles and House Mouse and MXM in Stockholm, Sweden. The track is a key part of the After Hours concept album, which explores themes of loneliness, self-loathing, and heartbreak through a cinematic lens inspired by films like Martin Scorsese's After Hours. The song is noted for its prominent alto saxophone solo, performed by Wojtek Goral on the studio version. A popular remix featuring jazz legend Kenny G on soprano saxophone was released on October 16, 2020, following their live performance of the song at the Time 100 event. Another remix featuring Doja Cat was also released in May 2020.

The song follows a relatively conventional verse-chorus structure common in pop music. The rhythm is steady and danceable, driven by a consistent 100 BPM tempo and a strong drum machine beat that evokes '80s pop. The interplay between the rhythmic synth bassline and the melodic synth leads creates a compelling groove. The lyrical rhythm often employs a conversational flow, particularly in the verses, which contrasts with the more anthemic and repetitive rhythm of the chorus. The rhyme scheme is generally straightforward, using couplets and simple end rhymes (e.g., dark/heart, loss/oblivious) which enhances its pop accessibility. For instance, in the chorus, "pain" rhymes with "say," and the repetition of "I'm blind, I'm blind" creates a powerful, rhythmic hook. The song's structure is designed for maximum impact, with the instrumental bridge featuring the saxophone solo providing a dynamic shift before returning to the final, emphatic choruses.

Musically, "In Your Eyes" is a deliberate homage to the 1980s, characterized by its synth-pop and new wave production. It features a driving synth lead, a prominent alto saxophone solo reminiscent of George Michael's "Careless Whisper," and brass accompaniments that create a lush, nostalgic soundscape. The song is composed in the key of G minor with a tempo of 100 BPM. Critics praised the track's instrumental choices, particularly the saxophone, as a key element that elevates its nostalgic quality. The Weeknd's vocal performance is dynamic, shifting from his signature smooth falsetto to a more direct and vulnerable delivery that conveys the song's emotional weight. Lyrically, the song employs a narrative structure with a shifting perspective, allowing the listener to see the conflict from both sides of the relationship. The juxtaposition of the upbeat, danceable music with the dark, introspective lyrics is a key stylistic choice that creates a sense of tragic irony, making listeners want to dance and feel melancholic simultaneously.

"In Your Eyes" was a commercial and critical success, noted as a standout track from the After Hours album. It peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and contributed to The Weeknd becoming the first artist to simultaneously lead the Billboard 200, Hot 100, Artist 100, Hot 100 Songwriters, and Hot 100 Producers charts. The song received universal acclaim for its '80s-inspired sound and was particularly praised for its saxophone solo. It won a SOCAN R&B Music Award in 2021. The track's popularity was boosted by two high-profile remixes, one with Doja Cat and another with renowned saxophonist Kenny G. The collaboration with Kenny G led to several notable live performances, including at the Time 100 primetime event and the American Music Awards of 2020, further cementing the song's place in the cultural conversation. The song's cinematic music video, with its slasher film theme, was also widely discussed and analyzed by fans and critics.

The primary symbol in the song is the "eyes" themselves, representing a window to the soul and the undeniable truth of a person's emotional state, regardless of their words or actions. The narrator sees a "burning" inside his lover's eyes, a metaphor for her deep-seated pain and turmoil. His declaration of being "blind" is a central metaphor for willful ignorance. It's not a literal blindness, but a conscious choice to disregard the painful truths the relationship holds to preserve it. This theme of blindness is a recurring motif throughout the After Hours album, most notably in the hit single "Blinding Lights." The accompanying music video further expands the symbolism, employing an '80s slasher film aesthetic. In the video, The Weeknd's character, a menacing figure in a red suit, stalks a woman. The violent imagery, culminating in his decapitation, can be interpreted as a metaphor for the death of the ego or a commentary on the destructive nature of their toxic relationship and his past behavior.

The most significant recurring motif is the phrase "In your eyes," which anchors the chorus and the song's central theme. It's the space where the narrator sees the un-ignorable truth. The declaration "I'm blind" is another crucial recurring phrase, repeated for emphasis to highlight his willful denial. This concept of blindness extends across the entire After Hours album, connecting "In Your Eyes" to the larger narrative of being overwhelmed and lost, as seen in "Blinding Lights." The idea of hiding pain is also a recurring motif, expressed in lines like "You always try to hide the pain" and "I know it hurts to smile, but you try to," which paints a picture of a relationship built on facades. Musically, the saxophone line serves as a powerful, recurring instrumental motif, appearing in the bridge and the outro, solidifying the song's '80s aesthetic and providing a memorable, non-lyrical hook.