In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel

Album: So (1986)

Charted: 26

License This Song

songfacts ®

lyrics

artistfacts

songimage

One of the most iconic film song images of recent years, undoubtedly the most memorable scene from the 1989 film shot in and around Seattle Washington. The scene has character Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) serenading Diane Court (Ione Skye) outside her bedroom window playing this song ("In Your Eyes") shortly after she broke up with him. The song, which had become "their" song, was playing on the radio during a romantic scene in his car when she pointed out the lyrics in the song and expressed how important the song was to her.

Trivia - When Lloyd holds up the radio, it is actually playing a song by the group Fishbone. "In Your Eyes" was added post-production.

Comments: 49

Mark from New YorkI saw a movie about the making of the album So and Gabriel himself confirmed my suspicions about the song. He mentioned that there was an African tradition of writing a song that could hold a dual interpretation of being a love song between a man and woman and between a human and God. The spiritual imagery lends itself to this. He also mentioned that when this song was sung live, in concert, it was a spiritual experience the likes of which he does not see in any of his other songs. Now we know why.
Ray from Victoria, BcKevin Nealon of SNL fame has a channel on YouTube entitles "Hiking With Kevin". On the episode where he hiked with Rosanna Arquette, she stated that this song is one of two famous songs that were written about her. She claimed to have "spent time" with Peter Gabriel back in the day.
Kathleen from MarylandThe lyrics for the section at the end that's sung in Wolof is: Sa bet chi lamp, chi tangaay, sa bet maangi ci biir. From what I've been able to figure out, this translates to "Your eye, the heat, the light, I am inside." So that would be "In your eyes, the light, the heat, I am complete," wouldn't you agree? At the very least, it's "In your eyes, the light, the heat," which is what's being said in English.
Kathleen from MarylandSteve: It features Youssou N'Dour singing at the end of the song, and that part was translated into his native Wolof. Wolof is the native language of Senegal.
Glenn from In The Back Of Your MindIt's my understanding that this song was NOT written by Peter Gabriel at all and that it was written by a Frederic Robert Vitani? Any truth to that?? He's listed on a bunch of credits as being the writer and Gabriel the performer of this great classic song.
Steve from Indiana I would like to know about the language that was "chanted" in some versions. This is what someone put down as a language but I yet to find out if it is the correct spelling. Language and meaning would be great if you know. Thank you! Here is the copied version of the lyrics I'm referring to: sowot silang quasi tangai sowot manganchibi
Nicole from Salt Lake CityI really, really, really hope that it IS Daniel Lanois posting a comment on these song lyrics about the song not being about Arquette. It's almost believable. Well written, no troll-ish mistakes. Freaking brilliant producer and musician, but why would he be found on this site in the first place. *le sigh* P.S. Daniel if that is you, I loved "I Love You." Great song!
Norm from Vancouver, BcThis is what I feel the song is saying
I have put the actual lyrics in quotes and my comments after the quoted lyrics.
When I refer to God I am refering to the unexplainable source responsible for all creation and whatever your individual perception of that is

"love I get so lost, sometimes"
Love is God and sometimes we live our lives without God in our hearts
"days pass and this emptiness fills my heart"
When we live without God in our heart we feel less whole our heart feels empty there is something missing.
"when I want to run away
I drive off in my car
but whichever way I go
I come back to the place you are"
The solution to leading a more fulfilling life is not running away but finding God and He is everywhere so you can find Him wherever you are.

"all my instincts, they return"
Once you live life with Gods love in your heart and follow His guidance decisions come easily
"and the grand facade, so soon will burn"
Life as we know it is an Illusion the closer we are connected to God the more we will be able to see through that Illusion
"without a noise, without my pride"
The stillness and silence achieved through the practice of meditation is the method to dissolving the ego which clears the path to aligning yourself with God.
"I reach out from the inside"
It's all about Internal transformation

"in your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete"
God is the light and the heat and in His eyes you are complete
"in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches"
There are many different religions with different stories trying to explain the unexplainable they are all pointing to the same doorway.
"in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches"
When we live to find happiness through acquiring material possessions we find that the happiness is very short lived.
"in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in your eyes"
We are all a fragment of light and heat of God. Behind the Illusion we all have the potential to achieve god consciousness. When we feel empty inside it is our desire to return to that consciousness and be returned to the original source of light and heat

"love, I don't like to see so much pain
so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away"
Pain and suffering comes from not living in the present moment. Suffering comes from regretting the past or fearing the future
"I get so tired of working so hard for out survival
I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive"
When you are truly inline with God it is a state of being no longer striving to succeed
Lalah from Wasilla, AkInt he movie "say Anything", this song is also playing in the background of the backseat-of-car scene.
Tony from Vancouver, WaDavid Arquette said on the Howard Stern show that this song was written by Peter Gabriel for Rosanna Arquette.
Stimpson from Salem , MaThis has become one of my all time favorite songs.I think that, like most great poetry, it can be taken several ways. My favorite version is the one from his 1994 tour with Paule Cole. You can tell she was having the time of her life.
Dom from Perth, AustraliaMy god what can i say everytime i listened to the beautiful so my goose bumps,start and if your really thinking of someone so dear to you,you cant help but drop a tear or too,would have to say that would be my wedding song,theres only one of a kind an thats it..well done pete for a song we all listen,if we are listening to it alone,its not strange to say that really it involves 2 people or more..
Steph from Claverack, NyIt tells of the love that one feels; you can only hope to have something that strong in your lifetime. How many times have you been in your car listening to this song, been immediately transported to the glow that true love carries? Amazingly great song, holds up for all time. Sad and happy, all rolled into one. Makes you heart cry.
Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnThe best love song of the '80s.
Erika from Vernon, CtOne of my favorite songs, hands down, by ANY artist. I, like a few others here, have always believed that this song was about the line between physical and spiritual ectasy. (As is "is there a line?" and "how do you know which is which?") But something that I've never been able to find an answer to: the video for this song features clips from a old movie. Clips from the same movie (I think) are also used in the video for David Bowie's "Hallo Spaceboy." Anyone have any ideas?
Thom from Carson City, NvI feel this song reaches out further than just being a love song between a man and woman, Or a spirritual song between God and man. My Daughter recently moved to the west coast and I thought I would be able to handle it better than I am. I have always loved Peter Gabriels work but never gave this song much thought till I was watching a T.V. show about a father and daughter who were sepporated by his death and this song started playing at the end of the show and the tears shot out of me. Peter Gabriel has a way of hitting home. My Daughter is very full of life and she has been my biggest inspiration in my life. Solsbury Hill comes to mind with me because I am from the west coast end as soon as I can afford to go, I'm going home.
Martha from Kdh, NcI can see how this can be a love song, but I see it as a song of love for God, or the creator or whatever one wants to call it. I think that with God there is no hiding anything. God knows all and sees all, and the song seems to be saying that while I am just human and have flaws and share this world with all other human activity of various sorts, I want to be seen by you (God) for the good and perfect person that I want to be. It's like Gabriel is saying "I want to have your approval." - As a child wants to be seen by a parent. It is a quite touching song to me. I don't participate in any church, but I think that this song is a prayer like no other in the Bible that I've come across. It speaks in my language.
Age from C-ville, PaThis song is the perfect mix between beautiful love lyrics and captivating musicianship.
Kevin from Springfield, Pajeffrey gaines cover is great. a perfect song
Tom from Hershey, PaI have this one on my ipod and jog to it. It has a great running beat, especially the Gaines version.
Peter from Huddersfield, EnglandAgree wholeheartedly with Paige...one of the best lovesongs ever written.
Maggs from West Alexandria, Ohlove Say Anything, love John Cusack, love this song....
Maggs, Ohio
Mark from Austin, TxI read somewhere that, when asked if they could use the song in Say Anything, he said that he would have to see the film first. They sent it to him and he said, "Ok, but I'm not too happy with the fact that the main character dies of a drug overdose." Turns out that they had accidentally sent him a copy of Wired, a film about John Belushi.
Anybody know if this is true?
Tj from Baltimore, MdIn my area (Baltimore, USA) local radio stations play a version of "In Your Eyes", which removes the words "I see the doorway to a thousand churches". Is this censorship of the original lyrics to remove a religious reference, or did Peter Gabriel endorse this version? I also heard this version on XM Radio.
Mike from Santa Barbara, CaAllegedly, this song was written about Rosanna Arquette, who was Peter Gabriel's girlfriend at the time.
Michael from Rockford, Il To Mr. Lanois, It really does'nt matter that much. People like misguided facts, and will never stray.
No need to for the dramatics in this forum, might I suggest a song to straiten this matter on one of your releases?
Feel free to contact me at bart260@hotmail.com
Michael
Iana from Manila, OtherI Love this song too, because it reminds me of a man whose having trouble in his life but the great about this is he actually live continuously, because of his undying love to the one he Loves. , . ;)
- Iana, Manila, Philippines,,,
Chuck from Houston, Txmy fav by peter g.
Jeffrey from Dowagiac, MiCameron Crowe originally wanted to have John Cusak's character serenade Ione Skye's character, but Cusak didn't sing well, so he had him hold a boom box over his head playing this beautiful song. Movie history was made.
Farrah from Elon, NcI love this song. This song is very inspiring.
Shay from Bridgeton, MoI have a copy of this song being done by Staind. It's awesome!!!
Bradley from Bemidji, MnContemporary Christian artist Nichole Nordeman has covered this song on her 2002 CD "Woven and Spun."
Daniel from MontrealI am so sick of this. I will finally speak out regarding Roseanna Arquette being the inspiration for "In Your Eyes". It was another young woman, also an actress, who was the inspiration for the song. I don't know if it's Arquette's camp who is generating this rumor, or the public. Her identity is not revealed because at the time Gabriel was still officially married. Arquette and Gabriel didn't even meet until after the album came out. I should know. I co-produced the album. And furthermore "Roseanna" is not about Arquette either. The band, Toto, has many times, told the press, that she did NOT serve as the inspiration to the song, only the name. I hope this puts the issue to rest.
Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, Scpat from montreal. Where did you hear tjat story. It's pretty funny! btw, song's a great love song, and will be one of those ones that's always played.
Conor Bendle from Canberra, AustraliaThere is also an awesome live version of this song on Gabriel's live album 'Secret World Live'. It features Paula Cole on backing vocals, and instead of Yossou N'Dour, it features Congolese singer Papa Wemba (who was signed to PG's RealWorld music label).
Pat from Montreal, CanadaFunny story about convincing Gabriel to let this song into Say Anything: Once the director knew this was the song he wanted, he tried to get Gabriel to let him use it, to no success. Eventually, Gabriel asked to see a copy of the movie, and was sent one. He replied to it by allowing the song to be used, while also commenting that he was wary about the part where the lead overdoses at the end. The director had accidentally sent Wired, not Say Anything. The rest, as they say, is cinematic history.
Anthony from Clearwater, FlThe live version (with Youssou N'Dour ) which I saw on VH-1 Classic, is one of the best videos I've ever seen. Peter Gabriel is a musical genius!
Tom from Adelaide, AustraliaWhat a supremely crafted and beautifully balanced song, absolute quality. Its one of those rare songs that get better with age. Turn it up and sing it loud. You can really get lost in this one.
Ron from Vancouver, CroatiaGreatest love song of the century
Eric from Lake Forest, CaAfter Biko, this became the climax of his live performances.
Breeze from Washington, DcIt was a question on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
Linda from College Station, TxPeter Gabriel wrote this song about Rosanna Arquette (they used to live together). Toto's hit "Rosanna" is also about Arquette.
T.j from Buford, GaAaron Lewis, from Staind, covered this song with his old band before he joined Staind. He did an awsome job covering this song!
Audrey from Boston, MaFor anyone who hasn't checked out the Jeffrey Gaines live version (on his album Always Be) it's amazing and will bring a whole new apprecaition to a beautiful song.
Miraj from Eden Prairie, MnHis name was Jefferey Gaines and I think it was last summer.
Krie from Ft. Drum, NyHey, can anyone remember the name of the guy who covered this a few years ago? I believe it was a live track...
Beckylove from Richland, WaPeter Gabriel wrote this song about Roxanne Arquette.
Paige from Broomfield, CoThis is the most beautiful love song ever written and recorded. ;-)
Nicky from Middlesbrough, EnglandI love this song. This reminds me of a man who is haveing some troubles in life who only finds comfort when he's with the one he loves...'I look to the time with you, to keep me awake and alive'
wonderful love song.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Just Be Good To MeThe S.O.S. Band

"Just Be Good To Me" by The S.O.S. Band was the first hit written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who worked on Janet Jackson's Control album a few years later. They were members of The Time, a group created by Prince.

Walking On A Thin LineHuey Lewis & the News

"Walking on a Thin Line" by Huey Lewis and the News is about an American soldier who is trained as a sniper in the Vietnam War. It was written for a documentary on the war.

My AllMariah Carey

Mariah Carey's "My All" is about her affair with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

My Ding-a-LingChuck Berry

Chuck Berry's only #1 hit was "My Ding-a-Ling," a novelty song about a boy and his... you know.

Hit Me With Your Best ShotPat Benatar

Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" was written by a guy named Eddie after going through a weird therapy session where he punched pillows to get out his aggressions.