The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
A single rose left to remember
As a single tear falls from her eye
Another cold day in December
A year from the day she said goodbye
Seems it's only been a moment
Since the angels took him from her arms
And she was left there holding on to their tomorrow
But as they laid him in the ground
Her heart would sing without a sound
For the first time you can open your eyes
And see the world without your sorrow
Where no one knows the pain you left behind
And all the peace you could never find
Is waiting there to hold and keep you
Welcome to the first day of your life
Just open up your eyes, eyes
A single lifetime lays behind her
As she draws her final breath
Just beyond the door he'll find her
Taking her hand he softly says
For the first time you can open your eyes
And see the world without your sorrow
Where no one knows the pain you left behind
And all the peace you could never find
Is waiting there to hold and keep you
Welcome to the first day of your life
Just open up your eyes as I lay you down tonight
Safe on the other side, no more tears to cry
For the first time you can open your eyes
And see the world without your sorrow
Where no one knows the pain you left behind
And all the peace you could never find
Is waiting there to hold and keep you
Welcome to the first day of your life
Just open up your eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes
As a single tear falls from her eye
Another cold day in December
A year from the day she said goodbye
Seems it's only been a moment
Since the angels took him from her arms
And she was left there holding on to their tomorrow
But as they laid him in the ground
Her heart would sing without a sound
For the first time you can open your eyes
And see the world without your sorrow
Where no one knows the pain you left behind
And all the peace you could never find
Is waiting there to hold and keep you
Welcome to the first day of your life
Just open up your eyes, eyes
A single lifetime lays behind her
As she draws her final breath
Just beyond the door he'll find her
Taking her hand he softly says
For the first time you can open your eyes
And see the world without your sorrow
Where no one knows the pain you left behind
And all the peace you could never find
Is waiting there to hold and keep you
Welcome to the first day of your life
Just open up your eyes as I lay you down tonight
Safe on the other side, no more tears to cry
For the first time you can open your eyes
And see the world without your sorrow
Where no one knows the pain you left behind
And all the peace you could never find
Is waiting there to hold and keep you
Welcome to the first day of your life
Just open up your eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes
Lyrics submitted by fallacyofdualism
Open Up Your Eyes Lyrics as written by Ben Moody Christopher A. Daughtry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
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Probably my most favorite song on the entire album. Seems pretty straight forward to me.
A woman's husband has died and although she is obviously distraught she believes he is in a better place.
Then as the song progresses, the woman, now older and has lived her life, dies and finds her husband in heaven.
absolutely agreed. this song made me cry cuz it reminds me of my grandparents and i love to imagine tht is exactly how things happened. one of the deepest songs ive heard on a very long time
absolutely agreed. this song made me cry cuz it reminds me of my grandparents and i love to imagine tht is exactly how things happened. one of the deepest songs ive heard on a very long time
@vjk1085 accurate defining, and it’s an unfortunate song. The music on the other hand, is EVERYTHING! So I can see that as to why it’s your favorite in the album. But my favorite song in the album is ‘learn my lesson’ mostly because I can relate to that song in a way no other makes me feel that way in his other songs of the album.
This is favourite song off their new album. I love the lyrics!
To me this song is about a girl who's lost a man she loves. And even though it's extremely painful to bury him, she is happy that he's not in pain anymore. She understands that he's in a better place and doesn't have to suffer anymore.
The second verse occurs years and years later when the woman dies and she is reunited with this man who escorts her into this wonderful place.
And also... correction in the lyrics...
Just beyond the door, he'll find her Taking her hand, HE softly says
Tables turn in the second verse... he is now singing the refrain to her. Letting her know that she doesn't have to feel the pain of his loss anymore.
This song really hits home for me. I lost my fiance to suicide six months ago and as painful as it was (and still is and will always be) I believe he's made it to heaven and is waiting to grab my hand when my time comes.
I Love this songgggg
I don't know why but I get the feeling that this song is about a girl who learns to see the world as the way it is, instead of "behind her sorrow" The name of the song says itself that she opened her eyes, and the death of his man or boyfriend make her realize that she have to accept how beautiful the world is, even when somebody loved ones die. "Where no ones knows the pain you left behind" reffered to that she has accepted how life is, and left behind the pain she felt when she denied the truth.
I loved this song :) I actually didn't know about this song even though I had it because I didn't really listen to it. Then one day I left my computer on and let it play the album while doing something. I normally don't notice anything when listening but when I heard the words, I stopped and I said to myself "how did I miss such a touching song?" I went to the website to see what it meant to everyone else and I saw a lot of stories about how many people had lost their loved ones. It is really touching and I'm happy I found out :)
Here's what I found at wikianswers
Simple, had multiple meanings. One about people who have lost someone dear. As well as a story about Jesus. Why, well December is pointed out, the month Jesus was born. Also the lyric a single life passes as she draws her breath. As Mary's purpose is complete. Then just beyond the door he will find her, softly taking her hand. She went to heaven or the door and Jesus is soft. So very cleaver lyrics.
@mitz I don't think this song relates to Jesus... <br /> Mainly because most experts agree that it's unlikely Jesus was born in December. There are a couple of reasons for that - 1) The shepherds who were watching the flock, wouldn't have been out with the flock in Winter. 2) Jesus was 33.5 when he died, he died around March / April time (Nisan 14), take 1/2 a year away from March / April you get September / October.<br /> It's more likely the line about December is in there because winter creates images of bleakness / darkness etc which is the situation that the song is trying to bring out.
I like to think that it's about a woman who's husband/lover died (Another cold day in December/a year from the day she said goodbye), and the first verse is her lamenting at his funeral (A single rose left to remember/as a single tear falls from her eye). She's trying to follow her heart (But as they lay him in the ground/her heart would sing without a sound) and move on in the first chorus (For the first time you can open your eyes...), but can't forget about him.
The second verse is her about to commit suicide (A single lifetime lays behind her/as she draws her final breath), but her lover's spirit prevents her and encourages her to move on, and stop seeing the world through her tears (Just beyond the door he'll find her/taking her hand he softly says/For the first time you can open your eyes...)
And the bridge is her life finally drawing to a close, guided by her lover's spirit to Heaven (Just Open Up Your Eyes/as I lay you down tonight/save on the other side/No more tears to cry), and she is at last truly happy (For the first time you can open your eyes...)
@RodimusPhil Wow! You sure know how to specify how the lyrics have the meaning and what the mean, huh? Thanks, RP.
Ok. I had a completely different understanding of the lyrics. I thought it was about a lady who buried an abusive husband and a year later decided to stop grieving and live her life. She takes a breath and opens the door when her new lover opens it and takes her hand. She then has a whole new life without abuse.
@bonny2580 I saw it in the same way. She was kind of happy that the abuser died, but she couldn't tell anybody what he did to her. It seems like she was scared to have someone new (that's what abuse does to a person) but at last she opened her eyes and welcomed the first day of her life, with someone that appreciates her. I
It is a song about a couple losing 2 children.
The couple was visiting their child's grave. The father recalled that the child died in his mother arms. They sadly buried their child in his funeral.
Later, their another child was born. The child did not live. The father entered the room and held his daugther's hand. He softly greeted her, welcoming her to the world, even though a moment was her entire lifetime. In the haven, she would find peace.
@heimin Hate to break it, but that’s another song that isn’t a Chris Daughtry one (I don’t think). But this song is more on the nu-metal side.