The Man with the Child in His Eyes Lyrics
Before I go to sleep,
And focus on the day that's been,
I realize he's there,
When I turn the light off,
And turn over,
Nobody knows about my man,
They think he's lost on some horizon,
And suddenly I find myself listening,
To a man I've never known before,
Telling me about the sea,
Oh his love is to eternity.
The man with the child in his eyes,
Oh he's here again,
The man with the child in his eyes
Aware of all my situations,
When I stay up late,
He's always with me,
What I feel when I hesitate,
Oh I'm so worried about my love,
They say "No, No it won't last forever",
And here I am again my girl,
Wondering what on earth I am doing here,
Maybe he doesn't love me,
I just took a trip on my love for him.
The man with the child in his eyes,
Oh he's here again,
The man with the child in his eyes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOa4HER0Vk8 see 5.00 for Bush's interpretation, which is that men (or the men she falls for) have a childlike quality.
I just read that this is in fact the case and that she wrote this song about her first boyfriend, Steve Blacknell, when she was only fourteen. The song was recorded in 1975 when she was sixteen. They later broke up.
I just read that this is in fact the case and that she wrote this song about her first boyfriend, Steve Blacknell, when she was only fourteen. The song was recorded in 1975 when she was sixteen. They later broke up.
@ZwaanMe: It is not a “fact” - it is Mr. Blacknell’s (half reasonable) conclusion/opinion. He only claims that he was “told so, by others”. He may well hope that it is so; but there again, wouldn’t we all! Miss Bush has never publicly named a specific individual. Point: the reference to the “sea” is the key to the mystery.
@ZwaanMe: It is not a “fact” - it is Mr. Blacknell’s (half reasonable) conclusion/opinion. He only claims that he was “told so, by others”. He may well hope that it is so; but there again, wouldn’t we all! Miss Bush has never publicly named a specific individual. Point: the reference to the “sea” is the key to the mystery.
Its about a man, men in general really, how they have a child inside of them. Like, they're immature. Like, grown up children. And that this man can understand and communicate with the younger girls because they're on the same level. Like, first love with an older man. People don't know why they click so well, and they say it won't last because of the age difference but she believes it will, and wants it to because they get along so well, and relate so well too.
one of my most favourite songs ever. in fact, maybe my #1. bueatiful. just stunningly beautiful
In her own words.
Kate answers the question "What is the meaning of the song: The man with the child in his eyes?" in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3B4lIK9aS_E#t=257
"Oh! well it, its something that I feel about men generally (sorry about this folks) that a lot of men have got a child inside of them, you know? they're more or less just ...grown up kids... and that its... its a very... (delayed laughter from audience), no, no! its a very, very good quality... its really good because a lot of women grow up and get far too responsible and its really nice to keep that delight in wonderful things that children have, and thats what i was trying to say;... that this man can communicate with a younger girl because... he's on the same level"
“The Man With The Child In His Eyes” was a friend of a friend (of a friend) of Kate’s brother, Paddy, who once brought him home for a few hours, one summer’s afternoon. Cathy was thirteen, and he, John (Ossy) was twenty one; a student at a coastal university. John heard Cathy singing, whilst playing the piano. Unknown to her, he stood in the doorway, listening, for several minutes, before Cathy became aware of his presence. They chatted intently for two hours or more, before John left with Paddy, delivering him back to their mutual friend (of a friend) in order to visit a folk club that evening. During their conversation, John/Ossy, asked Cathy to promise to continue with her songwriting. She promised. Kate’s own explanation skirts around the details, but it is based upon this very real meeting.
@Blyton : I regretted writing the comment above, but was unable to delete it. I confessed to my ‘source’ - he was less than pleased! I am now (quite rightly) obliged to eat dirt, and apologise. I am deeply sorry for making any mention whatsoever. I also have to correct a small error: John/Ossy was 4 day’s short of his 21st, birthday. Further, My ‘source’ also insists that I changed my definite statement to, ‘possibly’ - so as not to offend certain notable ‘others’. Apologies made, I shall now go and chew a worm or two. Adieu.
@Blyton : I regretted writing the comment above, but was unable to delete it. I confessed to my ‘source’ - he was less than pleased! I am now (quite rightly) obliged to eat dirt, and apologise. I am deeply sorry for making any mention whatsoever. I also have to correct a small error: John/Ossy was 4 day’s short of his 21st, birthday. Further, My ‘source’ also insists that I changed my definite statement to, ‘possibly’ - so as not to offend certain notable ‘others’. Apologies made, I shall now go and chew a worm or two. Adieu.
On a lot of English first pressings of vinyl records you can find an inscription in the run-out area of the disc... Kate not only knows about the inscriptions, she even writes them, so most of them are of some significance...
Here's a list of the inscriptions on the first releases of the vinyl editions:
The Man With The Child In His Eyes / Moving: Side A: "The child hides in the light";
- In August 1980, Pat Benatar released her second LP, 'Crimes of Passion', featuring 'Hell Is For Children' ("They hide in the light, so you can't see their fears") AND her cover of WUTHERING HEIGHTS. YouTube: Pat Benatar - Hell is for Children:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sa0MkWoeTk "They cry in the dark, so you can't see their tears They hide in the light, so you can't see their fears Forgive and forget, all the while Love and pain become one and the same In the eyes of a wounded child..."
Each line of TMWTCIHE seems to have a different address, from Jesus to her imaginary friend, guardian, or groom...
This is basically a love song and a very early song of Kate's. It's about a man having two sides and not letting go of his inner child. And it's also about there being a deep understanding in a relationship, mainly because nobody understands the person Kate sings about, and the lines, "Nobody knows about my man . They think he's lost on some horizon." back that up to some extent. The lyrics explain a mutual understanding but at the same time, a secret fear of giving yourself completely to another human being. Simply beautiful.
I think I read in an interview somewhere that this was about masturbastion. It would certainly fit in with the concept of a man that she only realises is there when she goes to bed and turns off the light. The man with the child in his eyes is an idealised sexual partner.
i honestly don't truely know what this song is about and i have only heard it be fully performed by charlottte church but thought it was beautiful. just a shot in the dark but could it be about religion and kates relationship with God? is he the man she only feels when she relaxes in bed at the end of a busy day having not thought about Him. the child in his eye could be either kate herself (he is watching her always as one of His children) or Jesus. Im not christian so i don't know if that fits. does anyone else have any suggestions?
I agree with Lici, and completely understand the situation.
She loves him, but no one else gets him. She's still a bit scared of him, and herself.