Hello, Welcome to Seven Songs a Week.
Today’s song is “In Your Eyes” by The Weeknd. “In Your Eyes” was released as the third single off of The Weeknd’s fourth studio album “After Hours” and peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song fits the album’s sonic theme of 80’s Pop and R&B and I would say it hits the 1980’s the hardest with its synths and saxophone. This song is also my favorite single from “After Hours” because it really does send you somewhere magical. I didn’t listen to “After Hours” because the album didn’t hit me with the first couple of songs, apparently neither did the public because all of the singles come from the second half of album.
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| Album Cover for "After Hours" |
The Weeknd sings of his imaginary persona of being cold and distant is just that, a persona. He is this way because he doesn't want a broken heart so it is easier to hide his emotion. This messages strays from a previous song on the album and lead single named "Heartless" which describes him as something that women need and want because of his heartlessness. Even though The Weeknd shows him self as cold and distant, he still wants to be with his lover. The Weeknd's lover's eye's are a very important factor to them, their eyes will always tell the truth and The Weeknd knows something goes on. The Weeknd cries " I don't ever wanna know. I can tell what you done...when I look at you, in your eyes." The Weeknd knows his lover is hiding something and is in pain, solely because of their eyes. The Weeknd can see his lover lying to him but would rather ignore the truth because he does not want a broken heart.
The Weeknd can undestand that his lover cheated on him because he has done it with other but he never stopped thinking about his lover while with someone else. He regrets his choices and never allowed his lover to find out but he is worried that his lover is telling him with their eyes. However, in the end, The Weeknd chooses to ignore because he would rather be in an unhappy relationship that not in one at all.
The "In Your Eyes" video stars Zaina Miuccia and The Weeknd (credited as Abel Tesfaye). The first scene finds The Weeknd in the same outfit he has been wearing for all of his music videos in an elevator. Miuccia and an unnamed actor enter the elevator are knifed by The Weeknd. The rest of the video follows Miuccia being stalked by The Weeknd. At the climax of the video, Miuccia grabs a weapon of her own and slices The Weeknd's head off and parades around with it like a trophy. So, What does it mean? I see the beginning as a metaphor for The Weeknd's lover cheating, she is convinced by her suitor that nothing bad will happen but she knows what will happen. The Weeknd chasing Miuccia is a metaphor for how The Weeknd want to stay in the a relationship even though it's toxic. At the climax, Miuccia finally cuts off his head signifying the end of the relationship and dances and laughs around with his head because its finally over. This idea of the lover being miserable is continued in the remix with American singer Doja Cat. Cat mentions how she loves her lover but she knows that the relationship will not last because of how toxic it is. I really like this video with it's colors and cinematography, I also like how much the video reminded of Micheal Jackson's Thriller.
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| Single Cover for "In Your Eyes (Remix) [feat. Doja Cat | ] |
I really enjoy this song, it's truly the best single The Weeknd has released and Doja Cat's remix gives it more depth. I liked the Kenny G remix but i felt like he wasn't utilized enough, the amount of saxophone barely increased. I have linked both remixes down below.
I give “In Your Eyes” 4.9 Michael Jacksons out of 5.
I hope you enjoyed my review. How do you feel about "In Your Eyes"? Leave a comment and a request for Saturday down below. #JusticeForAfterHours.
I listed my sources below in case you are interested in reading more.
Take Care,
Jonathan
