"Eyes Open" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, from the soundtrack album The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond. The song was written by Swift and produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman. It was released as the second single from the album and was sent to mainstream radio on March 27, 2012.
The re-recorded version of the song was released on March 17, 2023. Using cover art from Red (Taylor's Version), it was included on an EP of Red songs titled The More Red (Taylor's Version) Chapter, alongside "Safe & Sound (Taylor's Version)".
Background[]
The song was one of two songs that Swift wrote and recorded for the soundtrack to the film The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond. Swift first premiered the song during a performance in Auckland for her Speak Now World Tour. Before performing the song she told the crowd: "I'm really excited about it…but, I mean, you don't think I'd get in trouble if I played it now? Probably not, right?". The song was leaked before its official release on March 20, 2012.[1]
Billboard magazine states[2]:
| “ | The stronger of Swift's soundtrack contributions, "Eyes Open" places the singer in her own version of the Hunger Games, trying to stay alert and keep her sense of self as the whole world watches her. A clever spin on the trappings of fame. | ” |
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Everybody's waitin'
Everybody's watchin'
Even when you're sleepin'
Keep your eyes open
[Verse 1]
The tricky thing
Is yesterday, we were just children
Playing soldiers, just pretending
Dreaming dreams with happy endings
In backyards
Winning battles with our wooden swords
But now we've stepped into a cruel world
Where everybody stands and keeps score
[Pre-Chorus]
(Keep your eyes open)
[Chorus]
Everybody's waitin' for you to break down
Everybody's watchin' to see the fallout
Even when you're sleepin', sleepin'
Keep your eyes open
[Post-Chorus]
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
[Verse 2]
So here you are
Two steps ahead and stayin' on guard
Every lesson forms a new scar
They never thought you'd make it this far
But turn around (Turn around)
Oh, they've surrounded you, it's a showdown (Showdown)
And nobody comes to save you now
But you got somethin' they don't
Yeah, you got somethin' they don't
[Pre-Chorus]
You just gotta keep your eyes open
[Chorus]
Everybody's waitin' for you to break down
Everybody's watchin' to see the fallout
Even when you're sleepin', sleepin'
Keep your eyes open
[Post-Chorus]
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes
[Bridge]
Keep your feet ready, heartbeat steady
Keep your eyes open
Keep your aim locked, the night goes dark
Keep your eyes open
(Keep your eyes open)
(Keep your eyes open)
(Keep your eyes open)
(Keep your eyes open)
[Chorus]
Everybody's waitin' for you to break down
Everybody's watchin' to see the fallout
Even when you're sleepin', sleepin'
Keep your eyes open
[Post-Chorus]
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Live performances[]
Swift performed "Eyes Open" live and acoustic, for the first time on the Speak Now World Tour at Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 17, 2012. The song was also performed as a surprise song on acoustic guitar during the Eras Tour in Tokyo, Japan, on February 8, 2024.
Remixes[]
- Eyes Open (Jason Nevins Tempo Radio Mix) 4:03
- Eyes Open (Jason Nevins Tempo Extended Mix) 6:38
Chart performance[]
The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 19 with sales of 176,000 in its first week.[3]
Charts[]
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Australian Recording Industry Association) | 47 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 17 |
| Ireland (Irish Recorded Music Association) | 65 |
| New Zealand (Recording Industry Association of New Zealand) | 6 |
| United Kingdom (The Official Charts Company) | 70 |
| United States (Blllboard Hot 100) | 19 |
Release history[]
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | March 27, 2012 | Mainstream radio | Big Machine Records |
| RED | ||
|---|---|---|
| "State Of Grace" • "Red" • "Treacherous" • "I Knew You Were Trouble" • "All Too Well" • "22" • "I Almost Do" • "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" • "Stay Stay Stay" • "The Last Time" • "Holy Ground" • "Sad Beautiful Tragic" • "The Lucky One" • "Everything Has Changed" • "Starlight" • "Begin Again" | ||
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