About

The Song

"Behind These Hazel Eyes" is the third single (the second in Europe) from Breakaway, the second album by pop singer, Kelly Clarkson. Released in 2005, the song was co-written by Clarkson, Max Martin, and Dr. Luke and was co-produced by Max Martin and Dr. Luke.
In this song, Clarkson laments her relationship with a man who has broken her heart and who does not care about how much he hurt her. The lyrics are based on a true story, and are about an ex-boyfriend of Clarkson's (David Hodges) who left her in order to marry his ex girlfriend.
In a recent 2008 interview, Clarkson revealed that at one point "Behind These Hazel Eyes" was going to be the working title for her album "Breakaway", (later considering being dropped from the album completely) but quickly changed due to the growing popularity of the single of the same name "Breakaway". Other titles she said were considered were "Walk Away" (later released as a single) and "Hear Me".

Music Video

The music video for "Behind These Hazel Eyes", like the lyrics of the song, also includes autobiographical material. In the video, Clarkson is seen as a bride, who looks uneasy, and is then forced to confront another version of herself in a surreal, dark, gothic forest. At first she tries to pretend that everything in her relationship is all right, and runs away, only to trip and fall into mud. Clarkson seems upset, but then realizes the other version of her is helping her to realize the true nature of the relationship. She must let herself go, and break free from the grasp that her husband-to-be placed around her.

It is only then that she realizes that the wedding cannot continue as she comes to terms with herself and what the marriage will mean. To the horror of the groom, the pastor, and the wedding guests, Clarkson begins to scream, tosses her ring back at the groom, and begins to leave the church. Several guests try to stop her, but she only pushes them away, running until she reaches the light of the opening church doors. She is finally free.

The video is based heavily on Clarkson's own personal experiences. She is credited with the concept and ideas behind it; it was directed by Joseph Kahn. "Behind These Hazel Eyes" quickly found a large fanbase on MTV's TRL, becoming a regular number-one request. Finally, fifty days later, on August 3, 2005, the video was retired from the top-ten countdown. Clarkson holds the record for the longest stay by a female at number one, with thirty-three days, nearly surpassing the record previously set by the Backstreet Boys.

Lyrics

Seems like just yesterday
You were a part of me
I used to stand so tall
I used to be so strong
Your arms around me tight
Everything, it felt so right
Unbreakable, like nothin' could go wrong
Now I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hanging on

Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes

I told you everything
Opened up and let you in
You made me feel alright
For once in my life
Now all that's left of me
Is what I pretend to be
So together, but so broken up inside
'Cause I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hangin' on

Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes

Swallow me then spit me out
For hating you, I blame myself
Seeing you it kills me now
No, I don't cry on the outside
Anymore...

Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes

Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes