The song "Eyes On My Back" by Joseph Arthur explores themes of longing, regret, and the fleeting nature of life. The lyrics express a desire to have "open eyes on [the] back" in order to see and fully appreciate one's life as it passes by. The narrator laments how things that bring happiness and fulfillment often seem to go by too quickly, and once they're gone, they can never be retrieved. The song also touches on feelings of isolation and being trapped. The line "I been alone for so long, it's hard to track" suggests a sense of loneliness and difficulty in connecting with others. The imagery of being in a hole, hidden in the darkness, portrays a feeling of being invisible or overlooked. In the chorus, the lyrics talk about trying to capture something intangible. Trying to take a picture through a dirty window symbolizes the desire to hold onto a moment or memory, but encountering obstacles that prevent clear visibility. Similarly, trying to touch a shadow that fades when you follow highlights the transitory nature of the past, making it difficult to grasp or hold onto. Overall, the song expresses a yearning to fully experience life and cherish meaningful moments before they slip away. It reflects on the frustrations and challenges of trying to capture and retain the beauty and essence of life, while acknowledging the inevitability of loss and the passage of time.
