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Eyes Open (song)

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This article is about the song by Taylor Swift. For other songs, see Eyes Open (disambiguation) § Music.
"Eyes Open"
Cover artwork of "Eyes Open" featuring Swift in a grassland
Single by Taylor Swift
from the album The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond
ReleasedMarch 27, 2012 (2012-3-27)
GenreAlternative rock
Length4:04
LabelBig Machine
Songwriter(s)Taylor Swift
Producer(s)
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"Ours"
(2011) 		"Eyes Open"
(2012) 		"Both of Us"
(2012)
The Hunger Games singles chronology
"Eyes Open"
(2012) 		"Atlas"
(2013)
Lyric video
"Eyes Open" on YouTube

"Eyes Open" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for the soundtrack to the 2012 film The Hunger Games. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Eyes Open" is an alternative rock song with chiming guitars. Its lyrics are about staying strong during hardships, told from the perspective of the film's protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. The track was released as a single from the soundtrack on March 27, 2012.

Music critics commented that the song's rock sound showcased Swift's expanding artistry beyond her previous country pop songs. At the 2012 Teen Choice Awards, the track won Choice Single – Female. "Eyes Open" charted and received certifications in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. It additionally charted in Ireland and the United Kingdom. A re-recording titled "Eyes Open (Taylor's Version)" was released on March 17, 2023, as part of Swift's re-recordings of her back catalog, following the 2019 dispute over the ownership of the masters of her first six albums.

Background and composition

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Taylor Swift wrote two songs for the soundtrack to the 2012 film The Hunger Games: "Safe & Sound" and "Eyes Open". She wrote the former with the Civil Wars and the latter by herself.[1] According to Swift, "Eyes Open" is about the Hunger Games protagonist Katniss Everdeen's relationship with the Capitol. She described the song as the opposite of the melancholic "Safe & Sound", stating that "[it is] more frantic and fast-paced, a completely different shade of music".[2]

"Eyes Open" is four minutes and four seconds long.[3] It is an alternative rock[4][5] power ballad[6] instrumented by dynamic guitar riffs.[7] Billboard's Jason Lipshutz wrote that the song was situated within the "modern rock vein",[8] and USA Today's Brian Mansfield thought that Swift was inspired by her love for pop-punk.[9]

According to Annie Zaleski, "Eyes Open" showcases Swift's "heavy rock 'n' roll persona" and its "lurching guitars and gouging grooves" evoke the styles of space rock bands like Hum and Failure.[10] Told from the perspective of Katniss Everdeen, the lyrics depict her defiance to keep her eyes open to watch out for enemies and challenges.[10]

Release and commercial performance

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Swift performed an acoustic version of "Eyes Open" at a concert in Auckland on March 17, 2012, as part of her Speak Now World Tour.[11] The song was leaked before its official release date of March 20, 2012, in tandem with the release of the soundtrack;[7][8] a lyric video was also released.[6] The single was sent to contemporary hit radio in the United States on March 27, 2012, by Big Machine and Republic Records.[12] "Eyes Open" won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Music – Single (Female) at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards.[13]

In the United States, "Eyes Open" entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 19, which was also its peak position.[14] After it was sent to radio, the single debuted on the Pop Songs airplay chart at number 28[15] and eventually peaked at number 20.[16] In December 2012, "Eyes Open" received a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America for surpassing one million digital copies sold;[17] it became Swift's sixteenth million-seller and her second from the soundtrack, after "Safe & Sound".[18] By November 2017, the song had sold 1.4 million digital copies in the United States.[19]

Elsewhere, "Eyes Open" charted in various Anglophone territories, at number 17 in Canada,[20] number 47 in Australia,[21] number 65 in Ireland,[22] and number 70 in the United Kingdom.[23] In New Zealand, the song debuted and peaked at number six and was certified gold by Recorded Music NZ.[24][25]

Critical reception

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The song was generally well received by contemporary critics, most of whom highlighted its rock-oriented production as a departure from Swift's previous country pop releases. It was selected as one of the soundtrack's standouts by Matt Bjorke of Roughstock[26] and Christina Jaleru of the Associated Press, who complimented its lyrics as a double entendre for Katniss's narrative and celebrity culture at large.[27] Newsday's Glenn Gamboa considered the track a pleasant surprise for featuring Swift's "hardest rock performance" vocally.[28] Allison Stewart of The Washington Post lauded the song as a "perfect inner monologue" of Katniss.[29] In a review for The Gazette, Bernard Perusse described "Eyes Open" as an anthem that would be as popular as the movie.[30]

In June 2022, Business Insider ranked "Eyes Open" as Swift's third-best soundtrack song, behind "Safe & Sound" (also for The Hunger Games, 2011) and "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" (for Fifty Shades Darker: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, 2017).[31] Alexis Petridis from The Guardian was less enthusiastic, considering the rock sound of "Eyes Open" a teaser for Swift's more exciting sounds on her forthcoming album Red (2012).[4]

Personnel

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Adapted from the liner notes of The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond[3]

  • Taylor Swift – producer, writer
  • Nathan Chapman – producer, recording
  • Chad Carlson – recording
  • Jason Wormer – recording
  • Jason Campbell – production coordinator
  • Mike Piersante – mixing

Charts

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Chart performance for "Eyes Open"
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[21] 47
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] 17
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[32] 34
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[33] 23
Ireland (IRMA)[22] 65
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[24] 6
UK Singles (OCC)[23] 70
US Billboard Hot 100[34] 19
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[16] 20
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[35] 50
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[36] 11
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[37] 21

Certifications

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Certifications for "Eyes Open"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[38] Gold 35,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[25] Gold 7,500*
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

"Eyes Open (Taylor's Version)"

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"Eyes Open (Taylor's Version)"
Song by Taylor Swift
ReleasedMarch 17, 2023 (2023-03-17)
Length4:03
Label
Songwriter(s)Taylor Swift
Producer(s)
Audio
"Eyes Open (Taylor's Version)" on YouTube

On March 17, 2023, Swift released "Eyes Open (Taylor's Version)", a re-recorded version of "Eyes Open", via Republic Records.[39][40] The song is part of Swift's re-recording plan following the 2019 dispute over the ownership of the masters of her older discography, after the talent manager Scooter Braun acquired Big Machine Records, including the masters of Swift's albums which the label had released.[41][42] By re-recording the albums, Swift had full ownership of the new masters, which enabled her to control the licensing of her songs for commercial use and therefore substituted the Big Machine–owned masters.[43]

"Eyes Open (Taylor's Version)" was released for streaming and download as an independent track without appearing on any album.[44] It was included on a streaming-only compilation titled The More Red (Taylor's Version) Chapter.[45]

Personnel

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Credits are adapted from Tidal.[46]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Eyes Open (Taylor's Version)"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[47] 9
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[48] 15
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[49] 18
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[50] 18
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[51] 9
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[52] 6
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[53] 48

References

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  1. ^ Willman, Chris (March 12, 2012). "Taylor Swift Talks About Her Hunger to Contribute to The Hunger Games—Exclusive!". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  2. ^ Cooper, Brittany Joy (March 20, 2012). "Taylor Swift Spills About Writing 'Eyes Open' for The Hunger Games Soundtrack". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Various Artists (2012). The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond (CD liner notes). Lionsgate / Universal Music Group. B001665302.
  4. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (April 26, 2019). "Taylor Swift's singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  5. ^ Jones, Nate (August 13, 2020). "All 162 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked". Vulture. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Hunger Games video posted on YouTube". The Windsor Star. March 20, 2012. p. B5.
  7. ^ a b Kellogg, Jane (March 18, 2012). "Taylor Swift Debuts 'Eyes Open' From Hunger Games Soundtrack (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (March 15, 2012). "Taylor Swift Keeps 'Eyes Open' on New Hunger Games Tune". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 8, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  9. ^ Mansfield, Brian (March 19, 2012). "Hunger Games soundtrack goes to a dystopian future via the past". USA Today. p. D4. ProQuest 928954348.
  10. ^ a b Zaleski 2024, p. 104.
  11. ^ Josh, Grossman (March 19, 2012). "Taylor Swift Unveils Hunger Games Song 'Eyes Open'". E! Online. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  12. ^ "Available for Airplay". FMQB. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  13. ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2012: List of winners". CBS News. July 23, 2012. Archived from the original on April 29, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  14. ^ Trust, Gary (March 28, 2012). "Fun. Notch Fourth Week Atop Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  15. ^ "Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez Storm Pop Songs". Billboard.com. April 2, 2012. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  16. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  17. ^ a b "American single certifications – Taylor Swift – Eyes Open". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  18. ^ "Week Ending July 15, 2012. Songs: Blow Me (One More Hit)". yahoo.com. July 18, 2012.
  19. ^ Trust, Gary (November 26, 2017). "Ask Billboard: Taylor Swift's Career Album & Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 26, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  20. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  21. ^ a b "Taylor Swift – Eyes Open". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "Irish-charts.com – Discography Taylor Swift". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  23. ^ a b "Taylor Swift: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  24. ^ a b "Taylor Swift – Eyes Open". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  25. ^ a b "New Zealand single certifications – Taylor Swift – Eyes Open". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  26. ^ "Various Artists - The Hunger Games Soundtrack". Archived from the original on May 29, 2012.
  27. ^ Jaleru, Christina (March 22, 2012). "The Hunger Games songs deliver soulful despair". Associated Press. ProQuest 1178640405.
  28. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (March 20, 2012). "Their latest is a mild kick in The Shins". Newsday. p. B4. ProQuest 929015043.
  29. ^ Stewart, Allison (March 20, 2012). "Singles File". The Washington Post. p. C3. ProQuest 929015055.
  30. ^ Perusse, Bernard (March 20, 2012). "New promise at a new port of call". The Gazette. p. C2. ProQuest 951073047.
  31. ^ Ahlgrim, Callie; Larocca, Courteney (June 26, 2022). "All 8 of Taylor Swift's soundtrack songs, ranked". Business Insider. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  32. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  33. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  34. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  35. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  36. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  37. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  38. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  39. ^ MacCary, Julia (March 16, 2023). "Taylor Swift Is Dropping Four Unreleased Songs Ahead of Her Eras Tour Start". Variety. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  40. ^ Aniftos, Rania (March 17, 2023). "Taylor Swift Drops Four New Songs Ahead of 'The Eras Tour' Launch: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  41. ^ "Taylor Swift Wants to Re-Record Her Old Hits". BBC News. August 22, 2019. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  42. ^ Finnis, Alex (November 17, 2020). "Taylor Swift Masters: The Controversy around Scooter Braun Selling the Rights to Her Old Music Explained". i. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  43. ^ Shah, Neil (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift Releases New Fearless Album, Reclaiming Her Back Catalog". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  44. ^ Faguy, Ana (March 17, 2023). "Where Are Taylor Swift's 4 New Songs? Fans Struggle To Find New Tracks On Streaming Platforms". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  45. ^ "The More Red (Taylor's Version) Chapter". Apple Music. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  46. ^ "'Eyes Open (Taylor's Version)' / Taylor Swift". Tidal. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  47. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  48. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 27, 2023. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  49. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  50. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  51. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  52. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  53. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2023.

Source

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