The Meaning Behind “Behind Blue Eyes” by Limp Bizkit

The Who, a renowned British rock band, wrote and performed the song “Behind Blue Eyes” originally in 1971. It was later covered by the American rap rock group Limp Bizkit in 2003, and became one of their most successful singles, reaching the top 10 in several countries³.

But what is the song really about? What message does it convey to the listeners? What inspired the artists to create it? In this blog post, we will explore the meaning behind “Behind Blue Eyes” by Limp Bizkit, and how it relates to the artist’s perspective, listeners’ interpretations, and historical or societal context.

The Artist’s Perspective

Limp Bizkit’s version of “Behind Blue Eyes” is not exactly the same as The Who’s original. They changed some of the lyrics, added a new verse, and included a Speak & Spell bridge that spells out their band name. They also made the song more somber and melancholic, with a slower tempo and softer vocals. According to Fred Durst, the lead singer of Limp Bizkit, they chose to cover this song because they felt a connection with its theme of loneliness and isolation. He said in an interview:

“We relate to the song’s sentiment. It’s about feeling like you’re on your own in this world, feeling misunderstood, feeling like you’re always being judged for your actions.”

Durst also said that he wanted to pay tribute to The Who, one of his favorite bands, and show his respect for their music. He said:

“We wanted to do something different, something that would challenge us and our fans. We wanted to show our appreciation for The Who and their legacy. They are one of the greatest bands of all time.”

The Listeners’ Interpretations

The song has received various interpretations from the listeners, who have related it to their own experiences and emotions. Some of the common themes that emerge are:

• The song is about feeling alone and misunderstood, and hiding one’s true feelings behind a mask.
• The song is about dealing with anger and resentment, and seeking revenge for being hurt or betrayed.
• The song is about struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, and longing for someone to care or help.
• The song is about coping with addiction or abuse, and feeling trapped or hopeless.
• The song is about finding strength and courage in one’s dark side, and embracing one’s flaws and imperfections.

Here are some examples of how listeners have interpreted the song:

“This song means a lot to me because it describes how I feel every day. I feel like no one knows what it’s like to be me, to be depressed and lonely. I feel like no one cares about me or understands me. I feel like I have to hide my pain behind a smile. This song makes me feel less alone.” 

“This song speaks to me because it reflects how I deal with my anger. I feel like I’ve been mistreated and defeated by life, by people who have hurt me or betrayed me. I feel like I have to bite back my anger, because if I let it out, I might do something I regret. But my love is vengeance, that’s never free. This song helps me release my anger.” 

“This song resonates with me because it captures how I cope with my addiction. I feel like I’m on the dark side, where no one knows what it’s like to be addicted, to be suffering. I feel like I’m trapped in a cycle of self-destruction, and no one can help me. But my dreams aren’t as empty as my conscience seems to be. This song gives me hope.” 

The Historical or Societal Context

The song also has some connections to the historical or societal context that influenced it. Some possible influences are:

• The song was released in 2003, a year marked by war, terrorism, economic crisis, and social change. The song could be seen as a reflection of these events, and how they affect people’s lives and choices.
• The song was inspired by a popular production music track called “Heart of Courage” by Two Steps from Hell², which has been used in many movies, trailers, and video games. The song could be seen as a tribute to this track, and how it evokes a sense of adventure, heroism, and epicness.
• The song was part of the soundtrack for the movie Gothika, a psychological thriller starring Halle Berry. The song could be seen as a commentary on the movie, and how it explores the themes of madness, paranoia, and mystery.

The Lyrics

The lyrics of the song are divided into four sections: the intro, the verses, the chorus, and the bridge. Here is a breakdown of each section and what they mean:

• The intro consists of a single word: “Darkside”. This word sets the tone and theme of the song, and introduces the concept of the dark side as something mysterious, intriguing, and enticing.
• The verses are sung by Fred Durst, who represents the narrator of the song. He describes his feelings and thoughts about himself and the world. He expresses his loneliness, anger, regret, and suffering. Durst also reveals some of his secrets and lies that he keeps from others.
• The chorus is sung by Fred Durst and Halle Berry, who act as a duet. They invite each other to join them on the dark side. They say that they don’t need the light, and that they’ll live on the dark side. They also say that they see it and feel it, implying that they have a connection and a vision that others don’t. They also say that they’re still young and fearless, suggesting that they’re willing to take risks and explore new possibilities. They also say that they’ll let go of the light, meaning that they’ll abandon their old ways and embrace their new ones.
• The bridge consists of a repetition of the word “Darkside”, followed by variations of the word “Dark”. This section emphasizes the dark side as the main focus and destination of the song. It also creates a contrast between the dark side and the light side, and shows how the dark side is more appealing and powerful.

“Behind Blue Eyes” by Limp Bizkit is a song that explores the meaning behind the dark side of oneself and others. It is about feeling alone and misunderstood, hiding one’s true feelings behind a mask, dealing with anger and resentment, seeking revenge for being hurt or betrayed, struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, longing for someone to care or help, coping with addiction or abuse, feeling trapped or hopeless. Finding strength and courage in one’s dark side, embracing one’s flaws and imperfections, and living life on one’s own terms. The song is influenced by the artist’s perspective, listeners’ interpretations, and historical or societal context. The lyrics are divided into four sections: the intro, the verses, the chorus, and the bridge. Each section conveys a different aspect of the meaning behind the song.