In 2003, American rock band Limp Bizkit released their rendition of “Behind Blue Eyes” on the album Results May Vary. The song, which was originally written by Pete Townshend of The Who, delves into the inner turmoil of a character perceived as a villain, reflecting Townshend’s exploration of themes like loneliness and the burden of power.
The overall vibe of the cover remains true to the original, but Limp Bizkit’s rendition introduces notable alterations to the original, including Fred Durst’s distinctive vocal style. And, in the bridge of the song, Speak & Spell’s even more distinctive vocal style.
While fans were critical of the cover (Rolling Stone magazine readers named it the second-worst cover song of all time), Limp Bizkit’s version achieved moderate success in the United States, peaking at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, it fared better, reaching number one in the Czech Republic and Sweden, and securing top-five positions in countries such as Austria, Germany, and Australia.
The song’s last week on the Billboard Hot 100 came on 5/15/2004, when it was ranked 100 (earning it a spot on this blog).
Despite the polarized opinions, Limp Bizkit’s “Behind Blue Eyes” remains a significant entry in their discography, showcasing their willingness to experiment and reinterpret classic rock staples.
Lyrics:
Behind Blue Eyes
Song by
Limp Bizkit
No one knows what it’s like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
And no one knows what it’s like
To be hated
To be fated
To telling only lies
But my dreams they aren’t this empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That’s never free
No one knows what it’s like
To feel these feelings
Like I do
And I blame you
No one bites back as hard
On their anger
None of my pain and woe
Can show through
But my dreams they aren’t this empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That’s never free
Discover L I M P say it
Discover L I M P say it
Discover L I M P say it
Discover L I M P say it
Discover
No one knows what it’s like
To be mistreated
To be defeated
Behind blue eyes
And no one knows how to say
That they’re sorry
And don’t worry
I’m not telling lies
But my dreams they aren’t this empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That’s never free
No one knows what it’s like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
Songwriters: Peter Dennis Townshend.
Data From: Musixmatch
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