"Eyes Open" is the third overall single released from the album, The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond and the first official single (the first two were promotional singles). The song is performed and written by Taylor Swift. This is one of two songs that Taylor Swift wrote for The Hunger Games film. "Safe and Sound" was featured at the end of the film during the credits whereas "Eyes Open" was not.
Swift has since re-recorded many of her songs that were originally written and published prior to 2018, "Safe & Sound" and "Eyes Open" included. Both songs, now bearing the title of "(Taylor's Version)," were released at midnight on March 17th 2023 after being teased by Swift the previous day.
Lyrics[]
Everybody's waiting
Everybody's watching
Even when you're sleeping
Keep your eyes open
The tricky thing is
Yesterday we were just children
Playing soldiers, just pretending
Dreaming dreams with happy endings
In backyards
Winning battles with our wooden swords
But now we've stepped into a cruel world
Where everybody stands and keeps score
Keep your eyes open
Everybody's waiting for you to break down
Everybody's watching to see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
So here you are
Two steps ahead and staying on guard
Every lesson forms a new scar
They never thought you'd make it this far
But turn around (turn around)
Oh they've surrounded you it's a showdown (showdown)
And nobody comes to save you now
But you've got something they don't
Yeah you've got something they don't
You've just gotta keep your eyes open
Everybody's waiting for you to break down
Everybody's watching to see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes
Keep your feet ready
Heartbeat steady
Keep your eyes open
Keep your aim locked
The night goes dark
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Everybody's waiting for you to break down
Everybody's watching to see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Charts[]
| Chart | Peak |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 47 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 17 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 6 |
| UK Singles Chart | 70 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 65 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 19 |
| US Pop Songs (Billboard) | 20 |
| US Digital Songs (Billboard) | 4 |
| US Radio Songs (Billboard) | 41 |
Lyric video[]
Taylor Swift - Eyes Open (Lyric Version)
No official music video was released for the song, but a lyric video was released on May 17, 2012. The video features animations of the lyrics to the song.
Trivia[]
- The song was the second top 40 at the Billboard Hot 100 which was featured in the soundtrack of the Hunger Games; the first was Safe & Sound which reached #30.