The song "Behind Blue Eyes" is by the English rock band The Who. It was written by Pete Townshend and released as the second single from their 1971 album Who's Next.
The song was originally part of Townshend's aborted Lifehouse project and is sung from the perspective of the main villain, Jumbo, who is conflicted and anguished by his position and actions.
Townshend described the song as the villain's theme, expressing feelings of being misunderstood and forced into a role he did not want.
The lyrics reflect a deep internal struggle and vulnerability behind the outward appearance, encapsulated in the line "No one knows what it’s like / To be the bad man / To be the sad man / Behind blue eyes."
The song is known for its emotional depth, combining tender and tough elements, and has become one of The Who's signature tracks.
Roger Daltrey, the band's lead vocalist, delivered a powerful performance on the track, influenced by personal grief at the time of recording, which added to the song's emotional intensity.
Over the years, "Behind Blue Eyes" has been covered by various artists, including Limp Bizkit and Sheryl Crow, and remains a poignant study of identity, ethics, and mental balance.
In summary, the "who" behind "Behind Blue Eyes" is The Who, with Pete Townshend as the songwriter who created the song as an expression of a conflicted villain's inner turmoil within the Lifehouse narrative.
