Mr. Write's Page

As I’ve often observed, I enjoy all kinds of music, as long as it isn’t rap, country, or Italian opera.

There are a few exceptions, of course. For example, anything by Johnny Cash. And now and then, a pretty good “country rock” song will pop up.

Back in the old days, that happened regularly with The Eagles, who started out as rockers and evolved into a country band.

You could see it coming in “Lyin’ Eyes.”

Lyin’ Eyes

By The Eagles, 1975
Written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey

City girls just seem to find out early
How to open doors with just a smile.
A rich old man, and she won’t have to worry.
She’ll dress up all in lace and go in style.

Late at night, a big old house gets lonely.
I guess every form of refuge has its price.
And it breaks her heart to think her love is only
Given to a man with hands as cold as ice.

So she tells him she must go out for the evening
To comfort an old friend who’s feelin’ down.
But he knows where she’s goin’ as she’s leavin’.
She’s headed for the cheatin’ side of town.

You can’t hide your lyin’ eyes.
And your smile is a thin disguise.
I thought by now you’d realize
There ain’t no way to hide your lyin’ eyes.

On the other side of town, a boy is waiting,
with fiery eyes and dreams no one could steal.
She drives on through the night, anticipating,
‘Cause he makes her feel the way she used to feel.

She rushes to his arms, they fall together.
She whispers that it’s only for a while.
She swears that soon, she’ll be comin’ back forever.
She pulls away and leaves him with a smile.

You can’t hide your lyin’ eyes.
And your smile is a thin disguise.
I thought by now you’d realize
There ain’t no way to hide your lyin’ eyes.

She gets up and pours herself a strong one
And stares out at the stars up in the sky.
Another night — it’s gonna be a long one.
She draws the shade and hangs her head to cry.

She wonders how it ever got this crazy.
She thinks about a boy she knew in school.
Did she get tired, or did she just get lazy?
She’s so far gone she feels just like a fool.

My, oh, my, you sure know how to arrange things.
You set it up so well, so carefully.
Ain’t it funny how your new life didn’t change things.
You’re still the same old girl you used to be.

You can’t hide your lyin’ eyes.
And your smile is a thin disguise.
I thought by now you’d realize
There ain’t no way to hide your lyin’ eyes.
There ain’t no way to hide your lyin’ eyes.
Honey, you can’t hide your lyin’ eyes.