Bobby Caldwell, Open Your Eyes | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 56^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Open Your Eyes” by Bobby Caldwell. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 56^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Open Your Eyes”, performed by 🎙 Bobby Caldwell. 

“Darling open your eyes / Let me show you the light / Girl you’ll never find a love that’s right.” So, how does one best describe a white R&B artist? Why, they are a blue-eyed soul artist, of course.  That is a characterization of the late, great 🎙 Bobby Caldwell, who could flat out sing. Sure, people get wrapped up in labels, as well as who traditionally performs what styles of music, but Caldwell’s talents spoke for themselves. One of his most beautiful songs, the exuberant 🎵 “Open Your Eyes”, appeared on his 1980 album,  💿 Cat in the Hat.  Clearly the Cat in the Hat outdid himself with his distinct, expressive tenor shining something fierce.  Sadly, “Open Your Eyes,” which was penned by Caldwell, 🎼 ✍ Bruce Malament, and Norman Harris, did not chart 🤯! Notably, however R&B artists 🎙 John Legend (💿 Love In The Future, 2013) and 🎙 Dwele (💿 Sketches of a Man, 2008) have masterfully covered and reintroduced the underrated gem.  Also, “Open Your Eyes” was sampled in the 2000 🎙 Common classic, 🎵 “The Light”.

Matters of the heart are written all over this soulful joint. In the first verse, Caldwell sings, “You’re still regretting / The love you left, left behind.” He adds, “I’ve seen you go through the changes / Sitting alone each night / Are you expect to find the love / Love that’s right.” Obviously, he’s going to open her eyes regarding her ambitions because, “You may never find a love that’s right.” That said, couldn’t he be the suitor for her? That seems to be what he’s proposing, and honestly, she should indulge: “There is a light that shines / Special for you and me / You need a look at the other side.”  Besides the love-oriented lyrics, the music is to die for.  The piano ostinato is pivotal, the drum groove anchors, and the ripe guitar adds some bite. Ultimately, the brilliance and success of 🎵 “Open Your Eyes” all comes down to those incredible pipes by Bobby. Rest in peace, Mr. Caldwell.

🎙 Bobby Caldwell • 💿 Cat in the Hat • 🏷 Big Deal  • 🗓 1980

Bobby Caldwell, “Open Your Eyes”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 56 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Big Deal; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]