Meaning of "Right Before Your Eyes" by America

The lyrics of "Right Before Your Eyes" by America explore the theme of unrequited love and the fear of rejection. The narrator is deeply infatuated with someone they see every day on the bus to Madison Avenue. Despite their close proximity, the person doesn't even know the narrator's name. The narrator, feeling responsible for their own inability to express themselves, struggles with finding the right words. Instead, they escape into a fantasy world, imagining themselves as legendary figures like Rudolph Valentino and Greta Garbo. These figures represent a form of idealized love and allure, as both were iconic symbols of romance in their time.

The narrator yearns for the person to notice them and dreams of a moment where everything changes, symbolized by coming in out of the rain. They fantasize about the person staring at them with intensity, like Greta Garbo, and finally understanding the depth of the narrator's love. The lyrics express a longing for connection and a deep desire for the person to reciprocate their feelings. The repetition of the lyrics emphasizes the narrator's persistence and determination to make their feelings known.

When the narrator eventually gathers the courage to approach the person and express their feelings, they hope for a mutual love. The repeated mention of Rudolph Valentino and Greta Garbo showcases the narrator's belief that they can be just as captivating and desirable. However, the ultimate outcome of their confession remains uncertain, leaving the possibility of rejection still lingering. The lyrics capture the vulnerability and fear that often accompany confessing one's feelings to someone who may not even be aware of their existence.

Overall, "Right Before Your Eyes" delves into the complexities of unrequited love, the internal struggles of expressing oneself, and the longing for reciprocation and connection. It serves as a representation of the universal experience of yearning for someone who may not even know of our existence.