Meaning of "Your Eyes Were Open" by UB40

The lyrics of "Your Eyes Were Open" by UB40 delve into the themes of desperation, physical suffering, and introspection. The protagonist of the song is in a dire state, both physically and mentally, as he pleads for help from a doctor. The imagery of his body aching limb to limb and his bones glowing through his skin conveys the intense pain and deterioration he is experiencing. His encounter with a doctor who reflects back his past suffering and failures serves as a moment of reflection on one’s life choices and the consequences of one’s actions. The haunting realization that his eyes were open but shut with his mouth, and that he had already forgotten his dreams upon waking, speaks to the idea of being alive but not truly experiencing life to its fullest. The repetition of the line "You'd only just woken, but already, you'd forgotten, what you were dreaming" serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of existence and the tendency of humans to lose sight of their true desires and dreams in the face of everyday struggles. Overall, the song paints a bleak portrait of the human condition, highlighting the fragility of life and the inevitability of suffering and disillusionment.