Eyes on Me (song)

"Eyes on Me" is the theme song of Final Fantasy VIII. Composed by Nobuo Uematsu for the soundtrack and performed by Hong Kong pop diva Faye Wong, the song went on to sell a record breaking 400,000 copies. It also won "Song of the Year (Western Music)" at the 14th Annual Japan Gold Disc Awards in 1999. This was the first time a song from a video game ever won the honor.

The central melody of "Eyes on Me" plays each time Squall and Rinoa share a romantic scene, while an orchestrated version of the song is incorporated to the game's ending theme.

In Game
In the Final Fantasy VIII storyline "Eyes on Me" is written by Julia Heartilly about her love for Laguna Loire. Laguna, a Galbadian soldier, falls in love with Julia, a lounge piano player in a hotel. Laguna would regularly visit the lounge to watch her play but, being notoriously clumsy, he could never convey his feelings to her. She felt the same way, but his nervousness made it difficult for her to let him know.

One night, after they finally told each other how they felt, Julia admitted that she wanted to sing and that she could easily write a song about Laguna, despite her previous difficulty in composing lyrics. "Eyes on Me" is that song, and the feelings conveyed in it are her feelings for him. They spent the night together, but the next day, Laguna was called away to a mission and the two would never see each other again.

"Eyes on Me" becomes a theme for the game as their love is echoed in Squall Leonhart and Rinoa Heartilly's romance, significant because Julia is Rinoa's mother and Laguna is confirmed to be Squall's father. Thus their failed romance is actually fulfilled through their children.

Lyrics
Whenever sang my songs

On the stage, on my own

Whenever said my words

Wishing they would be heard

I saw you smiling at me

Was it real or just my fantasy

You'd always be there in the corner

Of this tiny little bar

My last night here for you

Same old songs, just once more

My last night here with you?

Maybe yes, maybe no

I kind of liked it your way

How you shyly placed your eyes on me

Did you ever know?

That I had mine on you

Darling, so there you are

With that look on your face

As if you're never hurt

As if you're never down

Shall I be the one for you

Who pinches you softly but sure

If a frown is shown then

I will know that you are no dreamer

So let me come to you

Close as I want to be

Close enough for me

To feel your heart beating fast

And stay there as I whisper

How I loved your peaceful eyes on me

Did you ever know

That I had mine on you?

Darling, so share with me

Your love if you have enough

Your Tears if you're holding back

Or pain if that's what it is

How can I let you know

I'm more than the dress and the voice

Just reach me out, then

You will know that you are not dreaming

Darling, so there you are

With that look on your face

As if you're never hurt

As if you're never down

Shall I be the one for you

Who pinches you softly but sure

If a frown is shown then

I will know that you are no dreamer

Fable
The song is included in the Japanese release of Faye Wong's 2000 album Fable as dance remix track called "Eyes On Me - Almighty Radio Mix".

Final Fantasy Song Book "Mahoroba"
"Eyes on Me" is featured in this 2004 album, titled "夏のアルバム -Eyes On Me 日本語Ver." (Natsu no arubamu -Eyes On Me nihongo Ver. lit. Summer's Album -Eyes on Me Japanese ver.). Arranged for vocals by Yuji Hasegawa, it was sung in Japanese by Manami Kiyota.

Lyrics
見つめてた　君の背中 Mitsumeteta kimi no senaka 肩越しの　遠い花火 Katagoshi no tooi hanabi

クラスの友達　来ないうちに二人

Kurasu no tomodachi konai uchi ni futari

急いで選んだ　バスは海へ Isoide eranda basu wa umi e

教室の　君はいつも

Kyoushitsu no kimi wa itsumo

素っ気無くて　遠い人で

Sokkenakute tooi hito de

クラスの友達　いないときに二人

Kurasu no tomodachi inai toki ni futari

目と目あって　気づいた恋

Me to me atte kizuita koi

夏のかおり　運んでくる

Natsu no kaori hakondekuru

遠い日々の　君の笑顔

Tooi hibi no kimi no egao

不安だった　未来は優しく

Fuan datta mirai wa yasashiku

叶ったね　夕暮れの二人の夢

Kanatta ne yuugure no futari no yume

見つめてる　庭の子犬

Mitsumeteru niwa no koinu

肩寄せて　小さな花火

Katayosete chiisa na hanabi

人混み苦手で　逃げた町の灯り

Hitogomi nigate de nigeta machi no akari

君と見れば　優しい色

Kimi to mireba yasashii iro

夏の香り　運んでくる

Natsu no kaori hakondekuru

遠い日々の　君の笑顔

Tooi hibi no kimi no egao

見えなかった　未来は今かな？

Mienakatta mirai wa ima ka na?

話そうよ　星空に二人の夢

Hanasou yo hoshizora ni futari no yume

夏のかおり　運んでいく

Natsu no kaori hakondeiku

遠い日々の　君の笑顔

Tooi hibi no kimi no egao

不安だった　未来は優しく

Fuan datta mirai wa yasashiku

微笑んで　繰り返す二人の夏 Hohoende kurikaesu futari no natsu

Eyes On Me (Ailyn version)
In this demo album by Spanish singer Ailyn, "Eyes On Me" is the tenth track. Released in 2005, the album itself is a collection of Ailyn's favorite anime songs.

Kokoro no Senshi
In 2006, the song was included in Angela Aki's second single. "Eyes On Me -featured in FINAL FANTASY VIII- " is the fourth track that ties the single with the series.

Dissidia Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack
"Eyes On Me" also appears in the ending music as part of a medley of various songs from the series. This version that can be listened in the ending is an instrumental arranged one.

Potion 2: Relaxin' with Final Fantasy
"Eyes On Me (Acoustic Guitar Version)" is a bonus track at the end of the album, and is very calm, as per the album.

Piano Collections: Final Fantasy VIII
"Eyes On Me" appears on the Piano Collections as track 2. Most consider it the easiest of the Piano Collections' vocal song arrangements.

Guitar Solo Final Fantasy Official Best Collection
A solo classical guitar arrangement of "Eyes On Me" is included on the Guitar Solo Final Fantasy Official Best Collection album, performed by Yuji Sekiguchi.

Eyes On Me (Korean version)
MayBee did a cover of the song in Korean and was released in August 11, 2008. Single cover Korean Ending

Eyes On Me (Superfly version)
Eyes On Me will be the theme song of The 3rd Birthday. This time it will be sung by the J-Pop artist Superfly. 

Trivia

 * In Final Fantasy X-2, one of Yuna's battle quotes in the Songstress dressphere is, "Hey, eyes on me!"