What Does “Eyes Closed” by Jisoo & Zayn Mean?

Pop culture commentator Corey Andrew gives a lyrical analysis of the song “Eyes Closed”

Co-authored by Corey Andrew and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: December 15, 2025 Fact Checked

Song Meaning

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Lyric Analysis

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Music Video

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Why is “Eyes Closed” so popular?

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Song Release

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Other Song Analyses

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Video

If you’re a fan of Blackpink’s Jisoo or former One Direction member Zayn, you’ve probably been listening to their new duet “Eyes Closed” nonstop. But what exactly is the song about, and what does it mean to fall in love with your “eyes closed”? In this article, we’ll dive into this pop hit and explain what the song means, provide an in-depth lyrical analysis, and more, with help from pop culture commentator Corey Andrew. Keep reading to learn all about “Eyes Closed.”

“Eyes Closed” by Jisoo & Zayn Meaning

Pop culture commentator Corey Andrew says “Eyes Closed” by Jisoo and Zayn is about two people falling in love despite the heartbreak they’ve experienced in the past. They don’t care about each other’s histories and want to focus on the future. They trust each other enough to fall in love blindly, or with their “eyes closed.”

Section 1 of 6:

What is “Eyes Closed” about?

“Eyes Closed” is about falling in love without worrying about the past. “At its core, the song explores the uncertain waters of new love while still carrying the weight of past heartbreak,” says Andrew.^{[1]
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Corey Andrew
Pop Culture Commentator

Expert Interview} In the vulnerable duet, Jisoo and Zayn sing about pursuing a new relationship without letting their fears or baggage from past relationships deter them. They’ve both experienced heartbreak but choose to open themselves to love again. By saying they want to fall in love with their eyes closed, they’re expressing their desire to let go of past mistakes and insecurities and focus on the present.^{[2]
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- The song explores the vulnerability and courage it takes to fall in love again after being hurt.
- Because it’s a duet, the song sounds like a conversation between two lovers who have been scarred by past relationships.
- “In my interpretation,” says Andrew, “the central lyric, ‘Better if we fall in love with our eyes closed,’ becomes a metaphor for releasing old wounds—past relationships, past traumas, and the baggage we assume others might be carrying too.” As he explains, “All these concerns are notorious for torpedoing a new relationship.”^{[3]
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- At the end of the day, Andrew says the song is “a velvety-smooth, harmonious warning not to get caught up in your own past or the romantic history of your new romantic interest.”^{[4]
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Meet the wikiHow Expert

Corey Andrew is a pop culture commentator and sought-after pop culture expert. He co-hosts the celebrity gossip podcast "Naughty but Nice" with Rob.

Section 2 of 6:

“Eyes Closed” Lyric Analysis

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The lovers have deep feelings for each other, but they don’t want to rush things. The song opens with the lyrics, “Time is standing still and I don’t wanna leave your lips / Tracing my body with your fingertips / I know what you’re feeling and I know you wanna say it / I do, too, but we gotta be patient.” This implies that the two already have passionate, intimate feelings for each other. However, because they’ve both been hurt in the past, there’s an unspoken understanding between them that they don’t want to rush into things.^{[5]
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They feel like a relationship between them will never work. In the pre-chorus, Jisoo and Zayn sing, “‘Cause someone like me and someone like you / Really shouldn’t work, yeah, the history is proof / Damned if I don’t, damned if I do / You know, by now, we’ve seen it all.” Here, we see that both lovers have been through a lot of heartbreak. Because of their history of failed relationships, it seems unlikely that their relationship will work out. They feel like they’ve “seen it all” when it comes to relationships, but part of them still dares to hope that this could grow into something more.^{[6]
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They want to let go of the past and focus on their future together. In the chorus, they sing, “Said, oh, we should fall in love with our eyes closed / Better if we keep it where we don’t know / The beds we’ve been in, the names and the faces of who we were with.” By closing their eyes, they can try to forget about their past experiences and focus on what they’re feeling in the moment. It also signifies that they trust each other completely and don’t care about each other’s pasts.^{[7]
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- The chorus continues, “And, oh, ain’t nobody perfect, but it’s all good / The past can’t hurt us if we don’t look / Let’s let it go, better if we fall in love with our eyes closed.” The lovers reassure each other that they can let go of the past and build a healthy relationship, despite their flaws or baggage.
- As Andrew explains, “‘Eyes Closed’ flirts with the vulnerability of new beginnings, reminding us that relationships truly bloom only when we release our fears and embrace the thrill of what's possible right now.”^{[8]
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The lovers don’t care about society’s judgment. In the second verse and pre-chorus, Jisoo and Zayn continue, “I got tunnel vision every second that you’re with me / No, I don’t care what anybody says, just kiss me / ‘Cause you look like trouble, but it could be good / I’ve been the same kind of misunderstood.” They don’t care about each other’s reputations because they have similar pasts. They’re willing to forgive and forget each other’s past because “Whatever you’ve done, trust, it ain’t nothing new / You know by now we’ve seen it all.”

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“Eyes Closed” Music Video

In the video, Jisoo and Zayn are on a spaceship traveling through space. They’re the only two passengers awake on the ship and drift through space alone before finding each other mid-orbit and falling in love. The cosmic, futuristic visuals could be a metaphor for looking toward the future in a relationship rather than dwelling on the past.^{[9]
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Why is “Eyes Closed” so popular?

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The stripped-down production makes the song more vulnerable. This pop hit features sensual and minimal instrumentals, allowing listeners to focus on Jisoo and Zayn’s vocals. The song features strong R&B vibes and a catchy beat while being raw and delicate.
- As Andrew explains, the song is sultry and soulful, which “creates a mood that feels both fresh and nostalgic at once.”^{[10]
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Jisoo and Zayn have strong vocal chemistry. “For many K-pop lovers,” explains Andrew, “‘Eyes Closed’ was an unexpected but thrilling collaboration—one of the genre's brightest stars, Jisoo, formerly of BlackPink, and former One Direction member Zayn, in a gorgeously crafted ballad.”^{[11]
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Expert Interview} Jisoo and Zayn’s voices meld together naturally. Jisoo’s voice is delicate and sensual, while Zayn’s is smoky and soulful, creating a perfect call-and-response dynamic. They feel deeply connected throughout the song.
- Andrew agrees that Jisoo and Zayn have “effortless chemistry.” He says, “It's like watching a rom-com unfold in real time, with harmonies so sweet they swirl and wrap around you like a warm blanket on a brisk winter's night.”^{[12]
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- “For me,” Andrew explains, “listening to ‘Eyes Closed’ creates a dreamy escape, an ethereal pop ballad perfection that holds its own among some of the most notable duets in recent years.”^{[13]
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“Eyes Closed” Release & Rollout

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“Eyes Closed” was released on October 10, 2025. Jisoo celebrated the song’s release by making an Instagram post featuring photos of her and Zayn. Her caption reads, “Something very special we’ve been working on is finally out. 🪐 I hope this song reaches many hearts. Let’s never forget that everything we’ve been through was for the future. @Zayn—working with you has been truly special. I’m so grateful for your kindness and your incredible voice. ♥️”
- In the post, Jisoo included a photo of a bouquet of flowers Zayn gave her. An accompanying note reads, “Jisoo, it’s here! HAPPY RELEASE DAY! Big Love, Zayn.”
- “Eyes Closed” is Jisoo’s first official English-language single and her first solo release since her extended play Amortage (2025).
- The song debuted at #10 on the Billboard Global Excl. US, becoming Jisoo’s second Top 10 hit after “Flower” (2023) and Zayn’s first Top 10 hit on the chart. “Eyes Closed” earned 43.9 million streams and 5,000 sold outside the US in its first tracking week.^{[14]
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Jisoo began teasing the song on October 5, 2025. On October 5, Jisoo shared a poster for the upcoming single, showing her in a black leather dress with a mystery silhouette in the background. The caption read, “A duet is near.” The next day, she shared a second teaser with the caption, “Two voices, one orbit. Coming soon.” This poster featured a male figure with his back turned, and fans quickly noticed the tattoo on his head looked similar to Zayn’s. The two officially announced the single on October 8.^{[15]
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- Want to know which Blackpink member you’re most like? Take our “Which Blackpink Member Am I?” quiz to find out!