"Ojos Tristes" blends pop with slow funk, delivering a dreamy vibe. Selena Gomez's angelic vocals glide effortlessly over the bass and indie-like instrumentals, setting a nostalgic, heartfelt tone. The song’s lyrical narrative tells a bittersweet story of love, longing, and emotional release.
Verse 1: Acknowledging Sadness
Selena's verse sets the tone for the emotional turbulence, acknowledging the sadness between her and the subject, while still gently expressing the need to part ways. Her pre-chorus highlights the melancholy, as she pleads for a final embrace before goodbye, emphasizing the sadness in the eyes of the person she's leaving.
Chorus: The Sad Boy with Deep Emotions
The chorus, performed by María Zardoya from The Marias and Selena, is the core of the song, revolving around the metaphor of "el muchacho de los ojos tristes" (the boy with sad eyes). This boy is in need of love and connection, and the comparison to the necessity of air and sunlight conveys a sense of deep emotional dependency. The mix of Spanish and English in the chorus highlights both the universal and personal aspects of the song.
Verse 2: The Shift in Emotions
In the second verse, María reflects on how time has passed, and her own sadness has replaced the boy’s. This shift adds depth to the narrative, showing how love’s pain evolves and leaves its mark on both people involved.
Outro: A Dreamy Farewell
The outro, with its repeating "la-da-da-da" refrain, gives the song a soothing, almost lullaby-like closure, as if the two voices are slowly fading into the distance, lingering with the unresolved emotions.
Ojos Tristes Review
"Ojos Tristes" stands out not just for its emotive storytelling but also for how it intertwines both artists’ vocals to create a shared emotional landscape, where love and heartbreak blend beautifully.
Listen to Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Ojos Tristes
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Ojos Tristes Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "Ojos Tristes" by Selena Gomez is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and emotional transformation. The song delves into the complexities of a relationship marked by both affection and sorrow, capturing the deep sadness of separation and the longing for connection. Through heartfelt lyrics and a blend of dreamy, slow funk instrumentals, the song reflects on the emotional journey of two people who, despite their love for each other, must face the inevitable pain of parting. The imagery of "sad eyes" becomes a symbol of both the internal struggles of the characters and the shared emotional weight they carry throughout their bond.
Verse 1: Selena Gomez
The song begins with Selena Gomez acknowledging the deep pain and sadness the other person is feeling. In the lines, "No, it's not hard to see / That you probably feel worse than me," she recognizes that the other person may be suffering more than she is, even though they are both in pain. She expresses that it is not their fault she has to leave, as shown in the lyric, "It's not your fault I have to leave," and pleads with them not to look at her with sadness, adding, "Please don't you look that way, baby." This sets the tone for a relationship filled with mutual understanding but also inevitable separation.
Pre-Chorus: Selena Gomez
In the pre-chorus, Selena directly addresses the other person's sadness: "Those sad eyes, sad eyes / You know I don't wanna say goodbye." These lines highlight the emotional weight of their parting, as she reassures them that she does not want to say goodbye, but it is unavoidable. Her comforting words, "Don't cry, don't cry / Just hold me for one last time," reflect her desire to share one last intimate moment before they separate, even as they both struggle with the pain of letting go.
Chorus: María Zardoya & Selena Gomez
The chorus, sung by María Zardoya and Selena Gomez, introduces the "muchacho de los ojos tristes" (the boy with sad eyes), who symbolizes loneliness and the need for love. The lyric, "El muchacho de los ojos tristes / Vive solo y necesita amor," portrays him as someone who lives alone and craves affection as much as he needs air to breathe. The comparison to air and sunlight in the line "Como el aire, necesita verme / Como al Sol, lo necesito yo" emphasizes how essential their connection is to both of them. He has finally found a reason to smile and be happy, "Ha encontrado al fin una razón," thanks to her love and affection, which has the power to make his sad eyes light up. Her kisses and love are what bring him joy, as seen in the line, "Para hacer que su mirada ría / Con mis besos y mi gran amor."
Verse 2: María Zardoya
In the second verse, María Zardoya reflects on the passage of time, saying, "Han pasado dos años / Te sigo pensando en todos mis sentidos." She reveals that even though two years have passed, she still thinks about the person constantly, with all her senses, indicating how vivid the memories of their relationship remain. The metaphor "Antes eran tus ojos lloviendo en otoño / Y ahora son los míos" describes the emotional shift, as the sadness once reflected in his eyes has now become her own.
Pre-Chorus: María Zardoya
In María's pre-chorus, she reflects on how their love has changed: "Cómo cambió, amor / Felices éramos los dos." They were once happy together, but now, she is the one experiencing sadness. The lyric "Y ahora lloro, por Dios / Tristeza en mí amaneció" conveys how this sadness has become a part of her life, waking up with her every day, as if it has dawned within her.
Chorus: María Zardoya & Selena Gomez, Selena Gomez
The repetition of the chorus further reinforces the emotional connection between the two characters. The boy with sad eyes still needs love, and the singer still feels the necessity of being with him, as if their connection is an essential part of life. The line "El muchacho de los ojos tristes (That boy is sad) / Ha encontrado al fin una razón (I wanna hold him)" continues to emphasize how their love brings light to his sadness and provides a reason for happiness.
Outro: María Zardoya & Selena Gomez, María Zardoya
The outro, consisting of soft, repetitive "La-da-da-da" melodies, feels like a soothing, peaceful closure to the emotional journey of the song. Although the song deals with themes of love, loss, and sadness, the outro brings a sense of calm and resolution, even as the underlying emotions of longing and heartache remain.
Ojos Tristes Meaning
"Ojos Tristes" beautifully explores the complexities of love, sadness, and emotional transformation in relationships. The lyrics emphasize how love can bring both joy and sorrow and how the roles of sadness and strength can shift between partners over time, creating a deeply moving narrative about connection and loss.
[Verse 1: Selena Gomez]
“No, it's not hard to see
That you probably feel worse than me”
Selena acknowledges the deep pain and sadness the other person is feeling. She sees it clearly and recognizes that, despite her own feelings, the other person may be suffering even more.
“It's not your fault I have to leave
Please don't you look that way, baby”
Selena implies that circumstances beyond the other person’s control are forcing her to leave, emphasizing that it’s not their fault. The plea, "Please don't you look that way," shows how heartbroken she is to see the sadness in the person's eyes, but she feels she has no choice but to go.
[Pre-Chorus: Selena Gomez]
“Those sad eyes, sad eyes
You know I don't wanna say goodbye”
Here, Selena directly addresses the sadness in the other person’s eyes. She expresses that she doesn’t want to part ways, but it seems inevitable. There’s an emotional weight to the moment, as they are both struggling with the idea of separation.
“Don't cry, don't cry
Just hold me for one last time”
In this line, she’s trying to comfort the other person, asking them not to cry, despite the overwhelming sadness. The request to hold her "one last time" signifies a farewell, but it also shows a desire to share a final intimate moment before they part.
[Chorus: María Zardoya & Selena Gomez]
“El muchacho de los ojos tristes
Vive solo y necesita amor
Como el aire, necesita verme
Como al Sol, lo necesito yo”
The chorus introduces "el muchacho de los ojos tristes" (the boy with sad eyes), a symbol of loneliness and the need for love. He lives alone and craves love and connection as much as he needs air to breathe. The comparison to air and sunlight is a metaphor for how essential this love and connection is to him — just as he needs air, she needs him too.
“El muchacho de los ojos tristes (That boy is sad)
Ha encontrado al fin una razón (I wanna hold him)
Para hacer que su mirada ría (And seize the night)
Con mis besos y mi gran amor”
The boy has finally found a reason to smile and be happy, thanks to her love and affection. Her kisses and love are what bring him joy, making his sad eyes light up. The interplay of Spanish and English reinforces the emotional connection, emphasizing the universal nature of love and sadness.
[Verse 2: María Zardoya]
“Han pasado dos años
Te sigo pensando en todos mis sentidos
Antes eran tus ojos lloviendo en otoño
Y ahora son los míos”
María reflects on the passage of time, saying that two years have gone by, yet she still thinks about this person with all her senses, indicating that the memories are vivid and alive. The imagery of "eyes raining in autumn" suggests sadness and emotional turmoil, originally seen in the other person’s eyes, but now the roles are reversed — it is María’s eyes that reflect the sadness.
[Pre-Chorus: María Zardoya]
“Cómo cambió, amor
Felices éramos los dos
Y ahora lloro, por Dios
Tristeza en mí amaneció”
María reflects on how things have changed in their relationship. They used to be happy, but now, she is the one crying, experiencing the deep sadness that once was in the other person. "Tristeza en mí amaneció" (sadness dawned in me) suggests that her sorrow is now a part of her life, waking up with her every day.
[Chorus: María Zardoya & Selena Gomez, Selena Gomez]
“El muchacho de los ojos tristes
Vive solo y necesita amor
Como el aire, necesita verme
Como al Sol, lo necesito yo”
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the deep emotional bond between the two characters in the song. The boy still needs love, and she still feels the necessity of being with him, as if it’s an essential part of life.
“El muchacho de los ojos tristes (That boy is sad)
Ha encontrado al fin una razón (I wanna hold him)
Para hacer que su mirada ría (And seize the night)
Con mis besos y mi gran amor”
Again, the boy’s sadness is alleviated through love, and the connection between them becomes the driving force for his happiness.
[Outro: María Zardoya & Selena Gomez, María Zardoya]
“La-da-da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da
La-da-da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da
La-da-da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da
La-da-da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da”
The outro consists of a soft, repetitive melody, which feels like a gentle, soothing closure to the emotional rollercoaster of the song. It’s almost like a lullaby, giving a sense of peace, even though the underlying emotions of sadness and longing still linger.
Ojos Tristes Meaning
The lyrics of "Ojos Tristes" tell a heartfelt story of love, separation, and emotional evolution. Both Selena Gomez and María Zardoya’s parts reflect a shared sadness, where one partner’s sorrow becomes the other’s over time. The song beautifully explores the complexity of emotions in relationships, emphasizing how love can be both a source of joy and heartache, and how roles of sadness and strength can shift between partners over time.
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Ojos Tristes
[Verse 1: Selena Gomez]
No, it's not hard to see
That you probably feel worse than me
It's not your fault I have to leave
Please don't you look that way, baby
[Pre-Chorus: Selena Gomez]
Those sad eyes, sad eyes
You know I don't wanna say goodbye
Don't cry, don't cry
Just hold me for one last time
[Chorus: María Zardoya & Selena Gomez]
El muchacho de los ojos tristes
Vive solo y necesita amor
Como el aire, necesita verme
Como al Sol, lo necesito yo
El muchacho de los ojos tristes (That boy is sad)
Ha encontrado al fin una razón (I wanna hold him)
Para hacer que su mirada ría (And seize the night)
Con mis besos y mi gran amor
[Verse 2: María Zardoya]
Han pasado dos años
Te sigo pensando en todos mis sentidos
Antes eran tus ojos lloviendo en otoño
Y ahora son los míos
[Pre-Chorus: María Zardoya]
Cómo cambió, amor
Felices éramos los dos
Y ahora lloro, por Dios
Tristeza en mí amaneció
[Chorus: María Zardoya & Selena Gomez, Selena Gomez]
El muchacho de los ojos tristes
Vive solo y necesita amor
Como el aire, necesita verme
Como al Sol, lo necesito yo
El muchacho de los ojos tristes (That boy is sad)
Ha encontrado al fin una razón (I wanna hold him)
Para hacer que su mirada ría (And seize the night)
Con mis besos y mi gran amor
[Outro: María Zardoya & Selena Gomez, María Zardoya]
La-da-da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da
La-da-da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da
La-da-da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da
La-da-da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da