"Behind These Hazel Eyes" is the third single (the second in Europe) from Breakaway, the second album by pop rock singer, Kelly Clarkson.

Released in 2005, the song debuted to much pressure from critics, expecting it to duplicate the great success of its predecessor, "Since U Been Gone". Although this feat was unable to be accomplished, the song overall was another big release from Clarkson, and made it well into the top-ten of all the charts it charted on, and reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100. "Behind These Hazel Eyes" also performed well in Australia, where it peaked at number six, the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number nine, and Canada, where it peaked at number four.

The single was co-written by Clarkson, Max Martin, and Dr. Luke and was co-produced by Max Martin and Dr. Luke. Surprisingly, the single almost did not appear on the album. When Clarkson was creating the album Breakaway, she was not satisfied with the song's original lyrical content and had considered leaving it off the album.

However, after a relationship problem, she saw new potential in the song she had once dismissed. A lengthy discussion with Dr. Luke ensued, and the song was rewritten with a new theme and darker lyrics representing a very personal part of Clarkson's life of the heartache she had suffered at his hands. In this dark song, Kelly laments her relationship with a man who has broken her heart and does not care about the tears behind her hazel eyes. The lyrics are based on a true story, and are about an ex-boyfriend of Clarkson's (David Hodges) who left her in order to marry his own ex-girlfriend.

Music video

The video for "Behind These Hazel Eyes", like the lyrics of the song, also includes autobiographical material. In the video, Clarkson is seen as a bride, who looks uneasy, and is then forced to confront another version of herself in a surreal, dark, gothic forest. At first she tries to pretend that everything in her relationship is all right, and runs away, only to trip and fall into mud. Clarkson seems upset, but then realizes the other version of her is helping her to realize the true nature of the relationship. She must let herself go, and break free from the grasp that her husband-to-be placed around her.

It is only then that she realizes that the wedding cannot continue as she comes to terms with herself and what the marriage will mean. To the horror of the groom, the pastor, and the wedding guests, Clarkson begins to scream, tosses her ring back at the groom, and begins to leave the church. Several guests try to stop her, but she only pushes them away, running until she reaches the light of the opening church doors. She is finally free.

The video is based heavily on Clarkson's own personal experiences. She is credited with the concept and ideas behind it; it was directed by Joseph Kahn. "Behind These Hazel Eyes" quickly found a large fanbase on MTV's TRL, becoming a regular number-one request. Finally, fifty days later, on August 3 2005, the video was retired from the top-ten countdown. Clarkson holds the record for the longest stay by a female at number one, with thirty-three days, nearly surpassing the record previously set by the Backstreet Boys.

Chart performance

Following the biggest hit of Clarkson's career and one of the biggest hits of 2005, there was pressure for "Behind These Hazel Eyes" also to perform well. Although the single did not perform as well as its predecessor, overall it did not disappoint, and entered the top-ten on most of the charts it entered, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also became notable because it reached the top-ten while her previous single, "Since U Been Gone", was still there. ("Since U Been Gone" started this pattern, accomplishing this when it entered the top-ten while "Breakaway" was still there.) It should also be noted that Clarkson was pushed back by relatively weak downloads, as the song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay.

Clarkson also made history when "Behind These Hazel Eyes" along with "Since U Been Gone" made her the first artist ever in history to have two songs in the top-three of the Billboard Pop 100 Airplay at the same time. The song entered the Canadian chart at number twenty-eight. Three months after its release, the song peaked at number four for three weeks. However, after reaching its peak position, "Behind These Hazel Eyes" quickly slipped out of the top-fifty.

"Behind These Hazel Eyes" debuted and peaked at number six in Australia.