"Blinded" (also known as "Blinded (When I See You)") is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind. It was released in March 2003 as the lead single from their 2003 album, Out of the Vein. It was written by Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar, and Tony Fredianelli. The song received positive reviews from music critics and peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart.
Background "Blinded" was written by Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar, and Tony Fredianelli and was produced by Jenkins.
The protagonist of the song is a man who goes to his ex-lover's apartment and spies on her through the bathroom door, illustrated in lyrics such as "I see you fogging up the mirror / Vapor round your body glistens from the shower."
According to Entertainment Weeklys Tom Sinclair, the song seems to reference The Who's "Pinball Wizard".Sinclair, Tom. "Out of the Vein Review". ew.com. May 7, 2003. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
Release
"Blinded" was released as a single in April 2003."Blinded - Third Eye". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012. It was the second track on Third Eye Blind's 2003 album, Out of the Vein, which was released the following month."Out of the Vein - Third Eye Blind". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
The song also appeared on Third Eye Blind's 2006 compilation album, A Collection."A Collection - Third Eye Blind". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
Critical reception "Blinded" received positive critical reviews. Billboards Chuck Taylor wrote that the song was "a jangly, pop-rooted rocker that reflects the signature style of the band: lyric-loaded, a big chorus, hearty, organic instrumentation, and more than a smattering of sexual innuendo. Adult top 40 and modern rock should take this baby in and give it a happy home.""Singles". Billboard. April 26, 2003. p. 39. Billboards Larry Flick thought that the song would "easily stand the test of time.""Albums". Billboard. May 24, 2003. p. 34. While comparing Out of the Vein to Third Eye Blind's previous work, the Record-Journals Alan Sculley wrote, "Frisky songs like 'Blinded (When I See You)' and 'Crystal Baller' sit comfortably alongside past hits like 'Semi-Charmed Life' and 'Never Let You Go.'"Sculley, Alan. "Third Eye Blind takes their sweet time with latest CD". Record-Journal. May 1, 2003.
Chart performance "Blinded" was the first single released off of Out of the Vein. It spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart and peaked at number 17 on July 5, 2003. It also peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and at number 34 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart.[ "Blinded - Third Eye Blind"]. billboard.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012. It was the only single from Out of the Vein to appear on the charts."Out of the Vein - Third Eye Blind Awards". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
Music video The song's music video was directed by Stephan Jenkins and features the band members fooling around and performing onstage."Blinded (When I See You)". mtv.com. June 24, 2003. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
Credits and personnel Credits and personnel are adapted from the "Blinded (When I See You)" CD single liner notes. Stephan Jenkins – vocals, writer, producer Arion Salazar – writer, producer Tony Fredianelli – writer Jason Carmer – producer, engineering Sean Beresford – engineering Sean Coleman – assistant engineer Tom Lord-Alge – mixing at Southbeach Studio (Miami) Emily Lazar – mastering at The Lodge (New York)
Charts Chart (2003)Peakposition
Release history +Release history and formats for "Blinded"RegionDateFormats(s)Label(s)United StatesMarch 25, 2003Modern rock radioElektraApril 14, 2003Contemporary hit radio
References