The Holy River is one of my all time favorite Prince songs, I consider it an absolutely amazing, epic song. But the one thing that I have never understood was what picture he was referring to with the "one eye staring at nothing at all". I'm sure if anyone knows what it is, it has to be someone here.

It's pretty self-explanatory. One eye is staring at nothing at all, while the other one is trying to focus through all the tears. I guess the person was staring into space, started crying, and the tears welled up in one eye but not in the other.

It's my favorite song.

You try to hide pain by ignoring what hurts you, but somehow you just can't help it and one part of you gives in, but the other one still tries to ignore it.


What the post above explains is just the words and the picture they paint, not the actual meaning of it.

I read is as:

"I still see the picture upon the wall, with one eye staring at at nothing at all, the other trying to focus through all the tears"

What I've assumed is that he was referring to an actual picture hanging on the wall. Maybe I was wrong this entire time!

I believe he was talking about the poster of him from the 1999 era that is a head shot of himin the infamous purple jacket. Both eyes defintely look a bit different and he is basically stating where he was at as a person/soul at that time if his life. And yes this is a classic and very inspiring song from P.

Speaking of the song in general, I love it near the end when it sounds like it's over...and then here comes Prince busting out his signature guitar! It sounds so raw and unedited, kind of like he finished the song and said "wait, we need some guitar in here", did it in one take, and slapped it on the end. It's absolutely brilliant.

Dave1992 said:

this is how I see it...

Cmosfm said:

.
...means that EVERYONE HUMAN has a 3rd eye...but very,very rarely does anyone bother 2 open that eye...
..mzsexybaby

There's is (or was) an actual picture hanging up at paisley of an eye staring at nothing at all. I remember seeing it. But of course, in the song it's something literal that's symbolic of something else.

No references to sex?

piepie1976 said:

Also, on the early albums, the vinyl labels had a photo of Prince's eye on them. I thought it could refer to his WB days (along with some of the other parts in the song).

I adore this song...I actully didn't think those were the lyrics...I thought he was singing..."The one I'm staring at ain't nothing at all." Believeing that it meant that a picture doesn't mean as much as the real person does.

When Prince says, these are much different tears...I believe the tears are a very deep longing for someone's love.

This is what he's talking about...

Revolution said:

Umm, there are two eyes in that painting...and they both appear to be "staring" in the same direction.

jone70 said:

The song makes reference to two eyes...and the picture upon the wall.
How many hints do ya need?

It's a reference to his older days and the picture seen at the end of the When doves Cry video. The eyes and the tears rolling down. "One eye staring at nothing at all, the other one trying to focus thru all the tears". This same picture was also in the Kid's bedroom in Purple Rain(obscured by a lot of other things but still there).

Revolution said:

These are the lyrics:

U can still see the picture upon the wall
One eye staring at nothing at all
The other one trying 2 focus through all your tears

The painting in the photograph you posted has two eyes staring at nothing at all and no tears.

I think what HonestMan13 makes more sense. Sorry.

jone70 said:

There is another picture of him on the wall at Paisley Park with only one eye exposed; the other is hidden by his hair. That's the photo he's referring to. It's been awhile since I deciphered this subject, but in a nutshell...that's the photo.

Is this thread about Bria's lazy eye?

squirrelgrease said:

I thought long and hard for a joke to post in this thread, but I could never top that!

squirrelgrease said:

...don't mention her lazy chin or the Bria brigade will come after you.

Cmosfm said:

Why would you assume that?

Rorywan said:

I bet she makes a mean 'cow pie'.

iloveannie said:

...ever since i was 3yrs old..i have ALWAYS been intrigued by THE EYE...i had my favorite uncle paint an eye on my head board..because it was the EYE of God watching over me....my 1st tat is of an sunflower with the Eye of God inside..cuz no matter what i do in my L-I-F-E...GOD SEES ALL!!!!!....

..it is also wonderful..2 know that prince has an interest with EYES 2!!!..
...EYES never lie!!...
..mzsexybaby'I HEARD IT SAID I HAVE A CRAZY-RIGHT-EYE'