I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise
I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah

If you think that I don't know about the little tricks you've played
And never see you when deliberately you put things in my way

Well, here's a poke at you
You're gonna choke on it too
You're gonna lose that smile
Because all the while

I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah

You took advantage of my trust in you when I was so far away
I saw you holding lots of other guys and now you've got the nerve to say

That you still want me
Well, that's as may be
But you gotta stand trial
Because all the while

I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah

I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise
I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah

The Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal are mine to see on clear days
You thought that I would need a crystal ball to see right through the haze

Well, here's a poke at you
You're gonna choke on it too
You're gonna lose that smile
Beacuse all the while

I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
and miles and miles and miles and miles

I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles


Lyrics submitted by oofus

I Can See For Miles song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

27 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +5
    General Comment

    No, I don't think that's right. In the song he's accusing his girlfriend of being decietful/cheating...that doesn't seem right that Pete would do that as a "warning" or whatever. I think it's just about a guy knowing that his significant other is cheating on him. Nothing extraordinary.

    llowellon June 29, 2004   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Another who song that seems to describe Townshend's failed issues with women. Had a relationship with a cheater, sounds like.

    The drum work is easily top 10 all time for a single. It underachieved as a single, which is too bad. The US wasn't ready for a song like this, I guess. It is timeless, sounds good decades later.

    Slash01on April 01, 2008   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    What if they had used the Metric system? Thank God they hadn't! This song proves imperial system all the way!

    Coolinbnyon April 12, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    It seems as if the woman cheated on him and resents it. but perhaps now hes giving her another chance and just watching her very closly or maybe its like OpinionHead said where its a promise that to his next lover he will be watch over her a lot because hes been cheated on before. I don't know that just what I get out of it...

    House-of-Secretson June 05, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I never understood why Pete loved this song so much until I realised it applied to someone I know. Once you start feeling that way about someone else, the song suddenly has so much more power.

    The failure of the song to sell actually prompted Townshend to focus more on albums than singles, resulting in the masterpieces Tommy, Quadrophenia and (from Lifehouse) Who's Next.

    Regos the Saneon June 16, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I believe it's ironic and is about jealousy. He has these images of what his partner might do when he's away or not looking but he also knows it's probably his own jealous mind playing tricks on him. Ironic in the way that he can't see for miles...

    BoyNamedSue74on May 21, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    don't be like I was folks ... for 40 years I just laughed without a second thought. Just give it 2 hours research ....

    "I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles ... The Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal are mine to see on clear days You thought that I would need a crystal ball to see right through the haze "

    Ignore the girlfriend / other guys - that's misdirection for the masses - no this song is quiet literal and it's a message to "them" that Pete has it worked out -- the earth id flat folks - yep laugh if you want to but not before doing the two hours research -- it will blow your mind

    neilxon August 09, 2015   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song was written by Pete Towshend for his future wife Karen. It was saying that even though he was away for long periods, he would always keep a watchful eye on her.

    topace129on April 19, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Both of your opinions make sense. Maybe it was about a woman other than Karen who cheated on Pete?

    Flinchy17on October 29, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think this song is about anybody whose been cheated on in the past and this is there promise to their next lover that he or she will watch the other an eagle eye. It seems to simple for a song meaning, but many songs have face value meanings.

    OpinionHeadon February 12, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
No Surprises
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/