This song was written by Joel as a hypothetical message to his mother Rosalind by his father Howard (who left the family for Cuba, and eventually Vienna).
It is a very Latin-inspired song with a pan flute solo serving as a bridge between one of the hooks and the third verse. It also is driven by a...
[Verse 1]
I play nights in the Spanish part of town
I've got music in my hands
The work is hard to find, but that don't get me down
Rosalinda understands
[Hook 1]
Crazy Latin dancing solo down in Herald Square
Oh, Havana, I've been searching for you everywhere
And though I'll never be there
I know what I would see there
I can always find my Cuban skies
In Rosalinda's eyes
[Verse 2]
When she smiles she gives everything to me
And when she's all alone, she cries
I'd do anything to take away her tears
Because they're Rosalinda's eyes
[Hook 2]
Señorita don't be lonely, I will soon be there
Oh, Havana, I've been searching for you everywhere
And I've got a chance to make it
It's time for me to take it
I'll return before the fire dies
In Rosalinda's eyes
[Flute Solo]
[Verse 3]
All alone in a Puerto Rican band
Union wages, wedding clothes
Hardly anyone has seen how good I am
But Rosalinda says she knows
[Hook 1]
Crazy Latin dancing solo down in Herald Square
Oh, Havana, I've been searching for you everywhere
And though I'll never be there
I know what I would see there
I can always find my Cuban skies
In Rosalinda's eyes
[Flute Solo]
Okay
[Hook 2]
Señorita don't be lonely, I will soon be there
Oh, Havana, I've been searching for you everywhere
I've got a chance to make it
It's time for me to take it
And I'll return before the fire dies
In Rosalinda's eyes
[Outro]
Rosalinda’s Eyes was written by Billy Joel.
Rosalinda’s Eyes was produced by Phil Ramone.
Billy Joel released Rosalinda’s Eyes on Fri Oct 13 1978.