The Meaning Behind Keith Whitley’s No. 1 Hit “Don’t Close Your Eyes”

In 1988, country artist Keith Whitley continued the streak of success sparked by his debut album L.A. to Miami, with the release of his second studio album, Don’t Close Your Eyes. Although the record’s first two singles, “Would These Arms Be in Your Way” and “Some Old Side Road,” were moderately successful, the album’s title track was the cut that became a trademark hit.

The Songwriters

Although Whitley was a gifted songwriter, “Don’t Close Your Eyes” was penned by Country Music Hall of Fame 2023 inductee Bob McDill. The now-retired 79-year-old talent has stayed out of the spotlight for most of his career, so details on the song’s specific origins are scarce.

[RELATED: 3 Songs You Didn’t Know Keith Whitley Wrote for Other Artists]

The Lyrics

McDill’s lyrics introduce listeners to a man convinced that his lover is still under the spell of a former flame. Whitley’s vocal performance relays a sense of vulnerability and pain, rather than anger that makes the song all the more heartbreaking.

Don’t close your eyes / Let it be me / Don’t pretend it’s him / In some fantasy / Darling, just once let yesterday go / And you’ll find more love / Than you’ve ever known / Just hold me tight / When you love me tonight / And don’t close your eyes

The Impact

“Don’t Close Your Eyes” became a massive hit for Whitley immediately upon its release in 1988, climbing to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. It also became the biggest country hit of the year, trailed closely by Whitley’s following single, “When You Say Nothing at All.” 

Sadly, the success of “Don’t Close Your Eyes” arrived just months before Whitley’s tragic death from alcohol intoxication. On May 9, 1989, the Kentucky native was transported from the home he shared with his wife and fellow country star Lorrie Morgan to a Nashville area hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 34.

The unexpected loss rocked the country music community and its fanbase, causing a new wave of interest in Whitley’s music. His impact and influence on the genre have lasted decades, spawning a stream of covers by other artists in the years following his death. 

Alan Jackson recorded his rendition of “Don’t Close Your Eyes” for Keith Whitley: A Tribute Album, released in 1994. The project included covers from many of the decade’s most prominent artists, including Diamond Rio, Mark Chestnutt, Tracy Lawrence, and Ricky Skaggs. The record also included Alison Krauss and Union Station’s famous version of “When You Say Nothing at All,” which went to No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 1995.

Photo Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images