It was 2014. The Smallbone brothers, Joel and Luke, were riding the massive wave of their debut success, but they were also staring down the "sophomore slump" monster. Then came Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong. At the heart of that record sat a track that basically redefined what CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) could sound like on Top 40 radio. Fix My Eyes wasn't just another worship song; it was a percussive, cinematic anthem that felt more like an Olympic opening ceremony than a Sunday morning service.
Honestly, if you turn on Christian radio today, you’ll still hear it. Why? Because it’s catchy? Sure. But it’s mostly because the song taps into a very specific kind of human desperation. We are all distracted. We are all looking at the wrong things. When for KING & COUNTRY dropped this, they weren't just singing to a congregation; they were shouting a manifesto to themselves.
The Story Behind the Stomp and Holler
You've probably noticed that for KING & COUNTRY loves drums. Like, really loves drums. For Fix My Eyes, that rhythmic drive was intentional. They wanted something that felt like a heartbeat. The song was born out of a period of reflection for the brothers. Joel has mentioned in various interviews over the years—including conversations with Billboard and The Christian Post—that the lyrics were a sort of "letter to their future selves."
Think about the opening lines. They talk about flying a jet plane, being a billionaire, and the vanity of "fame and fortune." It’s a bit cliché on paper, right? But the delivery makes it feel like a confession. At the time, they were becoming the biggest thing in their genre. They were winning Grammys. The temptation to "fix your eyes" on the charts instead of the mission was real.
Luke Smallbone’s health also played a massive role in the weight of this era. He had been battling ulcerative colitis, a season of his life that nearly took him out of the game entirely. When you’ve been that close to the edge, a song about keeping your vision straight isn't just art. It's survival.
Breaking Down the Lyrics: More Than Just a Hook
The chorus is the part everyone screams in their car. “Love like I'm not scared / Give when it's not fair.” It’s easy to sing, but it’s actually kind of a brutal standard to live by.
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"Love like I'm not scared" – Most of us love with a safety net. We love people as long as they don't hurt us or as long as it's convenient. The song argues for a reckless kind of affection that doesn't check the bank account or the emotional risk assessment first.
"Give when it's not fair" – This is the antithesis of modern culture. We want equity. We want things to be even. The Smallbones are pushing for a lifestyle of "grace-based" giving, which, by definition, is never fair.
"Fix my eyes on You" – In the context of the band’s faith, the "You" is Jesus. But even from a secular songwriting perspective, it’s about a North Star. It’s about having a singular focus that prevents you from drifting into the chaos of the "jet planes and billionaires" mentioned in the verses.
The Production: Why It Actually Works
Seth Mosley and Tedd T. were the production wizards behind this track. They managed to blend the folk-pop energy of bands like Imagine Dragons or The Lumineers with a high-gloss pop sheen.
The "whoa-oh" chants? Classic mid-2010s. The massive, marching-band-style snares? That’s the for KING & COUNTRY signature. It’s a wall of sound. If you listen with good headphones, you’ll hear layers of dulcimers, synthesizers, and probably a kitchen sink or two. It’s dense. It’s loud. It’s designed to make you feel like you’re part of a movement.
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Interestingly, the song didn't just stay in the "Christian bubble." It crossed over. It was used in promos for television shows and sports segments. It has that "pump up" quality that transcends the specific religious message, which is a testament to the songwriting craft.
The Performance Factor
If you haven't seen them do Fix My Eyes live, you're missing half the story. Their live show is famously chaotic in the best way. Joel and Luke are constantly sprinting across the stage, jumping off platforms, and beating the life out of various percussion instruments.
During the Fix My Eyes era, they would often have five or six people on stage all playing drums at the same time. It’s theatrical. It’s Australian-bred energy. It turns the song from a three-minute radio hit into a visceral experience. They don't just play the song; they perform it with a sense of urgency that makes you believe they still mean every word, even after singing it for the ten-thousandth time.
Why We Are Still Talking About It
Let’s be real. Most pop songs have the shelf life of a carton of milk. They’re great for a summer, then they disappear into the "Throwback Thursday" playlists. Fix My Eyes has stuck around because the problem it addresses has only gotten worse.
In 2014, we were distracted. In 2026, we are digitally lobotomized. The "eyes" the song talks about are now glued to six-inch screens for eight hours a day. The message of looking up and out—rather than down and in—feels more counter-cultural now than it did a decade ago. It’s a song about intentionality in an age of mindless scrolling.
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Common Misconceptions
Some people think the song is purely about success. They hear the "billionaire" line and think it’s a prosperity gospel anthem. It’s actually the opposite. It’s a warning against those things. It’s saying, "Even if I had all that, it wouldn't be enough."
Others think the band is just "Imagine Dragons-lite." While the sonic similarities are there, the lyrical depth and the specific theological framework for KING & COUNTRY works within gives it a different soul. They aren't just making "stadium rock"; they are trying to facilitate a specific spiritual response.
How to Actually "Fix Your Eyes" (The Practical Stuff)
If you're vibing with the song and want to actually apply that "Fix My Eyes" philosophy to your life, it takes more than just hitting repeat on Spotify.
- Audit your inputs. What are you looking at first thing in the morning? If it’s the news or your ex’s Instagram, your eyes aren't "fixed"; they’re wandering. Try five minutes of silence or reading something substantive before touching your phone.
- Practice "Unfair" Giving. The song mentions giving when it's not fair. Find a way to help someone who can do absolutely nothing for you in return. No tax write-off, no social media shout-out. Just a quiet, "unfair" act of kindness.
- Identify your North Star. You can’t fix your eyes on something if you haven't decided what that something is. For the Smallbones, it’s their faith. For you, it might be your family, a core value, or a long-term vision for your community. Define it. Write it down.
- Embrace the "Stomp." The song is aggressive for a reason. Changing your focus requires force. It’s a daily, sometimes hourly, decision to pull your attention away from the "jet planes" and back to what matters.
This track remains a cornerstone of the for KING & COUNTRY catalog because it’s a rare blend of high-level pop production and genuine, raw conviction. It’s a reminder that where we look determines where we go. If you’re feeling a bit lost in the noise of 2026, go back and give it a loud, focused listen. It might just help you recalibrate.
To truly dig into the message, try a "digital fast" for 24 hours while keeping the themes of the song in mind—observe how much harder it is to keep your focus when the constant pings of modern life are stripped away. From there, pick one person in your life to "love like you're not scared" by having a difficult, honest, and supportive conversation you've been avoiding.