Unbelieving Eyes by Ferdinand Rennie: When the Simplest Songs Say the Most
The beauty of certain songs is the way they approach you, some don’t knock on the door, some just barge in, and some too walk in, sit down, and look at you like they know what you up to. And this song “UNBELIEVING EYES” by Ferdinand Rennie is one of those songs. What makes this song special is how it makes you feel. Like you don’t plan to feel anything when it starts, but then as the song progresses you begin to stare at the wall, wondering why your throat feels tight. And that’s where you realize you’re experiencing something that has surprised you!
One thing I know for sure is, Ferdinand Rennie is not new to this. As someone who’s been around stages, studios, TV shows, and big fancy rooms, like talk the big tables and big shows over three amazing decades. It still surprises me with the amount of precision he delivers this song. Well he’s sung in musicals most of us only know from posters and school trips. Les Misérables. Jesus Christ Superstar. Beauty and the Beast. The kind of shows where if your voice cracks, everyone notices. So coming back on this song, you just know you’re gonna be in for a treat. Cos his background shows up here, but not in a show-off way. Like someone who knows when to be calm and when to be hard.
Let’s unfold the magic here. This song “UNBELIEVING EYES” is a ballad, but not the dramatic, overcooked type that begs for your attention and woos, but trust me, you’re gonna end up giving it flowers. The song comes in calm, very patient, like it’s got no where to go, those earthing sounds that starts the song just soothes the listener. It allows them to breathe. And sweeps them away with such an appealing vocals that just consumes you and your thoughts. And all you can hear is unbelieving eyes, ringing in your ears. The song was written especially for Ferdinand by a stacked group of writers, including Sharon Vaughn, Jeff Franzel, and Niklas Edberger, along with Alan Vukelic and Ferdinand himself. You can tell it fits him like it was tailored, not borrowed.
The kind of feel this track oozes is wholesome, it doesn’t rush, it just gives you enough space to pull you in. When Ferdinand’s voice comes in, it feels lived-in. There’s warmth there. The kind that comes from experience, not presets. He doesn’t sound like someone trying to convince you of emotion. He sounds like someone remembering something important and trusting you to listen and enjoy it with attention. I love the fact that, he doesn’t sing each line like it’s his last, he knows when to hold back and not crowd everything. It’s like someone telling you a story quietly, then suddenly saying one sentence that pierces your soul and stays with you.
And that’s how you make a ballad that’s refreshing and doesn’t try to beg for attention and be trendy, it just attaches itself to you and changes your whole atmosphere and feel. The song just lay emphasis on these life experiences where you’re like Wait! Did that just happened?? Or am I dreaming, or something’s wrong with ma eyes! Yes those moments are what the song portrays. Sometimes you get connected with someone instantly and you can’t just believe what’s even happening to you. It’s just their unbelieving eyes that has you consumed and can’t believe what you seeing and feeling.
Ferdinand’s career reads like a highlight reel. I mean the one you share on IG and tag all your friends to see, like you found a gold mine. Eurovision stages. German TV. Singing in Monte Carlo in front of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene. Casual stuff. He’s also done charity work, children’s aid projects, and Christmas tours that somehow end up everywhere at once. Yet none of that overshadows this song. If you didn’t know his history, “UNBELIEVING EYES” would still work and to me that’s a sign of a great track.
Overall I will say the song is indeed “UNBELIEVING EYES“. The sort of honesty it brings, the calmness and it’s clean production yet nothing feeling stiff, makes it an ideal ballad that will take you by surprise. It’s catchy, interesting and genuinely enjoyable. It doesn’t force you into emotions, it’s actually let you feel them, the lyrics just does it job and the vocals continues whilst the sound maintain everything together. So if you’re looking for a song that will consume your thoughts without shouting, liberate you and let you know it’s okay to feel the way you feel and leave you wanting for more, then “UNBELIEVING EYES” is for you.
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