"Behind These Hazel Eyes" is an uptempo song that incorporates crunchy guitars which are pulsated with driving beats and anthemic choruses; it narrates Clarkson's broken relationship with her ex-boyfriend.

It was certified platinum from Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over one million digital downloads.

The concept of the video was conceived by Clarkson and depicts her as a bride who experiences some dream-like hints that her fiancé is having an affair with a brunette ceremony attendee.

The music video premiered online at MTV and it also received heavy rotation on Total Request Live.

In 2004, Clarkson flew to Sweden to collaborate with Max Martin and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald for her album, Breakaway.

[3] In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Clarkson explains that "Behind These Hazel Eyes" is "about the dipstick who completely screwed up and now is unhappy and you're happy.

Nonetheless, Clarkson decided to tweak the song lyrics after breaking up with Hodges to express her emotional pain.

[7] She explained, "It had different lyrics in the beginning [...] I ended up calling Luke [Lukasz Gottwald], the writer, and we did a totally different song to it.

[7][8] Sheet music for the song shows common time with a moderate tempo of 90 beats per minute, in the key of A major with the vocal range spanning over two octaves from E3 to F♯5.

[10] In the first verse, the music becomes quiet to focus on Clarkson's vocal as she wails "Seems like just yesterday/You were a part of me/I used to stand so tall/I used to be so strong/Your arms around me tight/Everything it felt so right/Unbreakable like nothing could go wrong.

"[10] Gil Kaufman of MTV noticed that the song "soared on crunchy guitars, driving beats and anthemic, agitated choruses.

Clarkson regrets having allowed herself to be vulnerable to her ex-boyfriend and she is determined that despite the pain that she feels, he will not get the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

"[14] Elizabeth Scott of Sky Living wrote, "while Clarkson is doing well musically, her love life still hasn't picked up and she is heartbroken once again.

"[16] Charles Merwin of Stylus Magazine felt that the song should sell records more because "the entire musical backing drops out to let Clarkson's voice through to live or die on its own.

"[17] Pam Avoledo of Blogcritics believed that "Behind These Hazel Eyes" was superior to the writing of "Since U Been Gone", commenting that "It's punchier, well-written and gives Clarkson a chance to show off her vocal skills without the trendy haughtiness.

[22] Chris Kal of WKNS ranked "Behind These Hazel Eyes" at number four in his list of "Top 10 Summer Songs From 2005".

"[50] Clarkson also added that after the production of the music video was completed, she had bruises and a green-and-yellow splotch on her left biceps.

The bridesmaids are unable to close the windows so they run out of the room leaving Clarkson alone, who is seen dropping the bouquet of rose as well as the wedding photo from her hands onto the floor.

As the rain starts to fall, Clarkson finally collapses, kneeling on the ground while looking at and being comforted by her other self who is singing with the band.

James Dinh of MTV Newsroom listed "Behind These Hazel Eyes" as one of the music videos with "a bad case of the runaway bride syndrome," writing, "Throughout the clip, Clarkson finds herself running through a swampy mud land until she snaps out of her visions, refuses to proceed with the wedding and makes a shocking escape out of the church.

"[55] Andrea Holmes of AOL ranked "Behind These Hazel Eyes" at number five in her list of "Top Wedding Music Videos: 15 Clips for the Big 'I Do'."

She commented, "The perfect illustration of our point about wedding videos, 'Behind These Hazel Eyes' takes an atypical approach to marriage [...] Throughout the video the weather is dark and rainy, matching the story line, but when Clarkson ditches the wedding and runs out of the church, she is greeted with sunshine.

[58] In an interview with MTV, the lead vocalist of Yellowcard, Ryan Key, praised Clarkson in the music video.

While touring at Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, Clarkson sang the stripped-down version of the song, accompanied by guitars and vocal.

[63] Caryn Ganz of Rolling Stone felt that Alanis Morissette's influence was evident on the chorus of "Behind These Hazel Eyes" which was performed acoustically in the event.

[64] Clarkson explained that the arrangement was intended to maximize audience sing-along potential in which Jim Cantiello of MTV thought was effective.

[63] In December 2011, Clarkson also performed "Behind These Hazel Eyes" on Chicago Theatre as part of the Miracle on State Street benefit concert.

Bob Gendron of the Chicago Tribune reviewed Clarkson's performance, writing "the Texas native could've impressed simply by projecting her booming voice and relishing its prodigious range.