"I'll Close My Eyes", first published in 1945, is a song written and composed by the English songwriter and bandleader Billy Reid.
[1] The song then continues on the theme that the singer has foolishly lost his love and can now only close his eyes and imagine her in his loneliness.
[2] Soon after its release, new words were written for the Billy Reid tune by the American songwriter Buddy Kaye.
The song then continues on the theme that the singer will always be faithful, will "lock my heart to any other caress" and will close his eyes to see his love "through the years" in "those moments when we're apart".
[5] The Jazz standard "I'll Close My Eyes" (with Buddy Kaye lyrics) has been covered by 50+ recording artists, including the Dinah Washington (and Quincy Jones Orchestra) recording that is licensed for soundtrack use in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (film) and Lee Daniels’ THE BUTLER (film).