This pressing was limited to approximately 500,000 copies in the country, however, it was still employed in the United Kingdom and other European nations. The first pressing of Third Eye Blind in the United States featured a sepia-toned album cover with a red band logo. In order to achieve this expressive appearance, Boatwright wore bright red lipstick and dark eyeliner. Alicino commented that she was hired to 'photograph a young woman with an expressive mouth in my edgy polaroid style'. The shot features model Shandra Boatwright, eyes closed with her mouth wide open, as her and Jenkins' hands are placed on her forehead. Kate Garner was responsible for the album's photography, with the exclusion of the album cover which was shot by Christine Alicino on Decemin San Francisco, California. Alli and Ro-Starr were responsible for the album's art direction, with the latter also crafting the band's 'falling man' logo. The name 'Third Eye Blind' is meant to refer to a metaphysical third eye, however, the band also intended to satirize the concept. When developing a band name and a title for their debut record, Jenkins sought a name with 'wit and a sense of punk-rock irony'.

The song focuses on a crystal methamphetamine addiction, although Jenkins contends that it more broadly relates to changing periods in one's life. ' Semi-Charmed Life', an alternative rock song composed with a rap-influenced singing style, was one of the first songs recorded for the album. The central theme of Third Eye Blind is loss, with the album exploring subjects such as suicide, crystal methamphetamine addiction, and sexual abuse.

Third eye blind albums