♫ Eye In The Sky ♫ (Redux)

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, History, music

For no known reason, I have this song in my head and it is … digging into my heart, bringing tears.  Perhaps it’s the lateness of the hour combined with stress, depression, and lack of sleep, but this song popped in uninvited and isn’t leaving until I share it!

Oddly, despite the fact that The Alan Parsons Project was an English rock band, this song did not chart in the UK.  Released in 1982, the song hit the #3 position in the U.S., #1 in both Canada and Spain, and #6 in New Zealand, but did not fare so well in the band’s own country.  Alan Parsons didn’t think much of the song and had to be talked into including it on their upcoming album. He reportedly also made a bet with his guitarist that Eye in the Sky would never be a hit.

In one interview, Parsons said the song’s title came from its vocalist and co-writer Eric Woolfson, who spent a lot of time in Las Vegas about that time.

“He had a certain fascination with the hidden cameras that were there watching the tables, taping the games and what have you. It was more than just the hidden cameras. It was also kind of 1984 syndrome. It covers the fact we can never be left to our own devices; we will always be watched.”

Eye in the Sky
The Alan Parsons Project

Don’t think sorry’s easily said
Don’t let fire rush to your head
You’ve taken lots of chances before
But I ain’t gonna give anymore

Don’t ask me
That’s how it goes
‘Cause part of me knows what you’re thinkin’

Don’t say words you’re gonna regret
Don’t let the fire rush to your head
I’ve heard the accusation before
And I ain’t gonna take any more

Believe me
The sun in your eyes
Made some of the lies worth believing

I am the eye in the sky, looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules, dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind

And I don’t need to see any more
To know that

I can read your mind
(Looking at you)
I can read your mind
(Looking at you)

I can read your mind
(Looking at you)
I can read your mind

Don’t leave false illusion behind
Don’t cry, I ain’t changing my mind
So find another fool like before
‘Cause I ain’t gonna live anymore

Believing
Some of the lies
While all of the signs are deceiving

I am the eye in the sky, looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules, dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind

And I don’t need to see any more
To know that

I can read your mind
(Looking at you)
I can read your mind
(Looking at you)

I can read your mind
(Looking at you)
I can read your mind

I am the eye in the sky, looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules, dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind

And I don’t need to see any more
To know that

I can read your mind
(Looking at you)
I can read your mind
(Looking at you)

I can read your mind
(Looking at you)
I can read your mind

Songwriters: Eric Woolfson / Alan Parsons

25 thoughts on “♫ Eye In The Sky ♫ (Redux)”

  1. Hello Jill. I hope you will bear with me for a video game reference. When I was listening to the song and reading the lyrics, I was immediately reminded of two of my favorite video games called Portal and Portal 2. The games require you to solve puzzles to please and then defeat a computer “eye in the sky”. Listening to the lyrics was like listening to the video game computer you are up against. Fantastic and a fun memory journey. If people would like a great video puzzle solving game with little to no real violence and totally safe for kids, look them up. Every few years I go back and replay them. Thanks again. Hugs

    Liked by 1 person

    • My video game experience is limited to mostly Sonic, Mario, and Animal Crossing, so I’ve never played Portal before. But … I am happy to know that the song brought back fun memories for you!!! That’s the thing about music … it’s personal to each of us in its own way. Hugs

      Liked by 1 person

  8. OK choice from a literally professional outfit.
    The album Ammonia Avenue and ‘Don’t Answer Me’ were the ones which figured most in their home nation.
    I’m not too sure why they didn’t click in the UK they certainly matched up to a lot of the stuff that was charting here. (It was an era when a few bands stood out so well because most of the stuff was bland or pointless).
    Our family loved ‘Don’t Answer Me’ and the accompanying 1950s style comic book video.
    Take care Jill. 🌸💮🌺🌻🌼

    Liked by 2 people

    • If asked, I don’t think I could name another song they did, but I always liked this one. No accounting for tastes, I guess 😉 Clive says it did better in the U.S. than the UK because you guys are more discriminating about what he calls “pretentious crap”. Ah well … you win some, lose some. Thanks Sir Roger … you know the flowers brought a big 😊 to my face!

      Liked by 2 people

  9. I think there was a reason they didn’t do anything like as well here as they did over there, not just with this but with all of their records: they had a reputation here for giving us over-produced, pretentious crap. I’m guessing your market was more favourably inclined towards them 🤣

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ha ha … probably so, my friend! Still, I just love the tune to this one … I never stopped to think or care what it was about (you have to remember that being near-deaf all my life, I rarely understand lyrics unless I look them up).

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Starting with Sirius, the Eye in the Sky (8 track?) was a favorite of mine for a road trip. Out on the long-straight highways of ‘the Flatlands’ (Mississippi River delta) – oh it was a joy to head to my destination. Reading your post just now, I was totally captured and had no idea what this song was about…. of course, it now makes such sense.

    You are wise to be honest about what you’re feeling, processing – and even that this song is stuck on repeat in your psyche. Keep kicking, ‘sistuh,’ and we’ll eventually get out of these turbulent and oh-so-muddy waters.

    Here’s an oldie from Muddy Waters… picture yourself on a porch in the country, shelling ‘butter beans’ and merging with the rhythms of yesteryear… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWo_j2_y9x0
    I grew up near Greenville, MS, so here’s another song to transplant you to another place – oh no, surely not – anywhere except Mississippi!!! Unfortunately my home state gets a lot of bad PR – much of it deserved, but there’s a lot of good there too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQdd5RqODJY

    Azar’s ‘Damn the Money’ and “I Don’t have to be Me” are my favorites…
    It would be interesting to see what songs your readers might know of that are not top-hit wonders but are special….

    Liked by 1 person

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