Is the 80s Classic, 'Eye in the Sky', Really a Stalker Song?
The answer is no. No, it is not. Let's talk about why.
Conversations around music in our household are often fraught with tension, suspicion, and the occasional caustic cleaning product. Consequently, we attempt to avoid such discussions. Every once in awhile, though, one squeaks through and we’re forced to come to terms with the fact that I’m right and the rest of my family is not. That’s usually the way I remember it, anyway. In general though, I’ve gotten around 43% better at keeping my mouth shut, especially regarding the tidal pools of auto-tuned, over-produced, CG blips that pass for popular music today. Yeah, I know:
BREAKING: OLD GUY SAYS HE DOESN’T LIKE NEW MUSIC!
In my defense, there is a considerable number of demonstrably horrible songs out there. In case you’re dubious. Two Words. Paris Hilton. Luckily, this article isn’t about that.
In 1982, The Alan Parsons Project wrote a masterpiece in two parts: ‘Sirius/Eye in the Sky’. ‘Sirius’ is a sporting event standard that can be heard in almost any basketball arena from Chicago to Cambodia. It’s a slow building, synth-laden instrumental; perfect in it’s pacing including a short, yet driving, guitar interlude. It bleeds into the main track ‘Eye in the Sky’, creating perhaps the smoothest transition of any prog-pop track ever recorded. For its part, ‘Eye in the Sky’ is perfect pop gold. Soft, ethereal vocals belying pointed, painful and accusatory lyrics that bring a feeling of empowerment and liberation. Then there’s the outro, a perfect guitar solo that brings the entire song home, as any true solo should. One of the greatest records the 80s ever produced.
My wife calls it a ‘Stalker Song’. I just…anyway. You see what I’m dealing with here?
Take a listen:
Don't think sorry's easily said
Don't try turning tables instead
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 accusations before
And I ain't gonna take anymore, 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 anymore 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 (looking at you)
Don't leave false illusions 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
Be honest, does this man really look like a stalker to you?
Ultimately, this track is a just a break up song, like so many others…sort of. It depicts a man who has clearly had a close relationship with his significant other. His devotion to her leads him to give up his own agency and, for a time, accept her betrayal as the truth. Then something remarkable happens, considering this guy has obviously been clueless for some time. He begins to see what’s really happening.
‘The sun in your eyes, made some of your lies worth believing’. Tell me that doesn’t hit you right in the ventricles.
Eventually, he starts to see her for who she truly is and recognizes her lies for what they are. He tells her he can see through all her deceptions and reclaims his power by letting her know that he can ‘read her mind’. And even though she asks, he’s not giving her any more chances. The ‘Eye’ is not him watching her every move. It’s simply a new understanding. It’s knowing. He can finally see and read her clearly. And that ability is liberating. Who among us couldn’t have used that kind of perception in our life at one time or another?
By the way, according to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of stalking is:
to harass or persecute someone with unwanted and obsessive attention.
To my dismay, my wife’s extraordinarily loose opinion on what constitutes a ‘stalker song’ is not limited to my household. Apparently, there is some sort of mass delusion creeping about that I can’t rightly figure, or abide. In July 2024, Hub Pages posted an article titled ‘165 Songs about Stalkers and Obsession’. From its content, it appears the author has had some traumatic experience with actual stalking and now sees it just about everywhere, even where it ain’t. With respect, many of the songs on this somewhat exhaustive list are not what one would call stalker(ish) or obsessive. ‘Jessie’s Girl’ and ‘Pictures of You’ are hardly the lyrical profiles of disturbed minds. Pining over lost or unrequited love doesn’t necessarily make one a stalker. And if we called everyone who’d ever suffered a broken heart “obsessed”, then we might as well write songs about our daily trips to the shitter for as profound as those tunes would be. Regarding the article and it’s nigh endless list of briefly captioned clickbait, my wife agrees. So why does she task me on an epic like ‘Eye in the Sky’? Obviously, I haven’t sufficiently explained it to her…yet.
It’s become abundantly clear that any mention of “watching”, “seeing”, or “following” another is very quickly associated with stalking. Even if that means just observing a behavior or gathering information.
So, how do we put this issue to bed? It seems only fitting that we compare ‘Eye in the Sky’ to other songs with a similar vibe to see how it fares. Here are a few popular songs over the years, specifically from the 70s and 80s, with one common thread; surveillance.
I Can See for Miles - The Who (1967): A song about ‘seeing’ what’s going on even when his lover is not around. He sees her ‘holding lots of other guys’ while she’s telling him she still wants him. How does he know this? He claims it’s magic. My guess would be a DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise with 70km range and 2X optical zoom (fixed-wing hybrid). But then I remembered the song was written 55 years ago. The idea for the song, according to Pete Townsend, is that he was feeling both a little old-fashioned and jealous in the swinging 60s, not wanting to share his woman with other gentlemen. He imagined his girlfriend, Karen, was ‘deceiving’ him by seeing other men. A little weird, but that’s how Townsend put it in his 2012 memoir. It made for a great song. Definitely a track about a guy who is, shall we say, preoccupied by his own jealousy. But he’s not necessarily stalking her. He just thinks he ‘sees’ the truth. VERDICT: Liberation…mostly. Much like ‘Eye in the Sky’, he’s reclaiming his agency, but there sounds like a twinge of revenge there too.
If you think that I don’t know about the little tricks you’ve played
And never see you when deliberately you put things in my way
Well, here’s a poke at you
You’re gonna choke on it too
You’re gonna lose that smile
Because all the while - I can see for miles…
Every Breath You Take - The Police (1983): The quintessential ‘stalker’ song. The title says it all. Sting portrays a lover who has not only obsessed and lost, but is clearly losing control. The object of his affliction is both within and without his grasp. He’s in pain, can’t stop thinking about her, and openly states his intention. Imagine if this guy had access to text then (hope that plan’s unlimited). Aside from all that, it was one of the biggest songs of the 80s and fantastic tune in its own right. VERDICT: Stalker Hall of Fame
Since you've gone, I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night, I can only see your face
I look around, but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold, and I long for your embrace
I keep crying, baby, baby please
Obsession - Animotion (1986): The lyrics say it all; a self-proclaimed, obsessive stalker who freely admits they ‘have no control’. The making of a musical true crime documentary. When I first heard the lyrics to this song as a kid in 1986, I felt kind of dirty. Definitely PG-13. And nuts. That said, it’s still a banger. VERDICT: Stalker of the Year
My fantasy (my fantasy)
Has turned to madness (has turned to madness)
And all my goodness (and all my goodness)
Has turned to badness (has turned to badness)
My need to possess you has consumed my soul
My life is trembling, I have no control
I will have you, yes, I will have you
I will find a way and I will have you
Like a butterfly, a wild butterfly
I will collect you and capture you
Walking in the Rain - Oran ‘Juice’ Jones (1986): Classic 80s R&B. Smooth. Most of the lyrics sound like they come from a guy who’s been hurt and just doesn’t know what to do with himself. ‘I’ll never be the same’, he proclaims. But the last two minutes of the song - the rap break outro - speak to a considerably darker relationship. Though, I have to admit, some of it is comical. The lyrics imply that the singer’s motivation comes from a place of control; financial, social, and maybe sexual. Mr. ‘Juice’ Jones happily admits he’s been following her. If you watch the entire video, just know that it doesn’t age particularly well. You could say the girl he says goodbye to is probably better off. This one is a mixed package. VERDICT: A bit of stalker with a side of liberation and a heavy does of revenge.
I saw you (and him)
walking in the rain
You were holding hands
and I'll never be the same.
Tossing and turning another sleepless night
The rain crashes against my window pane
Jumped into my car didn't drive too far
That moment I knew I would never be the same.
So, I think the point has been well made. But I’ll leave the final verdict up to you. What do you think? Leave a comment about why you agree with me. Or, like my wife, leave me a comment telling me why you’re wrong. I’d love to discuss it. I’m easy. And do yourself a favor. Put ‘Sirius/Eye in the Sky’ on your playlist if you haven’t already. The rest of the album is pretty good too.
Old man photo: Image Resizer
Photo: Alan Parsons Official Website
Cover Art: Eye in the Sky
Rude.