Eyes Without a Face (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Eyes Without a Face


Caption = "Eyes Without a Face" by Billy Idol
Artist = Billy Idol
from Album = Rebel Yell
Released = May 1984
Format = Vinyl (7" and 12")
Recorded = Studio A, Electric Lady Studios, New York
Genre = Rock, ballad, New Wave
Length = 4 m 58 s
Label = Chrysalis Records
Writer = Billy Idol, Steve Stevens
Producer = Keith Forsey
Chart position =
* #4 (US Billboard Hot 100)
* #18 (UK Singles Chart)
* #5 (US Mainstream Rock Tracks)
Reviews =
*AMG [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:au8gtq8z9uk3 link] |
Last single = "Rebel Yell" (1984)
This single = "Eyes Without a Face" (1984)
Next single = "Flesh for Fantasy" (1984)
Misc = Audiosample
Upper caption = Audio sample
Audio file = Eyes Without a Face by Billy Idol.ogg

"Eyes Without a Face" is a song by Billy Idol, co-written with guitarist Steve Stevens from Idol's 1984 album "Rebel Yell". The song is softer and more ballad-like than most of the album's other singles.

ong information

Released in May 1984, this was the second single from the "Rebel Yell" album. It was very successful and reached a high of #4 on the Billboard Charts becoming Idol's first Top 10 hit in the U.S.

In the liner notes for the Expanded Edition of "Rebel Yell", Billy Idol notes that this song was one of the first three written for the album (the other two being the title track and "(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows." The original track was recorded in Studio A at Electric Lady Studios in New York, with a Linn drum machine and the bass parts played by Steve Webster. cite web|url=http://mixonline.com/recording/interviews/audio_billy_idols_rebel/ |title=Classic Tracks: Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" |accessdate=2006-09-28 |last=Reesman |first=Bryan |date=2006-06-01 |work=Mix Magazine |publisher=Penton Media, inc ]

The song is notable for the female voice of Perri Lister that sings 'Les yeux sans visage' (French for 'eyes without a face') as a background chorus.

Music video

The video was directed by David Mallet and begins with a close-up of Idol's sneering face, interspersed with three unidentifiable ('faceless') female singers. Later during the song's bridge, the scene changes to Steve Stevens shredding on guitar and Idol in familiar punk poses while dancing in a flaming hexagon surrounded by hooded acolytes. The imagery of the video contrasts with the relative softness of the song and its lyrics of longing.

Reportedly filmed in a marathon 30-hour session, the video was released in June 1984 and subsequently nominated for MTV Video Music Awards for "Best Editing" and "Best Cinematography".

Production

"Eyes Without a Face" was written by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens and produced by Keith Forsey. Credits on the song include:
* Vocals - Billy Idol
* Guitars - Steve Stevens
* Bass - Sal Cuevas
* Drums - Thommy Price
* Keyboards - Judi Dozier
* Background vocals - Perri Lister
* Engineered by Dave Wittman

Trivia

* The song has been covered by Scooter on their 1998 album "No Time to Chill" and by Paul Anka on his 2005 album "Rock Swings". It was also covered by Tori Amos live the same year.
* There is an episode on that has the same title.
* Eyes Without a Face is featured on the TV series Nip/Tuck during a face-lift on the mother-in-law of one of the main characters.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:au8gtq8z9uk3 Song review] - All Music Guide
* [http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2821 Songfacts]
* [http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=13566 Video facts]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZhHNI7HXiE Music video] courtesy of YouTube