Billy Idol – Eyes Without A Face (Album Mix)
This has always been my favorite cut by Billy Idol. While it’s obviously very different than most of his other stuff, it should not be regarded as a ballad by any stretch of the imagination. While the wonderfully melodic synths are what makes the song most captivating for me, the lyrics are pretty dark and disturbing.
Surprisingly this was actually Billy’s first Top 10 hit. It broke a barrier for him on mainstream radio for the fact that it incorporated a pop element of appeal that was made for the masses. A lot of people don’t realize this and it took me years before even I did, but the female voice in there is speaking the french words “Les yeux sans visage” which, you are not going to believe this, it means ‘eyes without a face’ :)
This is the album mix that’s just a little bit longer in instrumentation on the intro, and features some additional lyrics. Otherwise it’s the classic track that was riding the charts back in ’84.
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The dreamy synths and female backgrounds…and *crooning* Billy Idol. The song really creates the feeling of distance…between Billy and the music and the background singers…taken together it so perfectly captures in sound what the words say in the lyrics.
Also love how it kicks into a 80s rock track somewhere in the middle!
80s music was so creative, and interesting…the kids now have no idea. None.
We were getting a couple tracks a week like this back then.
@ Brian – Amazingly awesome comment Brian. Love the detail that you’ve added to this. One other thing I like is how the synths have those droning moments like that “running out of battery” sound, cool stuff. Oh and I TOTALLY agree with you about the kids of today, though you said it much more polite than I would :) It is just so phenomenal that back then it was non-stop hit after hit of quality from all artists, in not just the Top 40 but the entire Hot 100. TODAY? It’s beyond sad.
“running out of battery” synths. :)
Yes! So much thought was put into how things sounded on 80s tracks. Every part sounded interesting in it’s own little way. A lot of effort was put in. I used to put the headphones on and listen to songs and there really was a whole world in there to explore…a world of *pure sound* above and beyond the songwriting and performance.
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