Why try to keep secrets anymore? Someone somewhere knows what you've done and where you've been no matter how much you've tried to hide. Eyes and ears are everywhere...
Eye in the Sky
I've written about this 1982 song from Alan Parsons Project a few times on this blog (like here and here for example). As I've mentioned before, this is one of my all time favorite songs of the rock era. I still remember the first time I heard it on the radio (June 1982 in the parking lot of a supermarket in Billings Montana) when it blew me away as one of those consummate pop songs that would be around for a long time. After nearly 40 years it's still a favorite song of mine.
For quite some time this song has been lingering on my potential Battle of the Bands queue and I figured it was about time that I put this Battle into play. Let's face it, "eyes" are everywhere and if someone isn't watching us then we are putting ourselves out there on social media for all the world to see.
Also, since this Battle falls on a Sunday and I often like to go for a song with some spiritual connotation or remotely possible implications, "Eye in the Sky" gives a sense of omnipotence in the lyrics. The song is not about God per se, but it makes me think. And it sets up a theme for my two September Sunday Battles...
Battle of the Bands
Parralox "Eye in the Sky" (2013)
If the Alan Parsons version doesn't ring a memory bell with you, then listen to this version by Australian synthpop group Parralox. I'm sure you'll remember the song since their version is very similar to the original. Maybe that's where you'd prefer to stay...
Noa "Eye in the Sky" (2002)
From Israel we have the singer known as Noa. She takes the slower approach in her cover. I think it's mighty pretty sounding. What do you think...
Time to Vote!
Now all eyes are on you! Which artist do you like best? Pick one and have some fun! You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.
Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
Angel's Bark
Debbie Doglady's Den
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Cherdo on the Flipside
A I Love Music
Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday September 9th
On Wednesday September 4th I'll be adding my two cents for the Insecure Writer's Support Group, but voting for this current Battle of the Bands will be open until next Sunday the 8th. Keep your eye on this blog for upcoming developments!
What aspect of the intrusive nature of modern technology creeps you out most? Who do you spy on? Are you bothered by the amount of information other people, businesses, and the government knows about you?
Hi Lee
ReplyDeleteI do remember when Eye in the Sky came out. I've always enjoyed it as well.
This battle is a bit more challenging for me. After listening to your first contender I thought for sure I was going to vote for them. Noa seemed a bit sad and melancholy to me, but as I got into her rendition, I really started to enjoy it.
Going out on a limb and casting my vote for Noa.
~Mary
Mary B, Noa's version was very different from the original...
DeleteFirst vote goes to Noa.
Lee
I've always loved that song.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, Noa ruins it for me. She makes it a generic pop song and takes all the mysticism out of the sound. I've never heard of Parralox but I like their true-to-the-original version tons better.
L.Diane, "mysticism" is an interesting way to look at the song, but I can see that...
DeleteA vote for Parralox.
Lee
Another song played at nearly every hockey game.
ReplyDeleteParralox gets my vote.
Alex, never been to a hockey game, but I wouldn't go just to hear this song...
DeleteParralox.
Lee
Hi, LEE ~
ReplyDeleteWell, you already know my feelings about Prog-Rock, and since Synth-Pop is pretty much Prog-Rock's little sister, it won't surprise you that I never cared much for this song. And, boy-oh-boy, did the radio play it to death!
That first version sounded so much like the original that I might not have even known I was hearing a cover had you not stated so.
Therefore, a vote for NOA. I felt her recording was a bit too musically sparse for my tastes, but at least it was quite different and I liked it better'n the Parralox cover, and also better'n the APP original hit.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
STMcC, I didn't expect you to like this song, but I think you've mentioned that in comments on my previous posts that mentioned this song.
DeleteA vote for Noa.
Lee
Great song Lee, Happy September.
ReplyDeleteI choose Parrolox.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, I'm glad you like the song because I do a lot.
DeleteAnother vote for Parralox.
Lee
I'm not especially fond of covers; and, unfortunately, Noa's underscored my feelings.
ReplyDeleteI choose Parralox.
Myra, there have been good covers as well as not so good. Many covers I think are far superior to the originals.
DeleteA vote for Parralox.
Lee
This was a song I liked pretty well when it came out, but very quickly tired of. At this point it isn't something I would listen to.
ReplyDeleteI found Noa's version more interesting because it is different. I read up on her and disagree with her politics... but what musician DON'T I disagree with? Maybe some members of Rush. (ha ha) Kid Rock. Ted Nugent. Anyway, I'll vote for Noa.
6-Gun, this is one of those songs that I never tire of, but I don't listen to it all the time either. It does evoke pleasant memories for me.
DeleteAn apolitical vote for Noa.
Lee
Paradox.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
RR, to the point...
DeleteA vote for Parralox.
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting this battle out but will be back mid-month. Now for my vote. I remember the British rock band Alan Parsons Project...actually my memory got a recent reminder of the 80s group and 'Eye in the Sky' naturally was one of my favorites back in the day. Between the two cover artists I preferred, band #1. They were truiest to the origina. I really wanted to like #2 since you liked her but in truth I felt her version wasn't very inspiring. Kindly give my vote to Parralox.
Regarding your questions, I do not like anyone spying on me especially the government who wishes to do me harm and companies who want to spam me to death. Who knows those data miners will find a way knowing or unknowingly a way to hurt me. Friends who stalk or spy on me well I think it's not really that but more of I want to know what's going on with Cathy...assuming anyone spies one and that's really harmless. Sometimes it's only through social media that we know what's happening wtih friends and sometimes family. The only time I snope on someone is out of concern because I haven't heard from them in long time and as I said social media is the only way to know what's going on with these people. Interesting questions to go with your Sept. 1st battle. Have a great week, my friend!
Cathy, maybe being spied on could be considered a form of flattery. If it doesn't interfere with my life or comfort I guess I don't care.
DeleteA vote for Parralox.
Lee
Not important enough to worry about being spied upon, but was hacked, such mean people to take small amounts from my children's book site 🙁
ReplyDeleteLost, hacking can be such a hassle. No point on worrying about spying since it happens all the time from all sides.
DeleteLee
Yeah, the first one was WAY too similar.... but, I caught my mind viewing pictures of me smacking Noa with a stick to get her to sing faster, so I guess similar wins the day for me.
ReplyDeleteCW, no go on slow Noa...
DeleteA default vote for Parralox.
Lee
Parralox was a little too close to the original, and was really kind of boring. Noa's was slower, yes, but a little more interesting, so I'm voting for her.
ReplyDeleteJohn, back and forth we go!
DeleteAnother vote for Noa.
Lee
From my Cousin Tom on Facebook...
ReplyDeleteA vote for Parralox.
Lee
To your question, the fact that I get an email from Amazon recommending a product that fits something I had a phone conversation with my husband about, namely shower heads. I merely was telling my husband that the shower head was loose and needed to be tightened and two minutes later I got an email about replacing shower heads. I had not done a Google search or in any way was looking online about shower heads so it must have been from that phone convo, or a completely random coincidence? A vote for Parralox for me. Noa was way too slow.
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Janet, I've heard similar stories about Amazon/Google picking things up from conversations. Whatever goes on it sounds kind of creepy.
DeleteA vote for Parralox.
Lee
Walked into Lane Bryants with my bigger daughter, just to wait for her. A few days later, I got a postcard from them. Scary, big time. And Hey Google as well. I try to make sure that it is playing music or TV is on before we discuss any $$ issues.
ReplyDeleteVote here for Noa.
Susan, Big Brother is watching!
DeleteA vote for Noa.
Lee
So true about somebody see what we do. In fact there can be few secrets these days with all the cameras and social media to make the announcements.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, the surveillance is useful when a crime needs to be solved, but it's a bit creepy in everyday application. We cannot keep secrets anymore.
DeleteLee
I do remember the original and Parralox mimics that very well. It didn't grab me as much as Noa's version, though. She gave it a melancholy quality that I liked more. Please give my vote to her.
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, the slowing down does give the song a more introspective approach.
DeleteA vote for Noa.
Lee
Hi Lee!
DeleteI liked the melody of the song when it first came out. I found the lyrics, which made me think of “Big Brother” disturbing, but not surprising since I’d already gone through the eyes-in-the-back-of-your-head, and holes-in-the-floor-of-Heaven stages. Parralox’s softer nuance seemed to expound on the latter (stage) to suggest the eye might belong to the Creator in Chief. That’s okay, too.
But I much preferred Noa’s melodically stirring rejection of that which she knows too well.
See ya Wednesday!
Diedre, the thematic inference of the song lyrics somewhat reminds me of the Police hit "Every Breath You Take". Big Brother is watching!
DeleteA vote for Noa.
Lee
I love this song and even though Noa has a beautiful voice, I am still going with Parralox because they did justice to this song by keeping it close to the original. This is apples and oranges to me as both are great. As much as I don`t like people knowing everything, we live in the day and age where this is the norm. I won`t lose sleep over it and I won`t post what I am eating, wearing or when i am going on vacation...robbers don`t need to know
ReplyDeleteBirgit, what is a body to do? I agree that I'm going to be appropriately cautious when necessary, but not lose sleep thinking about it.
DeleteAnother vote for Parralox.
Lee
So very different. Parralox was so close to the original, while Noa was gentler and easier to play in the background. But Parralox's version had more substance, so I vote for them.
ReplyDeleteRoland, thanks so much for the vote!
DeleteParrallox
Lee
From Doreen McGettigan in a comment on my #IWSG post, a vote for...
ReplyDeleteParrallox.
Lee
Hey, this is not a song that gotta lot of play in my neck of the woods but not because I didn't like it. Glad to see it raise its head here.
ReplyDeleteAnd personally, possibly 'cause I'm a chick, I like the Noa version.
Nice battle! Being spy bait suits ya.
Cherdo, I'm not sure that the spying suits me, but I just accept it with some apprehensions.
DeleteA vote for Noa.
Lee
The first one was a lot like the original. They had my vote at the start of Noa's version. However by the end she had won me over and I really enjoyed her version.
ReplyDeleteMike, persistence wins again...
DeleteA vote for Noa.
Lee