This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Eye In the Sky (BOTB)


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

         Image result for eye in the sky song meaning

      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


Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens each month on the 15th and on some blogs there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle on the 1st of the month.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.



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?         






44 comments:

  1. Hi Lee

    I 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary B, Noa's version was very different from the original...

      First vote goes to Noa.

      Lee

      Delete
  2. I've always loved that song.

    I'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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. L.Diane, "mysticism" is an interesting way to look at the song, but I can see that...

      A vote for Parralox.

      Lee

      Delete
  3. Another song played at nearly every hockey game.
    Parralox gets my vote.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, never been to a hockey game, but I wouldn't go just to hear this song...

      Parralox.

      Lee

      Delete
  4. Hi, LEE ~
    Well, 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      A vote for Noa.

      Lee

      Delete
  5. Great song Lee, Happy September.
    I choose Parrolox.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yvonne, I'm glad you like the song because I do a lot.

      Another vote for Parralox.

      Lee

      Delete
  6. I'm not especially fond of covers; and, unfortunately, Noa's underscored my feelings.
    I choose Parralox.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Myra, there have been good covers as well as not so good. Many covers I think are far superior to the originals.

      A vote for Parralox.

      Lee

      Delete
  7. 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.

    I 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      An apolitical vote for Noa.

      Lee

      Delete
  8. Lee,

    I'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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      A vote for Parralox.

      Lee

      Delete
  9. 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 🙁

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lost, hacking can be such a hassle. No point on worrying about spying since it happens all the time from all sides.

      Lee

      Delete
  10. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CW, no go on slow Noa...

      A default vote for Parralox.

      Lee

      Delete
  11. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John, back and forth we go!

      Another vote for Noa.

      Lee

      Delete
  12. From my Cousin Tom on Facebook...

    A vote for Parralox.

    Lee

    ReplyDelete
  13. 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.

    Janet’s Smiles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janet, I've heard similar stories about Amazon/Google picking things up from conversations. Whatever goes on it sounds kind of creepy.

      A vote for Parralox.

      Lee

      Delete
  14. 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.

    Vote here for Noa.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan, Big Brother is watching!

      A vote for Noa.

      Lee

      Delete
  15. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teresa, 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.

      Lee

      Delete
  16. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie D, the slowing down does give the song a more introspective approach.

      A vote for Noa.

      Lee

      Delete
    2. Hi Lee!

      I 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!

      Delete
    3. Diedre, the thematic inference of the song lyrics somewhat reminds me of the Police hit "Every Breath You Take". Big Brother is watching!

      A vote for Noa.

      Lee

      Delete
  17. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birgit, 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.

      Another vote for Parralox.

      Lee

      Delete
  18. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roland, thanks so much for the vote!

      Parrallox

      Lee

      Delete
  19. From Doreen McGettigan in a comment on my #IWSG post, a vote for...

    Parrallox.

    Lee

    ReplyDelete
  20. 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.

    And personally, possibly 'cause I'm a chick, I like the Noa version.

    Nice battle! Being spy bait suits ya.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cherdo, I'm not sure that the spying suits me, but I just accept it with some apprehensions.

      A vote for Noa.

      Lee

      Delete
  21. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike, persistence wins again...

      A vote for Noa.

      Lee

      Delete

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee