Eye

"Eye"
Single by The Smashing Pumpkins
Album Lyrics Tabs Spotify
Released	September 25, 1996
Format	Cassette
Studio sessions	Summer 1996 – Soundworks
Length	4:51
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Billy Corgan
Producer(s)	Billy Corgan
The Smashing Pumpkins singles chronology
"Thirty-Three" (1996) "Eye" (1996) "The End Is the Beginning Is the End" (1997)

"Eye" is a single by The Smashing Pumpkins released in 1997 on the soundtrack to the David Lynch film Lost Highway. Along with the song "The End Is the Beginning Is the End" from Batman & Robin and "Christmastime" from A Very Special Christmas 3, "Eye" represented a period of work on compilations done by the Pumpkins in between the release of the two albums Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and Adore. It also appeared on their greatest hits collection Rotten Apples. "Eye" was their first release after the firing of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.

Though technically it is considered to have been recorded during the tail end of the Mellon Collie era, Billy Corgan has said the spirit of "Eye" was that of the Adore era. The song is about surviving an addictive relationship, and to Corgan conveys more of a "triumph sound" than the dark, angst-driven vibes as some have described it.

“ [There's] confusion that you're in love with somebody, or think you're in love with somebody, but don't know how to get through to them, so you end up turning on yourself ” — Billy Corgan, Thirty-Three with William Patrick Corgan

Song history

In the aftermath of the quadruple-platinum Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Billy Corgan's music publisher suggested he collaborate with basketball superstar and rapper Shaquille O'Neal, who had begun work on You Can't Stop the Reign. Corgan began work on a programmed backing track loosely inspired by Dr. Dre, but the collaboration fell through. Corgan later said he voluntarily withdrew after O'Neal didn't seem particularly interested or perhaps even that familiar with Corgan's work when they spoke over the phone.

Meanwhile, film director David Lynch and Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor were assembling the soundtrack to Lynch's new film Lost Highway. Lynch, who later would call Corgan a "magical musician", rejected Corgan's submission, "Tear", which would eventually be included on Adore. Corgan quickly finished off "Eye" and Lynch loved it, using it in a nightclub scene in the film. As all other band members were on vacation at the time, Corgan recorded the track all by himself in a single day with engineer Tommy Lipnick.

"Eye" with Marilyn Manson, live at the 1997 Bridge School Benefit

An acoustic version of the song was performed in 1997 at the Bridge School Benefit concert. The performance featured Twiggy Ramirez and Marilyn Manson.

"Eye" has been performed live by the band periodically throughout the years, opting for a guitar-driven sound with live drums in lieu of a drum machine.

Equipment

"Eye" relied heavily on a Kurzweil K2500 for the 808-style beats. A Waldorf VST was used for the synth line, and a 12-string acoustic lined in direct.

Lyrics

I lie, I wait
I stop, I hesitate
I am, I breathe
I meant, I think of me

Is it any wonder I can't sleep?
All I have is all you gave to me
Is it any wonder I found peace through you?
Turn to the gates of heaven, to myself be damned
Turn away from light
It's not enough, just a touch
It's not enough

I taste, I love
I come, I bleed enough
I hate, I'm not
I was, I want too much

Is it any wonder I can't sleep?
All I have is all you gave to me
Is it any wonder I found peace through you?
Turn to the gates of heaven, to myself be damned
Turn away from light
It's not enough, just a touch

Reception

The song reached number eight on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1997. Corgan later said the surprise success of "Eye" as a single inspired the band to continue with the new electronica-tinged direction as they began work on Adore.

Promotional release

A promotional 1-track cassette containing "Eye" was released on September 25, 1996, but was later recalled. It came in a plain white sleeve with black lettering.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Eye"	4:54

Released	Label	Catalog ID	Format	Country	External sites
September 25, 1996	Virgin		Cassette	US			[1]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1997)	Peak position
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)	6
US Radio Songs (Billboard)	49
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)	8

Year-end charts

Chart (1997)	Position
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)	66

Availability

Title	Notes	Type
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness	2012 Reissue bonus CD 3: Special Tea	Studio
Lost Highway	Main release	Soundtrack
The Aeroplane Flies High	2013 Reissue bonus DVD: Live at Malsaucy Lake, Belfort, France; 4 July 1997	Compilation
Adore	2014 Reissue CD 4: Chalices, Palaces and Deep Pools	Studio
The Smashing Pumpkins 1991–1998	Promotional CD	Promotional • Compilation
Still Becoming Apart	US & Europe promo CD	Promotional • Compilation • EP
A Gothic–Industrial Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins		Tribute
Ghost Children: A Tribute To The Smashing Pumpkins		Tribute
Rotten Apples	North American version	Compilation
The Killer in You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins		Tribute
Rarities and B-Sides		Compilation
Live Smashing Pumpkins		Live
Thirty-Three (podcast)		Podcast

Tour stats

• Total plays: 287 plays (279 full, 7 tease, 1 abandoned, 8 soundcheck), 9 acoustic, 2 artists
• First performance: The Smashing Pumpkins 1996-05-15 at O2 Academy Brixton, London, UK (tease)
• First full performance: The Smashing Pumpkins 1997-06-23 at Double Door, Chicago, IL, US
• Last performance: The Smashing Pumpkins 2023-05-26 at BottleRock Napa Valley, Napa, CA, US

External links

• "Eye" at SPFC