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.[1][2] Corgan began work on a programmed backing track loosely inspired by Dr. Dre, but the collaboration fell through.[2][3] 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",[4] rejected Corgan's submission, "Tear", which would eventually be included on Adore.[2] Corgan quickly finished off "Eye" and Lynch loved it, using it in a nightclub scene in the film.[2]
"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.[6]
"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.[7]
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
The song reached number eight on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1997.[8] 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.[9]
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.[10]
