Eye
"Eye" | ||||
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Promotional single by The Smashing Pumpkins | ||||
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 | ||||
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"Eye" is a promotional 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.
This is their first release after the firing of their drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.
Song history[edit | edit source]
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]
An acoustic version of the song was performed in 1997 at the Bridge School Benefit concert. The performance featured Twiggy Ramirez and Marilyn Manson.[5]
So far, "Eye" has been performed live by the band on their 1997, 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2016 tours, opting for a guitar-driven sound with live drums (by Matt Walker, Jimmy Chamberlin, and Mike Byrne, respectively) in lieu of a drum machine.[6] It has also been played in their 2018 and 2019 tour with Jimmy Chamberlin, while Corgan played it solo during the Ogilala tour.
Equipment[edit | edit source]
"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]
Lyrics[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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]
Promotional release[edit | edit source]
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]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Eye" | 4:54 |
Released | Label | Catalog ID | Format | Country | Discogs | MusicBrainz | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 25, 1996 | Virgin | Cassette | US | [1] |
Charts[edit | edit source]
Weekly charts[edit | edit source]
|
Year-end charts[edit | edit source]
|
Availability
Title | Notes | Type |
---|---|---|
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness | 2012 Reissue bonus CD 3: Special Tea | Studio |
Lost Highway | Main release | Soundtrack |
Eye | Promo | |
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 | US version | Compilation |
The Killer in You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins | Tribute | |
Rarities and B-Sides | Compilation | |
Live Smashing Pumpkins | Live |
Tour stats
- Total plays: 222 plays (214 full, 7 tease, 1 abandoned, 7 soundcheck), 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 2019-08-31 at Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA, US
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Thomas, Richard. "Signal to Noise: The Sonic Diary of the Smashing Pumpkins Archived 2011-09-29 at the w:Wayback Machine. EQ Magazine. October 2008.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Justin Coloma (director), Amy Kettenburg (producer/interviewer) (2009-11-04). DLF.TV Visits Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins (FLV). David Lynch Foundation.
- ↑ https://film.avclub.com/lost-highway-put-david-lynch-onto-america-s-car-stereos-1798262541
- ↑ Turner, Gustavo. ""Billy Corgan is a Magical Musician" Declares David Lynch Archived 2009-11-08 at the w:Wayback Machine". LA Weekly Blogs. 2009-11-04.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR81pz3TbZE
- ↑ spfc.org - Tour History - Eye.
- ↑ Richard Thomas, "Signal To Noise: The Sonic Diary Of The Smashing Pumpkins", Electronic Musician, October 1st, 2008
- ↑ Billboard Chart History - Smashing Pumpkins
- ↑ Corgan, Billy. "Coming Down the Mountain Archived 2009-10-07 at the w:Wayback Machine". The Confessions of Billy Corgan.
- ↑ http://spfreaks.com/item/eye/
- ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (17.4. '97 – 23.4. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). April 18, 1997. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
- ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
- ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
- ↑ "Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1998. p. 25. Retrieved February 16, 2020.