Eye

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"Eye"
Eye promo cassette.jpg
Promotional single by The Smashing Pumpkins
Smashing Pumpkins Greatest Hits album cover.jpg
Album
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Lyrics
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Tabs
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Spotify
ReleasedSeptember 25, 1996
FormatCassette
Studio sessionsSummer 1996 – Soundworks
Length4:51
LabelVirgin
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 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]

"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.[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.TitleLength
1."Eye"4:54
Released Label Catalog ID Format Country External sites
September 25, 1996 Virgin Cassette US [1]

Charts[edit | edit source]

Availability

TitleNotesType
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness2012 Reissue bonus CD 3: Special TeaStudio
Lost HighwayMain releaseSoundtrack
EyePromo
The Aeroplane Flies High2013 Reissue bonus DVD: Live at Malsaucy Lake, Belfort, France; 4 July 1997Compilation
Adore2014 Reissue CD 4: Chalices, Palaces and Deep PoolsStudio
The Smashing Pumpkins 1991–1998Promotional CDPromotional • Compilation
1991-1998Promotional • Compilation
Still Becoming ApartUS & Europe promo CDPromotional • Compilation • EP
A Gothic–Industrial Tribute to Smashing PumpkinsTribute
Ghost Children: A Tribute To The Smashing PumpkinsTribute
Rotten ApplesUS versionCompilation
The Killer in You: A Tribute to Smashing PumpkinsTribute
Rarities and B-SidesCompilation
Live Smashing PumpkinsLive

Tour stats

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 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. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ https://film.avclub.com/lost-highway-put-david-lynch-onto-america-s-car-stereos-1798262541
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR81pz3TbZE
  6. ↑ spfc.org - Tour History - Eye.
  7. ↑ Richard Thomas, "Signal To Noise: The Sonic Diary Of The Smashing Pumpkins", Electronic Musician, October 1st, 2008
  8. ↑ Billboard Chart History - Smashing Pumpkins
  9. ↑ Corgan, Billy. "Coming Down the Mountain Archived 2009-10-07 at the w:Wayback Machine". The Confessions of Billy Corgan.
  10. ↑ http://spfreaks.com/item/eye/
  11. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (17.4. '97 – 23.4. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). April 18, 1997. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  12. ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  13. ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1998. p. 25. Retrieved February 16, 2020.

External links[edit | edit source]

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