Eye in the Sky

MEMORIES

Eric recalls hearing the ‘Eye in the Sky’ expression used 3 times in one day in different contexts which inspired the title. Firstly, he was in Las Vegas and a friend who was marketing manager of the Tropicana Hotel & Casino and took him to see their surveillance system, a small picture of which is on the inside album cover. This surveillance system was known as the eye in the sky, although these days they are apparently much larger installations. In Eric’s room in the hotel, listening to the news, there was a reference to an ‘Eye in the Sky’ spy satellite which had picked up some military installation and at the end of the same bulletin, the programme went over to the ‘Eye in the Sky’ weather helicopter. So the phrase really stuck! Somebody also pointed out that on the back of a dollar bill, there is an eye in the sky on top of a Pyramid which made an obvious link.

In more general terms, the album is really about belief systems, either political or religious without being in any way judgmental or preaching as Eric is a confirmed, but respectful atheist. There’s also an obvious connection to the gambling theme of the earlier Turn of a Friendly Card album.

The lyric of Old and Wise was particularly inspired by the wife of one of the record company executives who was also a personal friend, who passed away at a tragically early age.

LYRICS

All lyrics by Eric Woolfson & Alan Parsons © Woolfsongs Ltd / Careers Music, Inc.

SIRIUS

(Instrumental)

EYE IN THE SKY

Don’t think sorry’s easily said
Don’t try turning tables instead
You’ve taken lots of chances before
But I ain’t gonna give anymore
Don’t ask me
That’s how it goes
Cause part of me knows what you’re thinking

Don’t say words you’re gonna regret
Don’t let the fire rush to your head
I’ve heard the accusation before
And I ain’t gonna take any more
Believe me
The sun in your Eyes
Made some of the lies worth believing

I am the eye in the sky
Looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules
Dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind
And I don’t need to see any more
To know that
I can read your mind (looking at you)
I can read your mind (looking at you)
I can read your mind (looking at you)
I can read your mind

Don’t leave false illusions behind
Don’t cry I ain’t changing my mind
So find another fool like before
Cause I ain’t gonna live anymore believing
Some of the lies while all of the Signs are deceiving

I am the eye in the sky
Looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules
Dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind
And I don’t need to see any more
To know that
I can read your mind (looking at you)
I can read your mind (looking at you)
I can read your mind (looking at you)
I can read your mind

I am the eye in the sky
Looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules
Dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind
And I don’t need to see any more
To know that
I can read your mind (looking at you)
I can read your mind (looking at you)
I can read your mind (looking at you)
I can read your mind

CHILDREN OF THE MOON

Pay no attention to the writing on the wall
The words seem Empty cause there’s nothing there at all
We let the wise men beat the Drums too soon
We were just children of the moon
No one to turn to
Nowhere to Run to even if we could

Too late to save us but try to understand
The seas were empty there was hunger in the land
We let the blind man lead the Way too long
Easy to see where we went wrong
Nothing to live for
Nothing to die for

We’re Lost in the middle of a hopeless world
Lost in the Middle of a hopeless world

Children children of the moon watch the world go by
Children children of the moon are hiding from the sun and the sky
Children Children of the moon watch it all go by
Children children of the moon are Blinded by the light in their eyes
No one to turn to
Nowhere to run to even if we could

Follow the pilgrim to the Temple of the dawn
The altar’s empty and the sacrifice is gone
We let the Madmen write the golden rules
We were no more than mortal fools
Nothing to live for
Nothing to die for

We’re lost in the middle of a hopeless world
Lost in the Middle of a hopeless world
Children children of the moon watch the world go by
Children children of the Moon hiding from the sky

GEMINI

Watching waiting rising falling
Listening calling drifting

Touching feeling seeing believing (I see your shadow coming)
Hoping sending leaving (closer everyday)

I couldn’t say why you and I are Gemini
If I try to write a million words a day

I see your shadow coming closer (I couldn’t say why you and I)
Then watch you drifting away (are Gemini)

Watching waiting rising falling (watching waiting rising falling)
Listening calling Drifting (listening calling drifting)

Touching feeling seeing believing (I see your shadow coming)
Hoping Sending leaving (closer everyday)

I couldn’t say why you and I are Gemini
We are travelling a million worlds away

I see your Shadow coming closer (I couldn’t say why you and I)
Then watch you drifting away (are Gemini, calling, calling, calling)

Watch you, drifting away (I cannot not say why you and I are Gemini)
(Calling, calling …)

SILENCE AND I

If I cried out loud
Over sorrows I’ve Known
And the secrets I’ve heard
It would ease my mind
Someone sharing the load
But I won’t breathe a word

We’re two of a kind
Silence and I
We need a chance to talk things over
Two of a kind
Silence and I
We’ll find a way to work it out

While the children laughed
I was always afraid
Of the Smile of the clown
So I close my eyes
Till I can’t see the light
And I hide from the sound

We’re two of a kind
Silence and I
We need a chance to talk things over
Two of a kind
Silence and I
We’ll find a way to work it out

I can hear the cry
Of the leaf on a tree
As it Falls to the ground
I can hear the call
of an Echoing voice
And there’s no one around

We’re two of a kind
Silence and I
We need a chance to talk things over
Two of a kind
Silence and I
We’ll find a way to work it out

YOU’RE GONNA GET YOUR FINGERS BURNED

Watch me closely catch my eye
If you do I beg you to remind me
Who is stronger who is weak of those who seek
And don’t know where to find me

Ask me why, I don’t know
You ask me why and I say
Now you see me now you don’t
I thought by now you’d learned
You’re gonna get your Fingers burned
You’re gonna get your fingers burned

Watch me closely understand
That what you see is only an illusion
If I’m wrong and you are right
Then I will Light your darkness with confusion

Ask me why I don’t know
You Ask me why and I say
Chances are you’re playing with fire
I thought by now you’d learned
You’re gonna get your fingers burned
You’re gonna get your fingers burned

Watch me closely be aware
That all I do is only to surprise you
Every move is sleight of hand
And every word is planned to mystify you

You ask me why I don’t know
You ask me why and I say
Don’t get fooled a second time
I thought by now you’d learned
You’re gonna get your fingers burned
You’re gonna get your fingers burned

PSYCHOBABBLE

Tell you ’bout a dream that I have every night

Tell you ’bout a Dream that I have every night
It ain’t kodachrome and it isn’t black and white
Take me for a fool if you feel that’s right
Well I’m Never on my own but there’s nobody in sight

I don’t know why if I’m scared of the Lightning
Trying to reach me
I can’t turn to the left or the right
I’m too scared to run and I’m too weak to fight
But I don’t Care it’s all psychobabble rap to me
(Psychobabble)

Tell you ’bout a dream that I have every night
It’s in dolby stereo but I never hear it right
Take me for a fool well that’s alright
Well I see the way to go But there isn’t any light

I don’t know why I’m scared of the lightning
Trying to reach me
Help me to find what I don’t wanna know
You’re taking me There but I don’t wanna go
I don’t care it’s all Psychobabble rap to me
Psychobabble all psychobabble
Psychobabble all psychobabble
I don’t care it’s all psychobabble rap to me

You’re readin’ my mind you won’t look in my eyes
You say I do things that I don’t Realise
But I don’t care it’s all psychobabble rap to me
Psychobabble all psychobabble
Psychobabble all psychobabble

You’re lighting a scene that’s faded to black
I threw it away cause I don’t want it back
But I don’t care it’s all psychbabble rap

MAMMAGAMMA

(Instrumental)

STEP BY STEP

I was just a joker in a serious game
I Didn’t have the Heart to play
But sooner or later
I’ll find a reason to throw it away

Risin’ on the crest of a natural wave
That Never seems to break my way
I’m livin’ without it
But I got to do something about it

Step by step little by little (move a little closer to me)
Step by step take it line by line (one day at a time)
Move move move, move a little closer (move a little closer to me)
Step by step the deal is mine

I was just a runner in a one horse race
Livin’ on the don’t pass line
Sooner or later
I got to lose cause I’m wasting my time

Lady luck must have been a wonderful girl
She’s never been a Friend of mine
I’m living without her
But I still got that mountain to climb

Step by step little by little (move a little closer to me)
Step by step take it line by line (one day at a time)
Move move move, move a little closer (move a little closer to me)
Step by step the deal is mine

Step by step little by little (move a little closer to me)
Step by step take it line by line (one day at a time)
Move move move, move a little closer (move a little closer to me)
Step by step the deal is mine

OLD AND WISE

As far as my eyes can see
There are shadows approaching me

And to those I left behind
I wanted you to know
You’ve always shared my deepest thoughts
You follow where I go

And oh
When I’m old and wise
Bitter words mean little to me
Autumn winds will blow right through me
And someday
In the mist of time
When they asked me if I knew you
I’d smile and say you were a friend of mine

And the sadness would be lifted from my eyes
Oh when I’m old and wise

As far as my eyes can see
There are shadows surrounding me

And to those I leave behind
I want you all to know
You’ve always shared my darkest hours
I’ll miss you when I go

And oh
When I’m old and wise
Heavy words that tossed and blew me
Like autumn winds will blow right through me
And someday
In the mist of time
When they ask you if you knew me
Remember that you were a friend of mine

As the final curtain falls before my eyes
Oh when I’m old and wise

As far as my eyes can see

CREDITS

1. SIRIUS (Instrumental) 1:55

Fairlight – Alan Parsons
Additional Keyboards – Eric Woolfson, Haydn Bendall
Guitars – Ian Bairnson
Drums – Stuart Elliott
Bass – David Paton
Orchestra Arranged and Conducted by Andrew Powell

2. EYE IN THE SKY 4:36

Vocals – Eric Woolfson
Backing Vocals – Chris Rainbow
Wurlitzer – Eric Woolfson
Electric and Acoustic Guitars – Ian Bairnson
Fairlight – Alan Parsons
Drums – Stuart Elliott
Bass – David Paton

3. CHILDREN OF THE MOON 4:51

Vocals – David Paton
Keyboards – Eric Woolfson
Electric and Acoustic Guitars – Ian Bairnson
Drums and Percussion – Stuart Elliott
Piccolo Trumpet – John Wallace
Bass – David Paton
The English Chorale, Choirmaster – Bob Howes
Orchestra and Choir Arranged and Conducted by
Andrew Powell

4. GEMINI 2:10

Vocals – Chris Rainbow
Keyboards – Eric Woolfson
Pedal Steel Guitar – Ian Bairnson
Bass – David Paton
Drums – Stuart Elliott

5. SILENCE AND I 7:20

Vocal – Eric Woolfson
Keyboards – Eric Woolfson
Guitars – Ian Bairnson
Drums and Percussion – Stuart Elliott
Bass – David Paton
Additional Piano – Andrew Powell
Orchestra Arranged and Conducted by Andrew Powell

6. YOU’RE GONNA GET YOUR FINGERS BURNED 4:22

Vocal – Lenny Zakatek
Backing Vocals – Lenny Zakatek, Eric Woolfson, Alan Parsons
Keyboards – Alan Parsons
Guitars – Ian Bairnson
Drums and Percussion – Stuart Elliott
Bass – David Paton

7. PSYCHOBABBLE 4:52

Vocals – Elmer Gantry
Backing Vocals – Ian Bairnson, Jack Harris
Keyboards – Eric Woolfson
Guitars – Ian Bairnson
Drums – Stuart Elliott
Bass – David Paton
The English Chorale – Choirmaster, Bob Howes
Orchestra and Choir Arranged and Conducted by Andrew Powell

8. MAMMAGAMMA (Instrumental) 3:34

Fairlight Keyboards and Linn Drum Machine – Alan Parsons
Guitars – Ian Bairnson
Additional Drums – Stuart Elliott
Bass – David Paton
Orchestra Arranged and Conducted by Andrew Powell

9. STEP BY STEP 3:54

Vocal and Vocal FX – Lenny Zakatek
Backing Vocals – Chris Rainbow
Keyboards – Eric Woolfson
Guitars – Ian Bairnson
Drums and Percussion – Stuart Elliott
Bass – David Paton

10. OLD AND WISE 4:55

Vocal – Colin Blunstone
Piano and Organ – Eric Woolfson
Sax Solo – Mel Collins
Guitars – Ian Bairnson
Drums – Stuart Elliott
Bass – David Paton
Brass Band and Orchestra Arranged and Conducted by Andrew Powell

Produced by Alan Parsons
Executive Producer – Eric Woolfson
Engineered by Alan Parsons
Assistant Engineer –Tony Richards
Recorded and mixed at Abbey Road Studios, London
An Analog multitrack recording mixed to Sony 1610 digital format

Thanks to David Rockberger, Don Cohn, Lee Blackman, Jack Quinn,
Leonard Green, George Bozier, Jack Galloway, Mike Howard, Aron Misan,
George Hamer, Chris Blair, Ken Townsend and the
Abbey Road brigade and especially to Smokey, Hazel and Bob Buziak
for their patience and understanding.

Original album sleeve design – Hipgnosis/ APB/ Colin Chambers
Photo of Surveillance Eye In The Sky courtesy of
Tropicana Hotel Las Vegas, a Ramada Resort and Casino.
Photographer Keith W. Lehman

All tracks written by Eric Woolfson & Alan Parsons.
Published by Woolfsongs Ltd/Careers Music Inc, (BMI)
Administered by Universal Music
(p) 1982 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

THE BOX SET INCLUDES:

Released 1st December 2017, this stunning 35th anniversary box set includes:

• 3 CDs (the original album plus expanded bonus tracks, a whole disc of Eric’s never before released songwriting diaries, plus a bonus disc of previously unreleased material from the recording sessions)
• 2-LP set, half speed mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road
• 5.1 surround Bluray and HD version of the album, mastered by Alan Parsons
• Stunning 60 page book on the making of the album (including previously unreleased material and interviews with many of the musicians)
• Poster, postcard and promo Flexidisc recreated from original items used to promote the album on its release in 1982

CDs

CD1 – ORIGINAL ALBUM & EXPANDED BONUS TRACKS

1. irius
2. Eye in the Sky
3. Children of the Moon
4. Gemini
5. Silence And I
6. You’re Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned
7. Psychobabble
8. Mammagamma
9. Step By Step
10. Old And Wise
    

BONUS TRACKS

1. Sirius (Demo)
2. Old and Wise (Eric Woolfson Vocal)
3. Any Other Day (Studio Demo)
4. Silence and I (Eric Woolfson Vocal)
5. The Naked Eye
6. Eye Pieces (Classical Naked Eye)
   

CD2 – ERIC WOOLFSON’S SONGWRITING DIARIES

1. Eye in the Sky (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 1)
2. Eye in the Sky (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 2)
3. Eye in the Sky (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 3)
4. Eye in the Sky (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 4)
5. Children of the Moon (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 1)
6. Children of the Moon (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 2)
7. Gemini (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 1)
8. Gemini (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 2)
9. Gemini (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 3)
10. Gemini & Silence and I (Eric’s Songwriting Diary)
11. Silence and I (Eric’s Songwriting Diary)
12. Cooper’s Theme/ Silence and I chord beginnings (Eric’s Songwriting Diary)
13. Cooper’s Theme/ Silence and I beginnings (Eric’s Songwriting Diary)
14. Silence and I/ Fly Away (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 1)
15. Silence and I/ Fly Away (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 2)
16. Old and Wise (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 1)
17. Old and Wise (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 2)
18. Old and Wise (Eric’s Songwriting Diary 3)
    

CD3 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED BONUS MATERIAL

1. Eye in the Sky (Ian 12-string Acoustic Guitar Out Take)
2. Sirius & Eye in the Sky (Early Rough Mix)
3. Eye in the Sky (Eric Demo Verses – No lyrics)
4. Children of the Moon (12 string Acoustic Guitar & Marching Band Snare Drum)
5. Children of the Moon (Early Rough Mix With Eric Demo Vocal)
6. Gemini (Chris Rainbow Vocal Harmonies)
7. Silence and I (Orchestral take with Eric’s demo vocal)
8. You’re Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned (Rough Mix Section -Different Guitar Solo)
9. You’re Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned (Rough Mix with Alan Demo Vocal – Few Lyrics)
10. Psychobabble (Orchestral Take)
11. Psychobabble (Rough Mix With Eric Demo Vocal)
12. Step By Step (12-string Acoustic Guitars)
13. Step By Step (Rough Mix Backing Track – Extended Intro)
14. Old and Wise (Chris Rainbow Beach Boys Experiment)
15. Old and Wise (Eric Piano Track)
16. Eye in the Sky (Single Edit)
17. Old and Wise (Single Edit)
18. Psychobabble (Single Edit)
    

CD4 – BLU-RAY 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX (2017) & STEREO HD VERSION (1982)

1. Sirius
2. Eye in the Sky
3. Children of the Moon
4. Gemini
5. Silence And I
6. You’re Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned
7. Psychobabble
8. Mammagamma
9. Step By Step
10. Old And Wise
    

VINYL

VINYL 1 SIDE 1

1. Sirius
2. Eye in the Sky
3. Children of the Moon
   

VINYL 1 SIDE 2

1. Gemini
2. Silence and I
   

VINYL 2 SIDE 1

1. You’re Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned
2. Psychobabble
   

VINYL 2 SIDE 2

1. Mammagamma
2. Step By Step
3. Old & Wise

EXPANDED EDITION INCLUDES THESE BONUS TRACKS:

Whenever the core musicians complete a basic backing track, there is a sensation of having reached a plateau and although the eventual production may take the recording in a totally different direction, at that moment something rather special has been created which the music buyer is often unaware of.

Amongst this collection of bonus material, there are several examples of the magical early takes and in this re-mastered version of ‘Eye In The Sky’, for those interested in the process, there is a unique opportunity to glimpse behind the curtain of the recording sessions. We have also included some abandoned experiments as well as demo material, which guided the ultimate master recordings.

Here is a track listing of the bonus material included on the ‘Eye in the Sky’ expanded edition album to whet your appetite!

TRACK 11 – SIRIUS (DEMO)

AP “I often worked at home on writing instrumental tracks that could be programmed and subsequently imported into the Studio environment, where Eric and I would work on them together with the studio band. This demo of Sirius is an example of a very early version. We later changed the key to make it an intro to the title track.”

TRACK 12 – OLD & WISE (EW GUIDE VOCAL)

AP ” Eric would always record a guide vocal at an early stage sometimes with only draft lyrics which were subsequently revised. This was most likely the version Colin Blunstone used to learn the song for his vocal on the master.”

TRACK 13 – ANY OTHER DAY (STUDIO DEMO)

EW “Although this song did not make it onto the original album, it is perhaps interesting for two reasons. Stylistically, there is a similarity between the arrangement of this track and the middle orchestral section of ‘Silence and I’. Secondly, the song is one of my personal favourites, though perhaps more suited to musical theatre and I’m currently in the process of completing it.”

TRACK 14- SILENCE & I (EW EARLY GUIDE VOCAL)

EW “One of the most interesting things for me was to be reminded of the original middle section before the orchestra was added. Andrew Powell’s masterful orchestral arrangement was added later, but here is the unembellished early version.”

TRACK 15 – THE NAKED EYE

EW “The Naked Eye selection gives a glimpse behind the curtain of the recording studio process. One of the producer’s roles is decision making as to what is used and what is not used and in this medley we have incorporated some early pre-lead vocal mixes and backing tracks which have a special magic of their own as well as individual tracks which were used in the final masters, and some which were not. As the composition of the album was thematic, it is perhaps no surprise that many of the component tracks fitted easily together. Speaking of magic moments, a feature of many of the project recordings are the masterful multi-track harmonies of Chris Rainbow and we have included a small segment where you can hear clearly what has only previously been submerged in the overall mix.”

TRACK 16 – EYE PIECES (CLASSICAL NAKED EYE)

EW “One of the most enjoyable parts of the recording process is the orchestral overdub session. In this compilation, We have taken a selection of the orchestral tracks on their own. Some of Andrew Powell’s outstanding arrangements are heard here as we experienced them at the time. Some of the component parts were not used in the final mix, but even those that were will not have been heard as they are here. Some of the component parts can be easily identified, but the slow string section comes almost incredibly from the orchestral overdub on Mammagamma and only a small fragment was incorporated in the original mix. At the end of the piece, we have included an experiment tried at the end of Silence & I. Andrew Powell and I built up a multi-piano idea, which was subsequently replaced by an orchestra.”