Released in May 1984, this was the second single from the Rebel Yell album. It was very successful and reached a high of #4 on the Billboard Charts becoming Idol's first Top 10 hit in the U.S.
In the liner notes for the Expanded Edition of Rebel Yell, Billy Idol notes that this song was one of the first three written for the album (the other two being the title track and "(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows." The original track was recorded in Studio A at Electric Lady Studios in New York, with a Linn drum machine and the bass parts played by Steve Webster.
The song is notable for the female voice of Perri Lister that sings 'Les yeux sans visage' (French for 'eyes without a face') as a background chorus.
The music video was directed by David Mallet and begins with a close-up of Idol's sneering face, interspersed with three unidentifiable ('faceless') female singers. Later during the song's bridge, the scene changes to Steve Stevens shredding on guitar and Idol in familiar punk poses while dancing in a flaming hexagon surrounded by hooded acolytes. The imagery of the video contrasts with the relative softness of the song and its lyrics of longing.
Reportedly filmed in a marathon 30-hour session, the video was released in June 1984 and subsequently nominated for MTV Video Music Awards for 'Best Editing' and 'Best Cinematography'.
Lyrics
I'm all out of hope One more bad dream could bring a fall When I'm far from home Don't call me on the phone To tell me you're alone It's easy to deceive It's easy to tease But hard to get release
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face Got no human grace your eyes without a face.
I spend so much time Believing all the lies To keep the dream alive Now it makes me sad It makes me mad at truth For loving what was you
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face Got no human grace your eyes without a face.
When you hear the music you make a dip Into someone else's pocket then make a slip. Steal a car and go to Las Vegas oh, the gigolo pool. I'm on a bus on a psychedelic trip Reading murder books tryin' to stay hip. I'm thinkin' of you you're out there so Say your prayers. Say your prayers. Say your prayers.
Now I close my eyes And I wonder why I don't despise Now all I can do Is love what was once So alive and new But it's gone from your eyes I'd better realise
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face Got no human grace your eyes without a face. Such a human waste your eyes without a face And now it's getting worse.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment