Today was one of those very rare occasions when you hear a song for the first time and it dominates your thoughts for the whole day.
Let’s start at the beginning…
Another run-of-the-mill Monday really. As usual one of the very first things I do is check my phone, check my website stats, browse the various social media channels. This morning, for some reason, at the very top of my YouTube list was Billy Idol Live at the Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015, with a song, I’d never heard of before: Eyes Without a Face. From the first few bars, I was hooked.
It appeared to be a bit of a crowd favourite too, so without further ado, I searched out the official video, and I’ve been obsessing about it ever since!
Eyes Without a Face – The facts.
Eyes Without a Face is a song released in 1984 and written by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens. It is inspired by the 1960 French movie Les Yeux Sans Visage (Eyes Without a Face), with the French translation forming the lyrics for the chorus.
Les Yeux Sans Visage (Eyes Without a Face).
Here’s where it gets really interesting…
The movie was about a plastic surgeon who vowed to restore the face of his daughter who had been disfigured in a car accident, and this quest led him to murder victims and graft their facial features onto his daughter in an attempt to restore her beauty. By the end, all that remained of her original face were her eyes, thus making her “eyes without a face”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyes_Without_a_Face_(song)
Lyrically, Billy Idol expressed parallels with his soulless 1980’s New York City / touring lifestyle and relationships.
What’s so special about this song?
I’ve been songwriting (or at least trying to write songs) and producing music for almost 30 years. I’ve used it as a sort of musical diary mainly, but for a large part, I’ve been arrogant enough to immerse myself in my own music alone, to the detriment of my listening and learning.
Here’s the thing: It’s been less than 12 hours since I heard this song for the first time and I’m questioning why I bothered to try! This song is a sickener. So far ahead, musically, lyrically, and artistically of anything I could ever hope to acheive in a lifetime.
But more than just taking it at face value, it appeals and thoroughly quenches my own unique tastes. I love melodic, emotive, simple ballads. Something with a message. For me this is perfect.
Steve Stevens is a phenomenal guitarist and songwriter.
Another layer to this eye-opener of a day is my introduction to Steve Stevens. The co-writer of this amazing song and the man behind Ido;l’s more famous hits. Plus, he’s just that little bit different from your everyday guitar hero. Latin-inspired electro-acoustic extended guitar solos anyone? I’m glad I found him.
Music is good for the soul.
After the crushing disappointment of realising I’ll never be close to being good enough, all that was left in my ears was this song, and the penny dropped. I should’ve let people in more often, appreciated their music, different music, researched their work, discovered, listened! I’ve taken a melancholic trip back to 1984 here, and it feels like I’ve missed out on some amazing, healing experiences. I should have made the time investment, as I was reminded today that music truly is good for the soul.
Eyes Without a Face – The Song.
So to the actual song. Initially, It’s Roxy Music, with swirling keyboards and an unexpectedly syncopated bass groove that sets up an unnerving atmosphere. But there’s no twee romanticism here as Idol delivers his own unhinged take way down the vocal range. The verse melody has you hooked instantly, even more so with the manic stare from the video. It’s child-like, familiar, but dark, exactly in tune with the jolting themes from the film.
The song is in the ‘happy’ key of Emaj7. But its trick is to instantly deviate into the minor chords, giving it its helpless mood.
Another point of interest is the chorus Les Yeux Sans Visage, sung by Idol’s then-girlfriend Perri Lister of Hot Gossip fame, (Yet more 80’s nostalgia!) complimented by the contrasting understated authority of Idol to the expertly executed turnaround.
And before you forget who Steve Stevens is, in comes his statement of intent, with massive, tight, distorted chords and effects that couldn’t be more 80’s or more fun. In fact, it all gets a little bit more traditional Billy Idol, to be honest. And then an absolute genius (and very welcome) of a transition back to the very start. This is songwriting and musicianship at a level that was once commonplace but has sadly been forgotten, by myself included.
It’s not too often said, but this is a fantastic, controlled, emotive vocal performance. The delivery forces me to believe every word of a broken man.
One more bad break
Could bring a fall
Long story short?
I love this song. It’s both made me feel inadequate as a musician and re-introduced me to the joy of listening to and appreciating music again. It’s also been a wonderfully nostalgic trip back to the ’80s when dreams, optimism, and artistry thrived.
A timeless, complete, musical, lyrical, and visual package.
Have a listen/watch, get the whole album, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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