Alan Parsons Project Eye in the Sky charted in the U.S.

Eye in the Sky Alan Parsons Project

Charted: June 19, 1982 Peak: 7 US, 28 UK, 3 CN, 4 AU Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.06 UK, 2.38 world (includes US and UK) Genre: progressive rock lite

Tracks: Song Title [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts. Sirius (instrumental) [1:48] Eye in the Sky [4:33] v: Eric Woolfson (7/3/82, 3 US, 2 RR, 3 AC, 11 AR, 1 CN, 22 AU) Children of the Moon [4:49] v: David Paton Gemini [2:09] v: Chris Rainbow Silence and I [7:17] v: Eric Woolfson You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned [4:19] v: Lenny Zakatek (6/26/82, 22 AR) Psychobabble [4:50] v: Elmer Gantry (7/10/82, 57 US, 54 AR) Mammagamma (instrumental) [3:34] Step by Step [3:52] v: Lenny Zakatek Old and Wise [4:52] v: Collin Blunstone (1/15/83, 21 AC, 74 UK) All tracks written by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson. The ‘v’ after the song listing indicates who does lead vocals. Total Running Time: 42:03 The Players: Alan Parsons (production, engineering, assorted instruments) Eric Woolfson (vocals, keyboards, piano) Ian Bairson (guitar) David Paton (bass) Stuart Elliott (drums, percussion) Colin Blunstone, Chris Rainbow, Elmer Gantry, Lenny Zakatek (vocals) Mel Collins (saxophone) The Philharmonia Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Andrew Powell

Rating: 3.973 out of 5.00 (average of 17 ratings) Quotable: “On no other album by this group is there such a tight amalgamation of music, lyrics, and ideas, all combining to create songs that are accessible to a vast audience” – Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album: ”The fusion of Parsons' thematic intentions and exquisitely textured music comes to fruition on 1982's Eye in the Sky,” AMG an album which ”returned in some ways to [Parsons’] more progressive, art-rock past,” AZ but also serves as “the transition between the seventies’ Project art rock sound and the more clinical, Fairlight-laden eighties sound.” DV “Parsons’ approach was a synthesis of studio wizardry with a symphonic, spacey interplay between keyboards, synthesizers and basic rock instrumentation.” AZ ”With a powdery feel and pristine sound, Eye in the Sky is worthy of both amiable songs and conceptual substance, something not found on all of the Alan Parsons Project’s albums.” AMG “On no other album by this group is there such a tight amalgamation of music, lyrics, and ideas, all combining to create songs that are accessible to a vast audience.” AMG ”The album deals with the futuristic outlook of how our lives will be constantly monitored by ‘Big Brother’ and the manner in which man's right for freedom and choice may someday be thwarted by the government, or the powers that be. Aside from Parsons' intriguing concept, the individual songs serve a dual purpose by carrying out the album's message while at the same being perfect examples of well-crafted rock.” AMG ”The up-and-down flow of the instrumental Sirius is astonishing, and is used wisely as the opening track.” AMG The song is “perhaps best known as the Chicago Bulls theme and featured at countless NBA games. P.Diddy (Puff Daddy) also chose [it] as the backbone for the title track of his most platinum-selling CD, The Saga Continues. In 2000, ‘Sirius’ was featured in an IMAX documentary movie about Michael Jordan.” AP Of course, that opening instrumental then leads into the Project’s biggest hit of their career, Eye in the Sky. While the Project has a fair amount of album rock favorites, this was their only top ten hit on the pop charts. It ”is a prime example of a fabulous rock song, highlighted by the harmonic beauty of Eric Woolfson.” AMG Along with the instrumental “Sirius,” the next two songs, Children of the Moon and Gemini “all have Parsons's love of the esoteric.” AZ The latter “is an astonishing piece of vocal harmony.” DV Next up is Silence and I, “a rich, multi-layered vocal and orchestral piece” DV followed by You’re Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned, which “ is a surprisingly straight-ahead rock number.” DV ”Psychobabble is a cerebral rock song that best represents the album's concept” AMG and, “though never a hit…remains a favorite of fans.” AZ ”Mammagamma is another instrumental that brandishes the group's trademarked mysteriousness, wrapped in an ominous science fiction-type glow.” AMG It “allowed Parsons to fully indulge his fondness for orchestration with its instrumental structure.” AZ ”The softness of Old and Wise sums up the threatening result that may someday evolve, with a hint of promise for a favorable outcome.” AMG The song begs to be played at funerals with its simultaneously heart-wrenching and uplifting statement “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.” ”What you have here is a seriously tasty piece of symphonic pop/rock, music for grownups.” DV ”Eye in the Sky is, quite simply, the Project’s finest hour.” DV Notes: The 2007 reissue added alternate versions of “Sirius,” “Old and Wise,” and “Silence and I.” There was also an additional song (“Any Other Day”), the instrumental medley “The Naked Eye” and “Eye Pieces.”

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Alan Parsons AMG All Music Guide review by Mike DeGagne AZ Amazon.com review by Steve Gdula DV DailyVault.com review by Duke Egbert AP AlanParsonsMusic.com WK Wikipedia Other Related DMDB Pages: First posted 3/24/2008; last updated 9/23/2021.