by Jessica Shelton· Published · Updated
The title of this song was derived from a 1960 French film named “Les Yeux sans Visage”. Listeners may notice that this is the same phrase repeated in the chorus. It translate into English as “eyes without a face”.
');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })();It has been postulated that this song is directly based on that film. Even if such is not the case, “Les Yeux sans Visage” has influenced this track beyond just its title.
');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })();All things considered, the central character is the singer. The beginning of the song depicts him as behind depressed, not too far from disaster. However, the main issue on his mind is someone who is apparently his lover. This is a person who for the most part he perceives as being untruthful. And ultimately, he concludes that she has “no human grace” and is “eyes without a face”. This seems to be his way of saying that, in his opinion, she treats him inhumanly and by extension is herself lesser of a human being.
However, he has decided to play her game in the name of perpetuating the romance. But now it seems he has come to regret that decision since it is contributing to his overall negative disposition. So the singer finally decides that it would be in his best interest to forsake the relationship and throw a few jabs at home girl on the way out.
Facts about “Eyes Without a Face”
- “Eyes Without a Face” was the first time Billy Idol cracked the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, where the song peaked at number four.
- This song also charted in a number of other countries, including reaching number 18 in the United Kingdom.
- “Eyes Without a Face” came out on 10 November 1983 as part of Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell album. Later it would serve as the second single released from that album.
- The official music video to this song received two nominations, including Best Cinematography in a Video at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards.
- Billy Idol actually suffered from an eye injury as a result of neglecting his contact lenses during the three-day shooting of the music video.
- The woman who provides the French vocals for “Eyes Without a Face” was Billy Idol’s girlfriend, a professional dancer by the name of Perri Lister, whom he dated throughout the ‘80s.
- The duo of Steve Stevens and Billy Idol both wrote and produced this track.
- Its publisher is Chrysalis Records.
