"Eye" is a song by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released in 1997 on the soundtrack to the David Lynch film Lost Highway. Along with the song "The End Is the Beginning Is the End" from Batman & Robin and "Christmastime" from A Very Special Christmas 3, "Eye" represented a period of work on compilations done by the Pumpkins in between the release of the two albums Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and Adore. It also appeared on their greatest hits collection Rotten Apples.
It was the band's first song released after the firing of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin the previous summer.
Song history
In the aftermath of the quadruple-platinum Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Smashing Pumpkins’ lead singer Billy Corgan’s music publisher suggested he collaborate with basketball superstar and rapper Shaquille O'Neal, who had begun work on You Can't Stop the Reign.Thomas, Richard. "Signal to Noise: The Sonic Diary of the Smashing Pumpkins . EQ Magazine. October 2008. Corgan began work on a programmed backing track loosely inspired by Dr. Dre, but the collaboration fell through. Meanwhile, Lynch and Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor were assembling the soundtrack to Lynch's new film, Lost Highway. Lynch, who later would call Corgan a "magical musician",Turner, Gustavo. ""Billy Corgan is a Magical Musician" Declares David Lynch ". LA Weekly Blogs. 2009-11-04. rejected Corgan's submission, "Tear", which would eventually be included on Adore. Corgan quickly finished off "Eye" and Lynch loved it, using it in a nightclub scene in the film.
An acoustic version of the song was performed in 1997 at the Bridge School Benefit concert. The performance featured Twiggy Ramirez and Marilyn Manson.
So far, "Eye" has been performed live by the band on their 1997, 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2016 tours, opting for a guitar-driven sound with live drums (by Matt Walker, Jimmy Chamberlin, and Mike Byrne, respectively) in lieu of a drum machine.spfc.org - Tour History - Eye. It has also been played in their 2018 and 2019 tour with Jimmy Chamberlin.
Reception
The song reached number eight on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1997.[ Billboard Chart History - Smashing Pumpkins] Corgan later said the surprise success of "Eye" as a single inspired the band to continue with the new electronica-tinged direction as they began work on Adore.Corgan, Billy. "Coming Down the Mountain ". The Confessions of Billy Corgan.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1997)PeakpositionIceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)6
Year-end charts Chart (1997)PositionIceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)66US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)47
Covers Meg Myers covered the song for 2026's Sending Hearts To All My Dearies: A Tribute To The Smashing Pumpkins.
References