"Somebody's Watching Me" is the debut single written, co-produced, and performed by American singer Rockwell, released by Motown in December 1983. Serving as the lead single from Rockwell's debut studio album of the same name (1984), it features uncredited guest vocals by Michael Jackson, additional backing vocals by Jermaine Jackson, and co-production from Curtis Anthony Nolan.
The song became a major commercial success internationally, topping the charts in Belgium, France, and Spain, and reaching the top 5 in Canada, West Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. In the UK, it reached No. 6 and is Rockwell's only top 40 hit on the UK Singles Chart. Rolling Stone magazine called the song "an international and enduring smash hit that, more than 30 years later, remains the perennial paranoia-rock anthem and Halloween mix go-to song."
Background and composition Rockwell is the son of Motown CEO Berry Gordy. At the time of the recording, Rockwell was estranged from his father and living with Ray Singleton, his father's ex-wife and the mother of his older half-brother, Kerry Gordy. Singleton served as executive producer on the project and would occasionally play demo tracks to Berry Gordy, who was less than enthusiastic about Rockwell's music until he heard the single with Michael Jackson's familiar voice featuring prominently on background vocals.
The song is in the key of C minor, with time, and vocals spanning from C♯4 to C♯5.
Produced by Curtis Anthony Nolen, the song features backing vocals by Michael, Randy and Jermaine Jackson, with Alan Murray on percussion.
Music video The music video depicts Rockwell at his home taking a shower and having illusions of his every move being surreptitiously recorded by a video camera. Other scenes in the video include Rockwell in a cemetery, the tap water in the shower stall spraying blood, and him having his mail delivered by a mailman who appears to be alive, but is, in fact, undead. The video ends with the mailman handing Rockwell a package, but whether this is a moment of danger or just an unsettling interaction remains ambiguous.
The mailman has a cameo in Rockwell's next video, for "Obscene Phone Caller".
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1984)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)12Brazil (ABPD)2Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)14France (IFOP)1Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Rockwell".14Peru (UPI)4South Africa (Springbok Radio)5Spain (AFYVE)1US Billboard Hot 1002US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)1US Dance/Disco Top 80 (Billboard)3US Rock Top Tracks (Billboard)31US Cash Box Top 1002Zimbabwe (ZIMA)1
Chart (2021)Peakposition
Chart (2023)PeakpositionIreland (IRMA/OCC)49
Chart (2025)PeakpositionIreland (IRMA/OCC)28
Year-end charts Chart (1984)PositionBelgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)13Canada Top Singles (RPM)28France (IFOP)47Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)16Netherlands (Single Top 100)46US Billboard Hot 10026US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)12US Cash Box Top 10021West Germany (Media Control)46
Certifications
Beatfreakz version
In 2006, Dutch dance music group Beatfreakz recorded a pseudo-cover of the song that samples the chorus but omitted the verses. This version was a top-10 hit in Belgium, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Track listing Dutch CD single "Somebody's Watching Me" (Hi_Tack radio edit) "Somebody's Watching Me" (Hi_Tack remix) "Somebody's Watching Me" (Dennis Christopher remix) "Somebody's Watching Me" (E-Craigs 2006 mix) "Somebody's Watching Me" (BeatFreakz Clubmix) "Somebody's Watching Me" (Ian Carey club mix)
Charts Weekly charts Chart (2006)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)11Hungary (Editors' Choice Top 40)33Romania (Romanian Top 100)28
Chart (2023)PeakpositionPoland (Polish Airplay Top 100)66
Year-end charts Chart (2006)PositionCIS Airplay (TopHit)40Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)94UK Singles (OCC)42Russia Airplay (TopHit)36
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United KingdomMay 1, 2006CDDataAustraliaJune 26, 2006CDMinistry of Sound
See also List of number-one R&B singles of 1984 (U.S.) Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1984 List of number-one singles of 1984 (France) List of number-one singles of 1984 (Spain)
References