The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Up here in space
I'm looking down on you
My lasers trace
Everything you do
You think you've private lives
Think nothing of the kind
There is no true escape
I'm watching all the time
I'm made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
I'm elected electric spy
I'm protected electric eye
Always in focus
Can't feel my stare
I zoom into you
But you don't know I'm there
I take a pride in probing all your secret moves
My tearless retina takes pictures that can prove
I'm made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
I'm elected, electric spy
I'm protected, electric eye
Electric eye, in the sky
Feel my stare, always there
There's nothing you can do about it
Develop and expose
I feed upon your every thought
So my power grows
I'm made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
I'm elected, electric spy
I'm protected, electric eye
I'm elected, electric spy
I'm elected, protective, detective, electric eye
I'm looking down on you
My lasers trace
Everything you do
You think you've private lives
Think nothing of the kind
There is no true escape
I'm watching all the time
I'm made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
I'm elected electric spy
I'm protected electric eye
Always in focus
Can't feel my stare
I zoom into you
But you don't know I'm there
I take a pride in probing all your secret moves
My tearless retina takes pictures that can prove
I'm made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
I'm elected, electric spy
I'm protected, electric eye
Electric eye, in the sky
Feel my stare, always there
There's nothing you can do about it
Develop and expose
I feed upon your every thought
So my power grows
I'm made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
I'm elected, electric spy
I'm protected, electric eye
I'm elected, electric spy
I'm elected, protective, detective, electric eye
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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I must respectfully disagree with those who think that these lyrics directly reference "1984". Perhaps Priest had George Orwell's classic in the back of their minds when they penned these words, but it seems more likely that they were referencing the growing sophistication of spy satellites and their use in suppressing socio-political dissent when this was written way back in 1982.
This song is amazingly prophetic when you consider how every one of us are under a great deal more surveillance today than we were thirty years ago. They can keep an eye on us with satellites when we're on the street and via software and security cameras when we step inside.
Plus, "Electric Eye" just rocks hard, period.
Here, Rob Halford sings from two points of view in two different tones: One as the hunter, one as the hunted- man and the satellites observing his every move.
I think it has a "Big Brother" feel to it, where your every move is being monitored and Big Brother is always watching you.
Obama's and NSA's song
@GabrielCCCP Definitely a Trumper's dream. Republicans want to spy on everyone and control people.
its obvious. songs about satellites and how the government is spying on us and how we cant get away with anything anymore!
@Mettal_Rules18 I don't do anything that would interest the government enough though
This song was definitely influenced by the book 1984 by George Orwell.
this song is awesome they opened with it last year at ozzfest judas priest kick ass i wish d been here twenty years ago to see them when they were younger
this song like you guys have said defiantly has to do with big brother, i get the feeling of the book 1984 and brave new world from this song because of, "You think you’ve private lives" "I take a pride in probing all your secret moves My tearless retina takes pictures that can prove"
This song rules, i think it's about the downside to security surveilance, how it takes away our privacy, even though it prevents crime ("keeps the country clean")
Just wondering Dreamer Decieve whats the point of view from the hunted...?