Alan Parsons Project - Sirius & Eye In The Sky (Arista Records 1982)

“Eye in the Sky“ is a song by British rock band the Alan Parsons Project, released as a single from their sixth studio album, Eye in the Sky (1982), in May 1982. It entered the US Billboard charts on July 3rd and hit No. 3 in October 1982, No. 1 in both Canada and Spain, and No. 6 in New Zealand, becoming their most successful release. “Sirius“ is best known in the U.S. as the instrumental song that was used to introduce the starting lineup of the Chicago Bulls for home games at both Chicago Stadium and the United Center before, during, and after their run of six NBA championships from 1984 to 2004. On the original recording, the 1:54 minute instrumental piece entitled “Sirius“ immediately precedes, and segues into, “Eye in the Sky“. On the single release, “Eye in the Sky“ appears on its own, with “Sirius“ edited out; that was the version usually played on pop radio at the time. However, album-oriented rock and classic rock stations now almost always include the “Sirius“ intro. The Alan Parsons Project were a British rock band active between 1975 and 1990, whose core membership consisted of producer, audio engineer, musician and composer Alan Parsons and singer, songwriter and pianist Eric Woolfson. They were accompanied by varying session musicians and some relatively consistent session players such as guitarist Ian Bairnson, arranger Andrew Powell, bassist and vocalist David Paton, drummer Stuart Elliott, and vocalists Lenny Zakatek and Chris Rainbow. Parsons and Woolfson shared writing credits on almost all of the Project’s songs, with Parsons producing or co-producing all of the band’s recordings. The band’s sound is described as progressive rock, art rock, progressive pop, and soft rock. “Sirius“ is their best-known and most-frequently heard of all Parsons/Woolfson songs. It was used as entrance music by various American sports teams, notably by the Chicago Bulls during their 1990s NBA dynasty. It was also used as the entrance theme for Ricky Steamboat in pro wrestling of the mid-1980s. In addition, “Sirius“ is played in a variety of TV shows and movies including the BBC series Record Breakers, the episode “Vanishing Act“ of The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and the 2009 film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Vocal duties were shared by guests to complement each song. In later years, Woolfson sang lead on many of the group’s hits, including “Time“, “Eye in the Sky“, and “Don’t Answer Me“. The record company pressured Parsons to use Woolfson more, but Parsons preferred to use polished proficient singers; Woolfson admitted he was not in that category. In addition to Woolfson, vocalists Chris Rainbow, Lenny Zakatek, John Miles, David Paton, and Colin Blunstone are regulars. Other singers, such as Arthur Brown, Steve Harley, Gary Brooker, Dave Terry . Elmer Gantry, Vitamin Z’s Geoff Barradale, and Marmalade’s Dean Ford, recorded only once or twice with the Project. The Alan Parsons Project released eleven studio albums in its 15-year career, the most successful being I Robot (1977), The Turn of a Friendly Card (1980) and Eye in the Sky (1982). Many of their albums are conceptual in nature and focus on science fiction, supernatural, literary and sociological themes. Don’t think sorry’s easily said Don’t try turning tables instead You’ve taken lots of chances before But I ain’t gonna give anymore Don’t ask me That’s how it goes ’Cause part of me knows what you’re thinking Don’t say words you’re gonna regret Don’t let the fire rush to your head I’ve heard the accusation before And I ain’t gonna take any more Believe me The sun in your eyes Made some of the lies worth believing I am the eye in the sky Looking at you I can read your mind I am the maker of rules Dealing with fools I can cheat you blind And I don’t need to see any more to know that I can read your mind (looking at you) I can read your mind (looking at you) I can read your mind (looking at you) I can read your mind Don’t leave false illusions behind Don’t cry cause I ain’t changing my mind So find another fool like before Cause I ain’t gonna live anymore believing Some of the lies while all of the signs are deceiving I am the eye in the sky Looking at you I can read your mind I am the maker of rules Dealing with fools I can cheat you blind And I don’t need to see any more to know that I can read your mind (looking at you) I can read your mind (looking at you) I can read your mind (looking at you) I can read your mind I am the eye in the sky Looking at you I can read your mind I am the maker of rules Dealing with fools I can cheat you blind And I don’t need to see any more to know that I can read your mind (looking at you) I can read your mind (looking at you) I can read your mind (looking at you) I can read your mind