billy idol eyes without a face

"Eyes Without a Face" is a power ballad by English rock musician Billy Idol, released in April 1984 as the second single from his second studio album Rebel Yell (1983). It is softer and more ballad-like compared to most of the album's other singles. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Idol's first top-10 hit in the US. The title and inspiration come from the 1960 French horror film Les Yeux Sans Visage (Eyes Without a Face), about a plastic surgeon attempting to restore his disfigured daughter's face, leaving only her eyes original—hence "eyes without a face." Idol drew parallels between the film's theme and his experiences living in 1980s New York and strained personal relationships. Musically, the song features a revolving four-chord pattern, a reggae-influenced bass part played by Sal Cuevas, and backing vocals in French by Idol's then-girlfriend Perri Lister. The lyrics reflect themes of deception, lost soul, and a troubled relationship, with a mix of melodic singing and spoken-word style rap verses. The music video was notable for its artistic cinematography and challenging shoot conditions, leading to Idol temporarily injuring his eyes during filming. Key personnel on the track include Billy Idol (vocals), Steve Stevens (guitar), Sal Cuevas (bass), Judi Dozier (synthesizers), Keith Forsey (drum machine), and Perri Lister (backing vocals).