Burning The Ground Exclusive 1984
Request
“Eyes Without a Face” is a song by the English rock musician Billy Idol, from his second studio album Rebel Yell (1983). It was released in June 1984 as the second single from the album. The song is softer and more ballad-like than most of the album’s other singles. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Idol’s first top-10 hit in the US. The recording features the voice of Perri Lister—she appeared in the banned video for “Hot in the City”—who sings “Les yeux sans visage” (French for “Eyes without a face”) as a background chorus. The title of the song refers to the English title of French director Georges Franju’s horror film Les Yeux sans visage (1960). The “Single Version” was not included on the 2024 expanded Edition of “Rebel Yell”.
SIDE A:
Eyes Without A Face (LP Version) 4:58
SIDE B:
Eyes Without A Face (Single Version) 4:10
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Eyes Without A Face | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #4 |
| 1984 | Eyes Without A Face | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #5 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – AS 1856
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock
CREDITS:
NOTES:
Special AOR 12″
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Thank you, I love Billy Idol. It’s still odd to me that the stereo channels of the single version are reversed on this single and on the Monster Ballads various artists compilation.
Thought this was an interesting article
!Billy Idol: ‘I stole the master tapes for Rebel Yell – and gave them to my heroin dealer’ (msn.com)
Jeff
Thanks for sharing this great Billy Idol interview with BTG followers. I learned so much. I knew artists often would try to hold their labels hostage, buy Idol took it to a whole new level! I’m not sure if the MSN photo or another p!ssed him off as I don’t see anything on my tiny iPhone screen. Maybe you can enlighten me to which photo he refers.
I wasn’t sure what he was talking about here either. I was hoping someone else could point it out for us. I have lousy vision myself. So sorry 😞
Jeff
We always called this “Fries Without A Shake” when it was in its overplayed days. A Billy Idol tidbit: This is listed as an “AOR 12”, but this is just the album version, not a hotter “guitars up” mix for album rock. Back then, Chrysalis only get Billy airplay on alternative and CHR (top 40) stations, and was having trouble breaking him to rock radio who was still set on playing Pink Floyd, Bryan Adams, and Def Leppard tracks at the time. Fast forward 40 years and classic hits and rock stations are playing him like crazy. Even classic hits… Read more »
Thanks very much PaulT for Billy Idol.
This is bringing back lotso HS memories for me and it’s been so long between visits to BTG that I’ve forgotten the procedures for making a request.
Memo to self : Must. Investigate. Request. Protocols. Stat!
My two favourite tracks by Billy Idol Will always be this one and “White Wedding”. I first heared “Eyes Without A Face” as the oppening track of a DJ program at a popular club when it was released. It caught me immediately! I even thought it was a special 12” mix… I really wish there was a longer version with extra instrumentatiion, as this is a very well produced song (also an instrumental/dub as Fred said) MANY thanks for the perfect transfer, Paul. No “remastered” CD can replace the original, warm sound of the vinyl…Engineers did a great job those… Read more »
Thank you, RtrHG I appreciate your comment.
A favourite of mine from Billy Idol. I remember you posting the Japan 12” issue back in 2014, i still play the single mix and it sounds good as ever.
Thanks Paul for this newer rip from the US 12” promo single issue 🙂
You’re welcome, Marco 🙂
Thanks for this Paul. Can never have enough Billy. The single version of Eyes was also available on “Idol Songs – 11 of the Best” for those playing along at home.
You’re welcome, Richard 🙂
Man, I love how you always manage to make a music nerd’s heart beat faster by completing a deluxe edition! So glad you decided to share this!THANK YOU!
Just listened to your transfer of the LP version and compared it to the newly remastered version, and your version is so much richer! Unbelievable! Great work as always!!!!
Paul, would you by any chance have White Wedding Parts I & II (Shot Gun Mix) with the Mega-Idol Mix
https://www.discogs.com/release/1625340-Billy-Idol-White-Wedding-Parts-I-II-Shot-Gun-Mix
Hi Martika, I just checked my Billy Idol collection and I have that one so I will try to post it soon. 🙂
Amazing! I was hoping they would include it in the deluxe edition, but of course, they didn’t! Truth be told though, I would rather have your transfer anyways!
Thank you, Martika 🙂
This was one of my favorite BI songs and especially the LP version with the longer intro. I always wished they would release the Instrumental as I just love, love, love the music that powers this song. Thanks so much, Paul!!
You’re welcome, Fred 🙂
Killer tune by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens! Astonishing vinyl rip! Nice work! Love this song!
Thank you so much, PhotoHop 🙂
Well done sir!! Excellent!
Thank you, Kent. 🙂
Lovely song! Thank you very much Paul!!
You’re welcome, Gonzalo 🙂
Paul I’m in disbelief!! I’m having a Jeff moment… I’ll get back to you!!
Lol 🙂
I can’t thank you enough! This has been on my want list for quite some time. And it’s not as readily available as one would think. Not only am I personally in gratitude for fulfilling my request, but as evident many in this community are thankful! In terms of Billy Idol singles, it doesn’t get much better than this. I’m so excited to have it in ‘Paulity’! Thank you many times over!!
Retro Hound!!
I feel your excitement and gratitude!! You’re one of the best!!
Jeff
Thank you Jeff!! Takes one to know one.
Very cool! Thanks!
You’re welcome, Conner 🙂
Thanks, Paul for this celebrated single from Billy Idol!! It’s such a haunting record, much like the film it’s based on. This movie, once seen, you just can’t get it out of your head.
Recently, I found out that John Luongo was behind the mix. This tidbit I found out courtesy of “Arthur Baker Presents Dance Masters: John Luong” from the liner notes provided in the set. I just wish there was a dance mix proper, because I haven’t found a dance mix I like. It’s so great to have the single mix here. This is most excellent, Paul!!
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff. I will have to watch the film. 🙂
Jeff, did you hear last year’s Eyes Without A Face (Poolside Remix)? It’s pretty interesting, albeit not better than the original.
Otherwise, at 86 BPM, it would be hard to turn it into a “proper” dance version, because it would have to be set to Drum & Bass or Happy Hardcore speed at 174 BPM… or slowed down too much to get it to even fit over a 140 BPM.
Martika,
Thanks for mentioning this mix to me. I’ll have to check it out. I understand what you said about the slower BPM, but I wished they tried. I love what Paul’s done for us…ALWAYS!!!
Jeff
Personally, I can never have enough Billy Idol remixes! They hit the spot perfectly for me!
I agree. Idol’s sound is so unique and all! And oh, Martika, thanks for requesting that Billy Idol mix too! I am keeping my “ears” peeled!!
Jeff
Though I adore extended versions of songs, this was not a true “dance song”. Believe me, I tried, and it cleared the dance floor. Now play “Dancing With Myself” (Generation X dance version) or “White Wedding” and watch the difference!
I can see your point concerning this song.
And speaking of lower BPMs, I’m amazed though by current rap and hip-hop genres. The songs lately are so sluggish with 70 BPMs and lower and so I don’t know how people can dance to them. I just love the music of yesteryear so much better than today’s!
DJ XREY, thanks for your astute thoughts about this song.
Jeff
My favorite Billy song! Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome, Tim 🙂