"Somebody's Watching Me" is a song by American singer Rockwell released as the first track from the album of the same name. It was released as a single on December 27, 1983, serving as the lead single from the album. American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson is featured on the chorus, with Jermaine providing backing vocals.[1]
"Somebody's Watching Me" was a massive success not only for Rockwell but also for Michael. It became one of the biggest singles in 1984, and both the album and the track were certified Gold. The single became one of the most iconic Halloween-themed songs and is known on similar levels to "Thriller".
Background[]
Kennedy was estranged from Berry, his father, and was living with executive producer Ray Singleton, his father's ex-wife, and the mother of his older half-brother Kerry. Kennedy began working on some music while living with Singleton. Singleton herself saw potential in him and successfully got him a staff writing job at Jobete.
Production[]
One night, Singleton overheard Kennedy working on "Somebody's Watching Me", which she thought was worth recording. Curtis Anthony Nolen was interested, and thus, was hired as the producer. While at Mars Recording Studios (which was where the song was worked on), Kennedy got the idea to get Michael to sing on the track. Kennedy picked him up and drove into Mars Recording without indicating his plans. Once Michael was in Mars Recording, Kennedy asked him to record the chorus, which he agreed to do.
Ray was excited to play the now-mixed "Somebody's Watching Me" for Berry. The latter thought one of the voices sounded familiar, but couldn't identify it. When Berry found out it was Michael, he was elated.[2]
Not wanting the Gordy surname to influence the outcome, Kennedy decided to use the name Rockwell on the record, just like Kerry, who also did this five years earlier but didn't have much success.
Music video[]
The video was released in 1984 and features Rockwell trying to spend his evening in peace, but getting distracted by encounters with monsters and other unexplainable oddities.
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Who's watching?
Tell me, who's watching?
Who's watching me?
[Verse 1]
I'm just an average man with an average life
I work from nine to five, hey, hell, I pay the price
All I want is to be left alone in my average home
But why do I always feel like I'm in The Twilight Zone? And
[Chorus]
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
And I have no privacy (Oh-oh-oh)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Tell me, is it just a dream?
[Verse 2]
When I come home at night
I bolt the door real tight
People call me on the phone, I'm trying to avoid
But can the people on TV see me, or am I just paranoid?
When I'm in the shower, I'm afraid to wash my hair
'Cause I might open my eyes and find someone standing there
People say I'm crazy, just a little touched
But maybe showers remind me of Psycho too much, that's why
[Chorus]
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
And I have no privacy (Oh-oh-oh)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Who's playing tricks on me?
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
(Who's watching me?) I don't know anymore
Are the neighbors watching me? (Who's watching?)
Well, is the mailman watching me? (Tell me, who's watching?)
And I don't feel safe anymore, oh, what a mess
I wonder who's watching me now (Who?), the IRS?
[Chorus]
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
And I have no privacy (Oh-oh-oh)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Tell me, is it just a dream?
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me (Hee-hee-hee)
And I have no privacy (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Who's playing tricks on me? (Who's watching?)
[Bridge]
Oh-oh-oh
(Who's watching me?)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Ooh, now, ah, ooh
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
(Who's watching me?)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Ooh, now, ah, ooh
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
(Who's watching me?)
[Chorus]
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
And I have no privacy (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
I can't enjoy my tea (Who's watching me?)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Can I have my privacy? (Oh-oh-oh)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Who's watching me? (Who's watching me?)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Hee-hee, oh-oh-oh-oh
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Stop playing tricks on me, yeah (Who's watching me?)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Why don't they leave me be? (Oh-oh-oh)
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
I can't enjoy my tea (Who's watching me?)
References[]
- ↑ Somebody's Watching Me (Media notes)
- ↑ https://archive.org/details/berrymemotownunt0000sing/page/297