Nobody Sees
Encyclopedia
"Nobody Sees" is a song by Powderfinger
from their sixth album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence
. It is the third single from the album and was released in Australia on 1 December 2007. The announcement that it would be released as a single came at the same time as releasing the music video
to the internet on the official Universal Records
website.
Despite positive critical response, the song charted poorly, peaking at 51 on the ARIA Singles Chart.
, Los Angeles
, California
, in early 2007 with producer Rob Schnapf
. In an interview with Jay and the Doctor
on Triple J
in November 2007, Fanning noted that the song is a "bookend" to Powderfinger's early breakout single "Pick You Up
" from Double Allergic
. He goes on to note that "It's 'who's going to pick you up now?'. Cause I'm not doing it any more." Fanning also noted that he considers the song a "spacey ballad". Though the band had previously released songs featuring piano, they had decided for this album to record with session pianist Benmont Tench
, who previously had played for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
, who were one of the inspirations of the album. This was in contrast to previous efforts where piano parts had been performed by Fanning or local Australian pianists. Despite Tench's performance on the song, Fanning appears in the music video as playing piano.
as a three-song EP including the studio version of the song, a live version of the song and another song from Dream Days at the Hotel Existence.
, who in all previous recordings would play keyboards and piano parts, did not record any of these parts for Dream Days at the Hotel Existence, as these duties were fulfilled by Benmont Tench
. Though Tench performed the keyboard in the recording of the song, Fanning appears at the keyboard in the music video. The scenes of the band playing are intercut with video shots of a do-it-yourself carwash, and five shots of people by themselves. These people are all initially shown being still then as the video progresses, the people are shown performing highly energetic actions in slow motion
. The actions shown include running, falling and jumping. There are instances through Ian Haug
's guitar solo where John Collins
' bass guitar and Darren Middleton
's electric guitar are also shown in close-up and slow motion.
Mess + Noise reviewer Andrew Ramadge notes that "Nobody Sees" is validated by Dream Days at the Hotel Existence's controversial track "Black Tears
", stating that it "would otherwise seem like the usual lovelorn crap [but] can’t help but take on a different meaning in the shadow of "Black Tears"." Shah Xerxes from Fasterlouder comments that the song is a "heartbreak-inspired and sugary love ballad", noting the songs sadness by referring to it as "an intensely moody number reserved for sadder moments where a little reflection and perspective is required."
UK reviewer Mike Rea from Contact Music noted "Nobody Sees" as a "standout song" from the album, which on the whole he rated 8/10. Sputnikmusic contributor James Bishop was less enthusiastic about the song, noting that it wasn't dissimilar to past Powderfinger works, although noting that it utilized "the variety and flexibility the band is capable of."
as being an EP
, though includes only three songs, beginning with the studio version of the song. The second track is the live performance of the song taken from their Across the Great Divide tour
performance at the Brisbane Powerhouse in October 2007, and the final track, "Wishing on the Same Moon", is also from the Powerhouse performance, and also originally from Dream Days at the Hotel Existence.
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Powderfinger
Powderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
from their sixth album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence
Dream Days at the Hotel Existence
Dream Days at the Hotel Existence is the sixth studio album by Australian rock band Powderfinger, released by Universal Music on 2 June 2007 in Australia, 19 November 2007 in the United Kingdom, and 11 November 2008 in the United States on the Dew Process label...
. It is the third single from the album and was released in Australia on 1 December 2007. The announcement that it would be released as a single came at the same time as releasing the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
to the internet on the official Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
website.
Despite positive critical response, the song charted poorly, peaking at 51 on the ARIA Singles Chart.
Background
"Nobody Sees" was recorded by Powderfinger for their 2007 album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence at Sunset Sound StudioSunset Sound Recorders
Sunset Sound Recorders is a recording studio in Hollywood, California, located at 6650 Sunset Boulevard.The Sunset Sound Recorders complex was converted in 1962 by Walt Disney's Director of Recording, Tutti Camarata, from a collection of old commercial and residential buildings - some built more...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, in early 2007 with producer Rob Schnapf
Rob Schnapf
Rob Schnapf is an American record producer and musician. He was the co-producer of Elliott Smith's albums Either/Or, XO , Figure 8 and From a Basement on the Hill, for which he was recruited by Smith's family to complete after Smith's death.Schnapf, along with Rothrock and partner...
. In an interview with Jay and the Doctor
Jay and the Doctor
Jay and the Doctor are the on-air names of Australian radio duo Jason Whalley and Lindsay McDougall, on radio station Triple J.Best known as members of punk band Frenzal Rhomb, they performed occasional late-night shifts on Triple J until 2004...
on Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
in November 2007, Fanning noted that the song is a "bookend" to Powderfinger's early breakout single "Pick You Up
Pick You Up
"Pick You Up" is the first single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 13 April 1996, and was Powderfinger's first moderate success both on commercial and Indie radio stations, and the most successful single from the album reaching #23 on the ARIA...
" from Double Allergic
Double Allergic
Double Allergic is the second studio album by Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger. Released in Australia on 2 September 1996 Polydor, the album was produced by Tim Whitten and widely considered Powderfinger's mainstream breakthrough....
. He goes on to note that "It's 'who's going to pick you up now?'. Cause I'm not doing it any more." Fanning also noted that he considers the song a "spacey ballad". Though the band had previously released songs featuring piano, they had decided for this album to record with session pianist Benmont Tench
Benmont Tench
Benjamin Montmorency Tench, III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
, who previously had played for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
, who were one of the inspirations of the album. This was in contrast to previous efforts where piano parts had been performed by Fanning or local Australian pianists. Despite Tench's performance on the song, Fanning appears in the music video as playing piano.
Release
The single for "Nobody Sees" was officially released on 1 December 2007 in Australia. This was announced on 16 November 2007, only two weeks prior to its release. The single was released only to the iTunes StoreITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
as a three-song EP including the studio version of the song, a live version of the song and another song from Dream Days at the Hotel Existence.
Music video
The music video for "Nobody Sees" features the entire line-up of Powderfinger in shot in the dark at nighttime with the Melbourne cityscape in the background. The group's lead vocalist, Bernard FanningBernard Fanning
Bernard Joseph Fanning is a musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010....
, who in all previous recordings would play keyboards and piano parts, did not record any of these parts for Dream Days at the Hotel Existence, as these duties were fulfilled by Benmont Tench
Benmont Tench
Benjamin Montmorency Tench, III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
. Though Tench performed the keyboard in the recording of the song, Fanning appears at the keyboard in the music video. The scenes of the band playing are intercut with video shots of a do-it-yourself carwash, and five shots of people by themselves. These people are all initially shown being still then as the video progresses, the people are shown performing highly energetic actions in slow motion
Slow motion
Slow motion is an effect in film-making whereby time appears to be slowed down. It was invented by the Austrian priest August Musger....
. The actions shown include running, falling and jumping. There are instances through Ian Haug
Ian Haug
Ian David Haug is a lead guitarist and backing vocalist in the Australian rock band Powderfinger. Mainstays Haug and bass guitarist John Collins formed the band in Brisbane in 1989. During a hiatus in Powderfinger's career, Haug worked on a side project, The Predators, with Collins and original...
's guitar solo where John Collins
John Collins (Australian musician)
John Andrew Collins is the mainstay bass guitarst for Australian rock band Powderfinger since 1989. He is one of the founding members of the band, along with guitarist Ian Haug, forming at their high school, Brisbane Grammar School as a three piece. Powderfinger has released seven studio albums, a...
' bass guitar and Darren Middleton
Darren Middleton
Darren Stuart Middleton is an Australian lead guitarist for alternative rock band Powderfinger. He is also the lead singer for Drag....
's electric guitar are also shown in close-up and slow motion.
Critical response
PerthNow reporter Jay Hanna called "Nobody Sees" "Powderfinger at their devastating best" in his Dream Days at the Hotel Existence review, commending its overall impact on the album. Clayton Bolger of Allmusic agreed, calling the song "wondrous" and praising Tench's piano work on it. The song was labeled an "AMG Track Pick". Herald Sun HiT reviewer Cameron Adams agreed, also commenting that the song was an excellent reminder "of Fanning’s prowess as a rock vocalist".Mess + Noise reviewer Andrew Ramadge notes that "Nobody Sees" is validated by Dream Days at the Hotel Existence's controversial track "Black Tears
Black Tears
"Black Tears" is a song by Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger, from their sixth studio album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence. The song is an acoustic ballad in a folk music style, beginning with one guitar and a lead vocal, later introducing a guitar with a synthesised effect from the...
", stating that it "would otherwise seem like the usual lovelorn crap [but] can’t help but take on a different meaning in the shadow of "Black Tears"." Shah Xerxes from Fasterlouder comments that the song is a "heartbreak-inspired and sugary love ballad", noting the songs sadness by referring to it as "an intensely moody number reserved for sadder moments where a little reflection and perspective is required."
UK reviewer Mike Rea from Contact Music noted "Nobody Sees" as a "standout song" from the album, which on the whole he rated 8/10. Sputnikmusic contributor James Bishop was less enthusiastic about the song, noting that it wasn't dissimilar to past Powderfinger works, although noting that it utilized "the variety and flexibility the band is capable of."
Charts
"Nobody Sees" peaked at number 51 on the ARIA Singles Chart and spent 17 weeks in the top 100.Track listing
The track listing for the "Nobody Sees" single is listed with iTunes StoreITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
as being an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, though includes only three songs, beginning with the studio version of the song. The second track is the live performance of the song taken from their Across the Great Divide tour
Across the Great Divide tour
The Across the Great Divide tour was a concert tour by Australian alternative rock bands Powderfinger and Silverchair in 2007. The tour featured concerts in 26 towns across Australia and multiple shows in New Zealand...
performance at the Brisbane Powerhouse in October 2007, and the final track, "Wishing on the Same Moon", is also from the Powerhouse performance, and also originally from Dream Days at the Hotel Existence.
- "Nobody Sees" – 4:12
- "Nobody Sees" (live) – 4:38
- "Wishing on the Same Moon" (live) – 5:53
Powderfinger
- Bernard FanningBernard FanningBernard Joseph Fanning is a musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010....
– guitar and vocals - John CollinsJohn Collins (Australian musician)John Andrew Collins is the mainstay bass guitarst for Australian rock band Powderfinger since 1989. He is one of the founding members of the band, along with guitarist Ian Haug, forming at their high school, Brisbane Grammar School as a three piece. Powderfinger has released seven studio albums, a...
– bass guitar - Ian HaugIan HaugIan David Haug is a lead guitarist and backing vocalist in the Australian rock band Powderfinger. Mainstays Haug and bass guitarist John Collins formed the band in Brisbane in 1989. During a hiatus in Powderfinger's career, Haug worked on a side project, The Predators, with Collins and original...
– guitars - Darren MiddletonDarren MiddletonDarren Stuart Middleton is an Australian lead guitarist for alternative rock band Powderfinger. He is also the lead singer for Drag....
– guitars - Jon CoghillJon CoghillJon Coghill is an Australian drummer best known for his work with Australian rock band, Powderfinger, although he has also toured with Regurgitator. Coghill replaced Powderfinger's original drummer Steven Bishop in 1991 when Bishop wanted to pursue further studies...
– drums
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Production
- Rob SchnapfRob SchnapfRob Schnapf is an American record producer and musician. He was the co-producer of Elliott Smith's albums Either/Or, XO , Figure 8 and From a Basement on the Hill, for which he was recruited by Smith's family to complete after Smith's death.Schnapf, along with Rothrock and partner...
– producer - Doug BoehmDoug BoehmDoug Boehm is an American record producer and sound engineer who specializes predominantly in the rock music genre and has worked in collaboration with Rob Schnapf on a number of occasions. He produced the releases of the American group French Kicks and served as the recording engineer for Dr...
– engineer
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