Somebody's Watching Me
Encyclopedia
"Somebody's Watching Me" is the debut single by R&B artist Rockwell
, released on the Motown label in 1984
. The song's lyrics relate the narrator's paranoid
fear of being followed and watched. It featured former Motown artists Michael Jackson
on the chorus and Jermaine Jackson
on additional backing vocals.
, his father's ex-wife. Singleton served as executive producer on the project and would occasionally play some demo tracks to Berry Gordy. The elder Gordy was less than enthusiastic about Rockwell's music until he heard the single with a familiar voice featured prominently on background vocals.
Produced by Curtis Anthony Nolen, the song featured backing vocals by ex-Motown artist Michael Jackson and the infamous Alan Murray on percussion. "Somebody's Watching Me" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
in 1984, and reached the top of the Billboard R&B singles
chart, as well as reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart
.
underscores the song's paranoid tone with a haunted house
-inspired theme, including imagery of floating heads, ravens, graveyards, and shower scenes referencing the novel Psycho. The mailman who appears in the music video for "Somebody's Watching Me" also stars in the video for "Obscene Phone Caller". This was a low budget video. Music video produced by The Wolfe Company, directed by Francis Delia, cinematography by Dominic Sena, production manager: Jason Braunstein, production coordinator: Jon Leonoudakis. Leonoudakis appears in the video as the visual metaphor "watching" Rockwell through the porthole of the front door.
based his 1992 single "Somebody Dance with Me
" on "Somebody's Watching Me" with new lyrics and rap. The DJ Bobo single peaked at #1 in Sweden and Switzerland, #3 in Austria, Netherlands and Norway, at #4 in Germany and #13 in Australia.
recorded a pseudo-cover of the song which sampled the chorus but omitted the verses. Their version peaked at #1 in Spain, #3 in the UK Singles Chart, #3 in the German Official Dance Chart, #4 in Russia, #7 in Finland, #12 in the Dutch Top 40, #18 in France, #36 in the Belgium UltraTop 50, #45 in Australia.
CD single
Rockwell (musician)
Rockwell is an R&B performer who was signed to the Motown label.-Biography:...
, released on the Motown label in 1984
1984 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1984.-Janury-March:*January 21 – "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart, despite being banned by the BBC; it spends a total of forty-two weeks in the Top 40.*January 27 – Michael Jackson's...
. The song's lyrics relate the narrator's paranoid
Paranoia
Paranoia [] is a thought process believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory beliefs, or beliefs of conspiracy concerning a perceived threat towards oneself...
fear of being followed and watched. It featured former Motown artists Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
on the chorus and Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
on additional backing vocals.
Original recording
Rockwell is the son of Motown CEO Berry Gordy Jr. At the time of the recording Rockwell was estranged from his father and living with Ray SingletonRay Singleton
Ray Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton is an American R&B producer, songwriter and vocalist, best known for her association with ex-husband Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown.-Early life:...
, his father's ex-wife. Singleton served as executive producer on the project and would occasionally play some demo tracks to Berry Gordy. The elder Gordy was less than enthusiastic about Rockwell's music until he heard the single with a familiar voice featured prominently on background vocals.
Produced by Curtis Anthony Nolen, the song featured backing vocals by ex-Motown artist Michael Jackson and the infamous Alan Murray on percussion. "Somebody's Watching Me" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 1984, and reached the top of the Billboard R&B singles
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart, as well as reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Music video
The single's music videoMusic 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...
underscores the song's paranoid tone with a haunted house
Haunted house
A haunted house is a house or other building often perceived as being inhabited by disembodied spirits of the deceased who may have been former residents or were familiar with the property...
-inspired theme, including imagery of floating heads, ravens, graveyards, and shower scenes referencing the novel Psycho. The mailman who appears in the music video for "Somebody's Watching Me" also stars in the video for "Obscene Phone Caller". This was a low budget video. Music video produced by The Wolfe Company, directed by Francis Delia, cinematography by Dominic Sena, production manager: Jason Braunstein, production coordinator: Jon Leonoudakis. Leonoudakis appears in the video as the visual metaphor "watching" Rockwell through the porthole of the front door.
DJ BoBo version: "Somebody Dance With Me"
DJ BoBoDJ Bobo
Peter René Cipiriano Baumann , better known as DJ BoBo, is a Swiss singer, songwriter, dancer and music producer. He has sold 14 million records worldwide and has released 10 studio albums as well as a few compilation albums which have included his previous hits in a reworked format...
based his 1992 single "Somebody Dance with Me
Somebody Dance with Me
Somebody Dance with Me is a DJ BoBo 1992 song that is based on some parts on sampling from "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell.-Tracklist:CD Single# Somebody Dance With Me # Somebody Dance With Me...
" on "Somebody's Watching Me" with new lyrics and rap. The DJ Bobo single peaked at #1 in Sweden and Switzerland, #3 in Austria, Netherlands and Norway, at #4 in Germany and #13 in Australia.
Beatfreakz version
In May 2006, the BeatfreakzBeatfreakz
The Beatfreakz is a dance group formed in the Netherlands in 2006. The band consists of Dennis Christopher, Dimitrie Siliakus and Mark Simmons....
recorded a pseudo-cover of the song which sampled the chorus but omitted the verses. Their version peaked at #1 in Spain, #3 in the UK Singles Chart, #3 in the German Official Dance Chart, #4 in Russia, #7 in Finland, #12 in the Dutch Top 40, #18 in France, #36 in the Belgium UltraTop 50, #45 in Australia.
CD single
- Somebody's Watching Me [Hi_Tack Edit]
- Somebody's Watching Me [Hi_Tack Club Mix]
- Somebody's Watching Me [E-Craig's 2006 Remix]
- Somebody's Watching Me [DeNnis Christopher Remix]
- Somebody's Watching Me [Ian Carey Club Mix]
Other cover versions
- New York based rapper Necro featured a remix of the song on his album Street Villains Vol. 2
- Jamaican dancehallDancehallDancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
group T.O.K.T.O.K.T.O.K. is a dancehall group hailing from Kingston, Jamaica. The group consists of Alistaire "Alex" McCalla, Roshaun "Bay-C" Clarke, Craig "Craigy T" Thompson, and Xavier "Flexx" Davidson...
covered the song for their 2001 album My Crew, My DawgsMy Crew, My DawgsMy Crew, My Dawgs is a T.O.K. Dancehall/Reggae fusion album released in 2001.- Track listing :# Prophecy [Intro] — 1:40# Man Ah Bad Man — 2:53# Chi-Chi Man — 3:24# Gimmi Da Muzik — 3:19...
as a hidden trackHidden trackIn the field of recorded music, a hidden track is a piece of music that has been placed on a CD, audio cassette, vinyl record or other recorded medium in such a way as to avoid detection by the casual listener...
. - A cover of the song by Morris DayMorris DayMorris E. Day is an American musician and composer. He is best known as the lead singer of The Time.-1970s and 1980s:...
(lead singer of The TimeThe Time (band)The Time is a funk and dance-pop ensemble formed in 1981. They are close Prince associates and arguably the most successful artists who have worked with him.-Prince, Formation and Success:...
) was included on The Haunted Mansion: Haunted Hits, the soundtrack album for the 2003 Walt Disney PicturesWalt Disney PicturesWalt Disney Pictures is an American film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios and the main production company for live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, based at the Walt Disney...
film The Haunted MansionThe Haunted Mansion (film)The Haunted Mansion is a 2003 American comedy horror family film which is based on The Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney theme parks. The film is directed by Rob Minkoff, and stars Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Jennifer Tilly, Marsha Thomason, and Nathaniel Parker...
. - Kidz Bop Kids covered this song on the 2004 album Kidz Bop Halloween.
- In 2005, Royal GigolosRoyal GigolosRoyal Gigolos were a German tech house duo, founded in 2003 by the DJ producer DJ Tyson and DJ Kosmonova. Before disbanding in 2008, the group released successful dance cover versions of songs including "California Dreamin'" and "No Milk Today".-Singles:...
recorded a pseudo-cover of the song which sampled the chorus but omitted the verses. - Finnish power metalPower metalPower metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band WarmenWarmenWarmen is a Finnish metal band assembled by keyboard player Janne Viljami Wirman - also known as Warman. Janne has been playing with Children of Bodom since 1997, and on the year of 2000 created a musical project focused on instrumental work, which would only have guest singers on a few selected...
included a cover of the song on their 2005 album Accept the FactAccept the FactAccept the Fact is the third studio album from power metal band Warmen. Like its predecessor, Beyond Abilities, the CD's name and title track are based on the movie Amadeus...
. Their version featured heavy metal singer Alexi LaihoAlexi LaihoAlexi "Wildchild" Laiho is a Finnish singer, composer, and guitarist. He is best known for being the lead guitarist as well as lead vocalist for melodic death metal band Children of Bodom, and he is also the guitarist for Sinergy and Kylähullut...
. - Florida alternative band Presence recorded a cover of the song in 2006.
- Nerdcore hip hopNerdcore hip hopNerdcore hip hop, is a sub-genre of hip hop music characterized by themes and subject matter considered to be of general interest to nerds, though it can appeal to others as well. Self-described nerdcore musician MC Frontalot has the earliest known recorded use of the term in the 2000 song...
artist Able-X covered the song for his 2007 album Cover Fire Volume 1. - Danish industrial metalIndustrial metalIndustrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
band Raunchy covered the song for their 2008 album Wasteland DiscothequeWasteland DiscothequeWasteland Discotheque is Danish band Raunchy's fourth album. It was released on June 30, 2008. The album is available to stream on Raunchy's .-Track list:# "This Blackout Is Your Apocalypse" - 2:20# "Somewhere Along the Road" - 4:12# "The Bash" - 4:41...
. - Electro music/hip hopHip hopHip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
artist/dj/producers, Mysto & Pizzi, recorded a cover of the song for a series of GeicoGEICOThe Government Employees Insurance Company is an auto insurance company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway that as of 2007 provided coverage for more than 10 million motor vehicles owned by more than 9 million policy holders. GEICO writes private passenger automobile insurance...
television commercials. Unlike in the original Rockwell version, in which the verses were rapped, Mysto & Pizzi's version is sung through the entire song. - Punk pop band The Get Go covered this song, and reposted it on their MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
as a tribute to Michael Jackson on July 1, 2009. - The Hit CrewThe Hit CrewDrew's Entertainment, also known as TUTM Entertainment, Inc., is a New Jersey record label that creates sound-alike and cover versions of songs. They began in 1994 as Turn Up The Music, Inc. and formerly had two labels — Drew's Famous Party Music and DJ's Choice — which were...
did a cover of the song for several Drew's Famous Party Music Halloween titles. - The song has ben covered on Youtube under the name of Gabe's Watching, referencing Valve CorporationValve CorporationValve Corporation is an American video game development and digital distribution company based in Bellevue, Washington, United States...
Managing Director Gabe NewellGabe NewellGabe Logan Newell is the co-founder and managing director of video game development and online distribution company Valve Corporation.-Work:...
.
Sampling
- TRU incorporated the lyrics and main melody of the chorus into their 1997 single "I Always Feel Like (Somebody's Watching Me)".
- ChristianChristianA Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
artist tobyMacTobyMacToby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
sampled the chorus for his song "Somebody's Watching" from his 2001 album Momentum. - In 2001, French hip hopHip hopHip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
group Fonky FamilyFonky FamilyLa Fonky Family are a French hip hop group from Marseille. They are composed of four rappers, Le Rat Luciano, Menzo, Don Choa and Sat, the producer Pone, DJ Djel, the dancer Blaze, the singer Karima, Flex Nandell, and manager Fafa.Fonky Family made their first appearance on the French hip hop...
sampled the song in "Art de Rue". - R&B artist CiaraCiaraCiara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
incorporated a portion of "Somebody's Watching Me" for her 2006 hit single "Get UpGet Up (Ciara song)"Get Up" is a song by American recording artist Ciara. Released on July 25, 2006, the song serves as the first single from the original soundtrack to the film Step Up , as well as the lead single for her second album, Ciara: The Evolution. It features American rapper Chamillionaire...
". - Hip hop group The Pack incorporates parts of the song, including the chorus, in their single "I'm Shinin'" from their 2007 album Based BoysBased BoysBased Boys is the debut album by Bay Area rap group The Pack. The album was released on October 30, 2007 by Jive Records.The street single off the album was titled "I Look Good".The first single off the album was titled "In My Car".- Music videos :...
. - In 2008, internet celebrityInternet celebrityAn Internet celebrity, cyberstar or online celebrity is someone who has become famous by means of the Internet. Such fame is based less upon raw numbers, as with traditional media...
Jeffree StarJeffree StarJeffree Star is an American model, fashion designer, make-up artist, DJ, and singer-songwriter residing in the Beverly Hills area...
used the chorus of the song in his own track "Starstruck" which features the band Danger RadioDanger RadioDanger Radio is an American rock band from Edmonds, Washington.-Formation:Danger Radio's lead vocalist and drummer met as middle schoolers, soon after adding Marvin Kunkel as bassist for talent shows and school gigs...
. - For the 2011 Cirque du SoleilCirque du SoleilCirque du Soleil , is a Canadian entertainment company, self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy...
show Michael Jackson: The Immortal World TourMichael Jackson: The Immortal World TourMichael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour is the official theatrical production by Cirque du Soleil which uses the music and vision of Michael Jackson along with Cirque du Soleil's signature acrobatic performance style to create a realistic concert experience. The arena show—which is very similar to...
the background vocals from this song found its way into a medley that included "Is It Scary", "Threatened", and "Thriller."
Appearances in other media
- It was featured in the pilot episode of the hit 80's TV show, Miami ViceMiami ViceMiami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
, where Detective Rico Tubbs (played by Philip Michael ThomasPhilip Michael ThomasPhilip Michael Thomas is an American actor. Thomas's most famous role is that of detective Ricardo Tubbs on the hit 1980s TV series Miami Vice. His first notable roles were in Coonskin and opposite Irene Cara in the 1976 film Sparkle...
), is seen lipsyncing it during a scene in a strip club. - The Mysto & Pizzi cover version was featured in a series of commercials for GEICOGEICOThe Government Employees Insurance Company is an auto insurance company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway that as of 2007 provided coverage for more than 10 million motor vehicles owned by more than 9 million policy holders. GEICO writes private passenger automobile insurance...
that began airing in December 2008 and throughout 2009. The campaign, created by The Martin AgencyThe Martin AgencyThe Martin Agency is an American advertising agency based in Richmond, Virginia that is now part of Interpublic Group of Companies.*Freecreditreport.com jingle since October 2007 starring Eric Violette.*"The money you could be saving with Geico"-Clients:...
, consisted of various advertisements in which people would happen upon KashGEICO ad campaignsGEICO's advertising campaign strategy incorporates a saturation-level amount of print and television parody advertisements, as well as radio advertisements...
, a stack of money with googly eyesGoogly eyesGoogly eyes or wiggly eyes are small plastic craft supplies used to imitate eyeballs. Googly eyes traditionally are composed of a clear, hard-plastic shell, with a smaller, black plastic disk trapped within. The plastic shells come in a variety of sizes ranging from 3/16" to over 3" diameter...
, while the song is played in the background. - The original song was used in a TV commercial for EA Sports' NHL 09, where the gamer is heard singing the chorus, changed slightly for comedic effect while gameplay footage is shown.
- The song was used as Number Four's ringtone in the film adaptation of I Am Number Four.
- The song was featured in the classic skateboarding film Round 2 Rodney Mullen vs. Daewon SongRodney Mullen vs. Daewon SongRodney Mullen vs. Daewon Song is a commercially successful skateboarding video series, featuring noted skateboarders Rodney Mullen and Daewon Song...
. - The song was also featured in the Halloween episode (4th episode overall) of the popular New Jersey College Radio Show "The Nonsense con Christina y Juan".