Jas Mann had formerly been in an indie music band, called The Sandkings, which he left in 1992, because of musical differences.
Babylon Zoo was signed to Phonogram Records after A&R rep Clive Black heard their first three-track demo tape in May 1993. When Black moved to Warner Bros. Records in 1993, he took Mann's contract with him. An album had been prepared and sleeves for a single, "Fire Guided Light", were printed, but Babylon Zoo's debut was put on hold again when Black moved once more to EMI in 1995, where the band were signed on to a seven-album contract.
However, promotional copies of the song "Spaceman" had already been distributed, and chosen to tie in with the release of a new Levi's jeans TV advert. The single went straight to Number 1 on the UK singles chart and also went to Number 1 in the single charts in twenty-three countries.
An album entitled The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes was produced at Mann's New Atlantis Productions music/artwork/video centre. It was released in 1996 and included new-age tracks such as "Is Your Soul for Sale?" and "I'm Cracking Up I Need a Pill". It debuted at #6 on the album charts and reached the Top 20 in 17 countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
In 1997, Jas Mann was lampooned on the channel 4 TV series, Brass Eye.
Three years later, in 1999, a follow-up album was released entitled King Kong Groover, but Mann decided not to promote the album as he was not getting support from his label EMI since the departure of the man who had signed him, Clive Black. Mann subsequently decided to move to India and work for an aid agency.
Years active 1992–2000
The Boy With the X-Ray Eyes
Babylon Zoo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Entertainment was low in my home
My vicious eyes; what is love?
Is it something inside my brain
Love, oh it's driving us all insane
The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes
It's not a surprise
Nothing really matters to him
Spies, looking into my window
I watch
Spies, they're watching us tonight
The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes
It's not a surprise
I see through your lies
With my bionic eyes
I see through your mind
With my bionic, bionic
I see through your lies with my bionic eyes
Bionic, bionic, bionic eyes
The lyrics of Babylon Zoo's song The Boy With the X-Ray Eyes are rather enigmatic and open to interpretation. The first line refers to an invitation to dance on the floor, which could represent a desire to escape from his mundane home environment. The second line suggests that entertainment was low in his home, which could show that he looks elsewhere for excitement. The singer's eyes are described as being "vicious," which could means that he has an intense, almost painful way of seeing things. He then asks, "What is love?" which could suggest that he is confused about or has not experienced genuine love before. He wonders if it is just a figment of his imagination or a chemical reaction in his brain, something intangible that can not be explained. The line "Love, oh it's driving us all insane" could imply that love is something that humans crave uncontrollably but can never quite understand, leading them to madness.
The chorus repeats several times throughout the song and centers around the boy with the x-ray eyes. It is not a surprise, he seems indifferent to the events happening around him, as nothing really matters to him. The spying theme could have a literal or metaphorical meaning. Perhaps, the boy is being watched because of his unique ability to see through things, which could make others feel uncomfortable. Alternatively, it could signify the boy feeling like he is constantly being watched and scrutinized, like he does not benefit from any privacy. He sees more than the average person and this might make him feel further alienated from others. With his bionic eyes, he sees through people's lies and even into their minds. He is more advanced, detached, and inquisitive than everyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
An invitation to dance on the floor
The song begins by inviting the listener to dance and let loose, setting the tone for what's to come.
Entertainment was low in my home
The singer reminisces about a time when there wasn't much to keep them entertained at home, hinting that they had to look for excitement and stimulation elsewhere.
My vicious eyes; what is love?
The singer describes themselves as having 'vicious' or intense eyes, and questions the concept of love and what it really means.
Is it something inside my brain
The singer wonders if love is just a figment of their imagination, or if it's something that they feel on a deeper, unconscious level.
Love, oh it's driving us all insane
The singer suggests that love can be both wonderful and maddening, and that it can have a powerful effect on people's emotions and mental states.
The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes
The titular character of the song, who has supernatural vision that allows them to see things others can't.
It's not a surprise
The singer seems resigned to the fact that the Boy with the X-Ray Eyes exists, and that their abilities are a given.
Nothing really matters to him
The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes is perhaps portrayed as jaded or apathetic in regards to the world around him, since he can see everything and nothing is a mystery or surprise.
Spies, looking into my window
The lyrics take a turn towards paranoia and intrigue, with the singer describing spies who are watching them through a window.
I watch
The singer is aware of being spied on, and is watching the spies in return.
Spies, they're watching us tonight
The song's tone becomes more ominous and suspenseful, as the spies' presence is felt more strongly.
I see through your lies
The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes presumably has the ability to see through people's deceptions and falsehoods, something that the singer states matter-of-factly.
With my bionic eyes
The X-Ray Eyes aren't explained as supernatural or magical, but are given a sci-fi gloss with the term 'bionic'. This furthers the song's sense of intrigue and surrealism.
I see through your mind
The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes' abilities extend to being able to 'see' into other people's thoughts, another facet of their power.
With my bionic, bionic
The repetition of the word 'bionic' emphasizes the character's otherworldly nature and hints at a potential connection to science fiction or technology.
I see through your lies with my bionic eyes
The singer once again underscores the Boy with the X-Ray Eyes' power, making it clear that they can easily see through people's dishonesty.
Bionic, bionic, bionic eyes
The song ends on a refrain of the term 'bionic eyes', which reinforces the character's unique and enigmatic abilities.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JASBINDER MANN SINGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NIGHT 4 - OFFBEAT WONDER
I loved this album so much as a teen. I was 14 when 'Spaceman' was on Mtv. Such a nostalgia! So nice to listen to it after so many years..Amazing album!!
Collette Post
17
Tymon the Łajza
13 ; ]
acolyte71
@Riot Pay 10
Peter Anundsson
@YiYaEmperor I have listened to it now 2020-07-03!
Peter Anundsson
@Gosia Słowik it's no wrong whide that! To be different is to not think inside the box! But outside the box. And if you are different people will notice you for that!
Ed Plays
Tracklist:Animal Army: 0:00Spaceman: 5:55Zodiac Sign: 11:36Paris Green: 16:34Confused Art: 21:18Caffeine: 25:48The Boy With The X-Ray Eyes: 32:23Don't Feed The Animals: 36:50Fire Guided Light: 38:29Is You Soul For Sale?: 45:10I'm Cracking Up I Need A Pill: 51:01
Alick Friedman
Used to be played in repeat!
Toma Cristian
Great stuff! Thx!
Ian
The 90s had a magic that can't be replicated