Somebody's Watching Me
Michael Jackson / Rockwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me who's watching.
Who's watching me?
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
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
And I have no privacy.
Woh, I always feel like somebody's watching me.
Tell me is it just a dream?
When I come home at night.
I bolt the door real tight.
People call me on the phone I'm trying to avoid.
Well, can the people on T.V. 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. . .
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
And I have no privacy.
Woh, I always feel like somebody's watching me.
Who's playing tricks on me?
Who's watching me?
I don't know anymore . . . are the neighbors watching
Who's watching?
Well, it's the mailman watching me: and I don't feel safe anymore.
Tell me who's watching.
Oh, what a mess. I wonder who's watching me now,
(WHO?) the I.R.S.?
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
And I have no privacy.
Woh, I always feel like somebody's watching me.
Who's playing tricks on me?
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
And I have no privacy.
Woh, I always feel like somebody's watching me.
I can't enjoy my tea.
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
I want my privacy.
Woh, I always feel like somebody's watching me.
Woh, I always feel like somebody's watching me.
Stop playing tricks on me
Woh, I always feel like somebody's watching me.
The song "Somebody's Watching Me" by Michael Jackson's protégé Rockwell is about the paranoia that comes with feeling watched and having no privacy. The singer, an average man with an average life who works from nine to five, feels like he's constantly being watched or surveilled. He wants to be left alone in his average home, but he always feels like he's in the Twilight Zone. Throughout the song, he wonders if he is paranoid or if someone is actually watching him, and he explores the different scenarios in which he might be watched, such as when he comes home, when he's on the phone, or when he's in the shower.
The lyrics suggest that the singer feels like he's being watched by a variety of sources, such as his neighbors, the mailman, and even the IRS. He is afraid to wash his hair or open his eyes in the shower because he might find someone standing there. The paranoia is palpable throughout the song, with its repetitive chorus and eerie synthesizers. Toward the end of the song, the singer demands to know who is watching him, and he pleads for privacy. However, the song ends with the same haunting chorus as before, suggesting that the paranoia has not abated.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's watching?
Who is monitoring my movements?
Tell me who's watching.
Please provide me with the identity of the individual or group that is observing me.
Who's watching me?
Who are the people looking at me when I think nobody is watching?
I'm just an average man, with an average life.
I am an ordinary individual living a standard, unexceptional existence.
I work from nine to five; hey hell, I pay the price.
I have a regular job with standard working hours, and I face the consequences of my choices in life.
All I want is to be left alone in my average home;
I wish for nothing more than privacy in my regular house.
But why do I always feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone, and
For some mysterious reason, I often find myself in a state of confusion and distress similar to that of the science-fiction TV show The Twilight Zone.
I always feel like somebody's watching me.
I have a constant suspicion that an unknown party is keeping tabs on my actions.
And I have no privacy.
I feel like I am unable to have any personal space or alone time.
Woh, I always feel like somebody's watching me.
I am continually under the impression that someone is observing my behavior, even without evidence.
Tell me is it just a dream?
Is this sensation of surveillance merely a figment of my imagination?
When I come home at night.
Upon arriving at my house late in the day.
I bolt the door real tight.
I secure my entryway with extreme caution.
People call me on the phone I'm trying to avoid.
Individuals attempt to contact me through my phone, even though I wish to be left alone.
Well, can the people on T.V. see me.
Is it possible for individuals on the television screen to view me within my home?
Or am I just paranoid?
Perhaps my distrust is irrational and not supported by fact.
When I'm in the shower.
While I am cleaning my body with water.
I'm afraid to wash my hair.
I am apprehensive about putting shampoo on my head.
'Cause I might open my eyes
As it is conceivable that when I open my eyes
And find someone standing there.
I might see someone present within the washroom that I did not expect.
People say I'm crazy.
Others have referred to me as insane.
Just a little touched.
As though I have only been lightly touched by madness.
But maybe showers remind me of
It is possible that my fear of showers is a result of me being reminded of something.
"Psycho" too much.
The film "Psycho" has influenced my perception of showers to the point of irrationality.
That's why. . .
In explanation of why I am apprehensive towards showering,
Who's playing tricks on me?
Which person or group is intentionally messing with me for entertainment purposes?
I don't know anymore . . . are the neighbors watching
I am uncertain about who may be observing me, specifically whether or not it could be my neighbors.
Who's watching?
Who is responsible for keeping track of my actions?
Well, it's the mailman watching me: and I don't feel safe anymore.
The postman is the person who is keeping tabs on me, and I am now uncomfortable.
Oh, what a mess. I wonder who's watching me now,
The situation I find myself in is highly problematic, and I am curious as to who may now be monitoring me.
(WHO?) the I.R.S.?
Is it possible that the Internal Revenue Service is the entity responsible for watching me?
I can't enjoy my tea.
Due to my constant suspicion of surveillance, I am unable to relax and enjoy a cup of tea.
I want my privacy.
I highly value my personal space and the ability to be alone.
Stop playing tricks on me
Please cease your attempts at deceit or amusing me at my expense.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@puffpuffpassmako
Fun Fact: Michael denied his involvement in this song for YEARS since he was at the peak of his career and didn't want to hog all the limelight from Rockwell. That's why he doesn't appear in the music video or have his name mentioned in ANY of the song's titles or credits. He wanted it kept secret so Rockwell's career could take off. This song became a hit of Rockwell's and MJ didn't take a single ounce of credit for it. Absolute respect for MJ
@kagebuckets2197
Word but he can’t hide from us
@bellaangelo8064
Yea cuz its not mj i know the real singer
@Zanatos9
That explains it. I came to see if he did a cameo. Interesting.
@mackjeez
Absolutely wrong, where do you get your facts from?
Rockwell's father is Berry Gordy, he wrote many hit songs for The Jackson 5, Rockwell's sister Hazel was married to Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine at the time.
The truth is that Rockwell recorded a 3 track demo, he showed it to his father and the reply was pretty much don't quit your day job. When Rockwell was signed 6 months later to Motown his dad was pissed off.
Rockwell was close to Jermain not Michael because of the close familly ties through marriage, Jermaine had invited him over to the Jackson house for dinner, Rockwell stated his mission was to ask Jermaine to do the background vocals and chorus, after the meal was over the only person left in the dining room was Michael , so Rockwell asked him if he would listen to his new demo in order to get some pointers, he then proceeded sing it, Michael was so amazed he called the rest of familly to listen to it, Michael then coincidentally suggested to him that he needed background vocals and asked him if he had anyone in mind, Rockwell jokingly said to Michael "why don't you do it", Michael accepted and even recruited Jermaine.
As for why Michael and Jermaine where not credited that has nothing to do with Michael but Motown. Michal was suppose to be credited but Motown decided not to promote Rockwell’s relationship to his father or Michael, so they would release the track but without credit to the Jacksons, they would also tell Rockwell not to say his real name and never state that he's the son of Berry Gordy. They even made Rockwell have a fake English accent when speaking public since they did not want people associating him especially with his father. Motown was pretty much protecting their ass. One year later it came out that Michael was on the track and Rockwell was Gordy's son, it was major backlash, as the media called him a fake artist and that he got famous through familly connections, that was the end of his career.
@bellaangelo8064
Wrong
@jojoduck757
Michael: I don't want to take the credit, so pretend im not in it.
Also Michael: HEE HEE HEE (3:02)
@santacollins5325
😆💜
@sarararaxx
King of pop forever 😭
@clifbar8628
Lmfao 🤣😅
Awww Michael.😅