Playing lead guitar and bass, respectively, Rundgren and Van Osten were joined by drummer Thom Mooney (formerly of the Munchkins) and lead vocalist/keyboardist Stewkey (born Robert Antoni). Nazz had their first gig in July 1967, landing an opening slot at a Doors concert. By September, the group received some financial support from the local record store Bartoff & Warfield, who also put them in touch with John Kurland, a record promoter who was looking for a guitar pop band. Kurland took a shine to Nazz and signed on as their manager. Throughout the fall, they practiced in their new home base of Great Neck, New York. Kurland and his associate, Michael Friedman, prevented the band from gigging regularly, believing that a lack of performances would increase demand for the group. The managers were convinced that Nazz could be marketed as a sharp, stylish boy band for the teenybopper audience, and helped the quartet members to refashion themselves in that mode.
With a wardrobe of clothes and an album's worth of material ready, Kurland and Friedman had Nazz sign with SGC Records -- an offshoot of Atlantic Records and Columbia-Screen Gems -- in the summer of 1968. Their debut album, Nazz, appeared in October, supported by the single "Hello It's Me." Although the song would later become a major hit for Rundgren as a solo artist, the dirgey original version barely scraped the national charts, largely due to mismanagement. The managers wanted that Nazz played only large halls, which was virtually impossible for an unknown, unproven band with a newly released debut album. As a result, most of the group's publicity was limited to glamour shots and puff pieces in teen mags. Ironically, many of the articles emphasized the band's "electrifying" live performances.
"Hello It's Me" managed to reach number 71 on the charts, and the record -- particularly the Nazz's self-production of "Open My Eyes" and "Hello It's Me" -- attracted some good notices. Taking this as a cue, Nazz headed to England to cut their second album, but they became embroiled in work visa problems. Undaunted, they returned to America and began work on an ambitious self-produced double album named Fungo Bat. By the time it was released in April 1969, it was trimmed to a single album and titled Nazz Nazz. Although the project's scale was diminished, the music remained dizzyingly diverse, as the record ran the gamut from psychedelic rockers to pop ballads. One problem emerged, however. In the process of editing, much of Rundgren's newer, Laura Nyro-influenced material -- which he had sung himself -- was left on the shelves. Neither the management nor his bandmates gave Rundgren much encouragement to sing, nor was his new introspective direction warmly received by his colleagues. Faced with a no-win situation, Rundgren left the group not long after their summer 1969 tour; by that time, Van Osten had already departed the band.
Stewkey took control of the Nazz, erased Rundgren's vocals from the album sitting in the vaults, and replaced them with his own. The result was released as Nazz III in 1970, but it stiffed. Mooney departed the group, later to play with such bands as the Curtis Brothers, Tattoo, and Paris. Stewkey joined Fuse, an Anglophile power pop group featuring future Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen. Mooney also played with Fuse, but left before Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson joined and the group became Sick Man of Europe.
Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Open My Eyes
Nazz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The haze I'm wandering around in
I am lost in the dark of my own room
And I can't see a thing but the fire in your eyes
Clear my eyes, make me wise
Or is all I believe in lies
I really don't know when or where to go
I've been told by some you'll forget me
The thought doesn't upset me
I am blind to whatever they're saying
And all I can see is the fire in your eyes
Can't believe that it's on your mind
To leave me behind
The lyrics of Nazz's song "Open My Eyes" explore the profound effect that someone's gaze can have on a person. The singer of the song confesses to feeling lost and wandering around aimlessly until he is under the gaze of someone else. This person is able to lift the haze that surrounds the singer and bring clarity to his thoughts. However, the singer is unsure whether what he believes in is true or not. He feels lost and uncertain about where to go until the person opens his eyes.
The song is a powerful representation of the way in which someone's presence can be transformative. The idea that someone else can bring clarity to our own lives is a poignant one. The song also explores the theme of belief and how it can be challenged. The singer is unsure whether what he believes in is true or not, and this uncertainty is further compounded by the fact that without the other person, he cannot see clearly.
Overall, "Open My Eyes" is a song that explores the transformative power of another person's gaze, the uncertainty that can come with belief, and the importance of clarity in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Underneath your gaze I was found in
Your attention helped me discover myself
The haze I'm wandering around in
I'm lost and unsure
I am lost in the dark of my own room
I'm struggling to find my way
And I can't see a thing but the fire in your eyes
Your passion is the only light in my life
Clear my eyes, make me wise
Help me see clearly and understand better
Or is all I believe in lies
I'm questioning everything I know
I really don't know when or where to go
I'm lost and looking for direction
And I can't see a thing 'til you open my eyes
I need your help to see the path ahead
I've been told by some you'll forget me
Some say you'll leave me behind
The thought doesn't upset me
I'm not bothered by their words
I am blind to whatever they're saying
Their words don't affect me
And all I can see is the fire in your eyes
All I focus on is my love for you
Can't believe that it's on your mind
I can't believe you're considering leaving
To leave me behind
To abandon me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TODD RUNDGREN, TODD HARRY RUNDGREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bo-berry1048
Underneath your gaze I was found in
The haze I'm wandering around in
I am lost in the dark of my own room
And I can't see a thing but the fire in your eyes
Clear my eyes, make me wise
Or is all I believe in lies
I really don't know when or where to go
And I can't see a thing 'til you open my eyes
I've been told by some you'll forget me
The thought doesn't upset me
I am blind to whatever they're saying
And all I can see is the fire in your eyes
Can't believe that it's on your mind
To leave me behind
@countrypaul
First outing for Todd Rundgren and one of the all-time power pop genius songs. It still sounds fresh, exciting and fired up 54 years later.
@Itelkner
Perfect description, Paul
@thisgirlridesshotgun3092
10 years old...1968 was a great year...we grew up with REAL MUSIC
@user-qo2lx1no5z
Still love this song! With Todd and I in our 70s and still going strong! â€
@scottbohe7006
That fuzz guitar riff is superb!! Loved this song for over 50 years because of that guitar.
@jimh3267
Should have been a big hit and a staple of classic rock.
@walterfechter8080
Forget an alarm clock. I wake up to this tune. I might feel lousy getting up in the morning, but this tune jump-starts my day in such a groovy way! When I was a travelling disc jockey (remember them?) I'd start each night's festivities with this mind-blowing number. Thanks to Little Steven's Underground Garage for keeping this kind of sound alive in the 21st century.
@hughbarton5743
Beyond spectacular.
Look out, world.
Here comes Todd.
@walterfechter8080
"It's time to paint the sky and blow your mind." -- What I said to some friends when I first cued up this one for them.
@prodteague
The production on this song was YEARS ahead of it's time. Shame they didn't get more attention than they did