Near its inception, Sleeping At Last's amateur debut album, Capture, was noticed by Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, who helped expose the music to the major-label world. Soon after, the band signed to Interscope Records and released 2003's Ghosts , their first official full-length album. Two independently-released full-length records followed: 2006's Keep No Score and 2009's Storyboards . In between the writing and recording of albums, the band has established a reputation for a pitch-perfect live show, successfully headlining several U.S. tours and sharing the stage with such artists as Switchfoot, Yellowcard, Something Corporate, Billy Corgan's Zwan, Alanis Morrisette, Lifehouse, and Phantom Planet, just to name a few. The creative process has always been protected, as the band self-produced each record, working with respected mixers such as John Goodmanson and Alan Moulder.
After the departure of drummer Chad O'Neal in 2011, the remaining duo embarked on the ambitious Yearbook project, in which O'Neal and Perdue released three songs on the first of every month in individual EPs. After its completion, all EPs were compiled into an LP and published independently. However, upon the final release of the Yearbook series, Perdue stepped down from the duo, leaving Ryan O'Neal a solo artist under the group's pre-existing moniker.
On December 10, 2012, O'Neal announced his largest project to date: the Atlas series, a three-part project approaching the themes of the origins of the universe and human development. Similar to 2011's Yearbook compilation, each set of new songs would be released as individual EPs until each part's completion, at which time the compilation of songs would be released as an LP. Up to now, 2014's Atlas I and 2019's Atlas II remain as stellar examples of O'Neal's accomplishments as a solo independent artist. Production on Atlas III is in progress, and its first two songs, "Overture III" and "Awake" have been released as singles.
Besides the Atlas series, O'Neal has kept busy with other projects, including three albums of covers commissioned by ABC's "Grey's Anatomy", in which Sleeping At Last has appeared a whopping 77 times. Sleeping At Last also produced the scores for the documentaries Many Beautiful Things (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) and charity:water's The Spring (Original Score). Finally, O'Neal has released multiple singles surrounding significant astronomical events, published as a compilation in 2020 under the title of Astronomy, Vol. 1.
Sleeping At Last has long been a beacon shining brightly on behalf of independent artists. In the ever-changing climate of the music industry, the quest for a successful independent career seems evermore difficult to attain. From his new home in L.A., O'Neal pursues this challenge relentlessly through his commitment to musical integrity in his songwriting, and in this way nurtures a unique and personal relationship with his listeners. He has remained true to the things that brought him to music in the first place: his love of melody and the power of words. His music and lyrics emerge from a place that is honest, raw, and spiritual: Says Ryan, "Our faith is a big part of who we are, but we have always intended our music to be for anyone that cares to listen, no matter who they are or what they believe in. Everyone hears a song in a different light."
In keeping with this, Ryan's lyrics ask every important question that occurs. While he promises no fast, sure answers, he somehow always offers hope as the consistent, overarching theme.
Private Eyes
Sleeping at Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch you blurring the lines when you're making a scene
Oh girl, you've gotta know what my head overlooks
The senses will show to my heart
When it's watching for lies you can't escape my.
Private eyes, they're watching you
They see your every move
Private eyes, they're watching you, watching you, watching you
You play with words, you play with luck
You can twist it around, I've had enough cause girl
I've gotta know if you're letting me in or letting me go
Don't lie when you're hurting inside
Cause you can't escape my.
Private eyes, they're watching you
They see your every move
Private eyes, they're watching you
Private eyes, they're watching you, watching you, watching you
Private eyes, they're watching you
They see your every move
Private eyes, they're watching you
Private eyes, they're watching you, watching you, watching you
The song Private Eyes by Sleeping At Last explores the theme of being vigilant and cautious in relationships. The lyrics describe how the singer is fully aware of their partner's behavior and cannot be easily fooled. The first verse emphasizes how the singer can see through their partner's facade and how their senses can detect the presence of lies. The second verse describes how the partner is not straightforward with their intentions, which creates confusion for the singer, and leads to doubt and suspicion.
The chorus "Private eyes, they're watching you" is repeated throughout the song and highlights the theme of being closely observed. The lyrics suggest that the singer is monitoring their partner's actions and words, and nothing goes unnoticed. The song highlights the importance of trust and transparency in a relationship, and how dishonesty can break even the strongest of bonds.
Overall, Sleeping At Last's song Private Eyes is a powerful reminder that relationships require effort, honesty, and trust. The song's lyrics emphasize the importance of open communication and transparency and how important it is to work towards building a relationship with integrity and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you, you see me
Both of us can see each other and our actions.
Watch you blurring the lines when you're making a scene
I observe you distorting the facts when you become emotional and restless.
Oh girl, you've gotta know what my head overlooks
You need to understand what I miss or ignore due to my lack of attention or information.
The senses will show to my heart
My emotions can sense when something doesn't feel right or truthful.
When it's watching for lies you can't escape my.
If my heart detects deception, you cannot avoid my judgment or scrutiny.
Private eyes, they're watching you
There are people who observe your behavior discreetly and persistently.
They see your every move
Those private eyes monitor all your actions and words.
You play with words, you play with luck
You manipulate language and events to your advantage or interest.
You can twist it around, I've had enough cause girl
You can distort the truth, but I refuse to accept any more of your deception.
I've gotta know if you're letting me in or letting me go
I need to understand if you're opening up to me or rejecting me.
Don't lie when you're hurting inside
Don't deceive me when you're in pain or struggling emotionally.
Cause you can't escape my.
Your attempts to hide or deceive me won't succeed.
Contributed by Avery H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
aurora popa
I see you, you see me
Watch you blurring the lines when you're making a scene
Oh girl, you've gotta know what my head overlooks
The senses will show to my heart
When it's watching for lies you can't escape my..
Private eyes, they're watching you
They see your every move
Private eyes, they're watching you
Private eyes, they're watching you, watching you, watching you
You play with words, you play with luck
You can twist it around, I've had enough cause girl
I've gotta know if you're letting me in or letting me go
Don't lie when you're hurting inside
Cause you can't escape my..
Private eyes, they're watching you
They see your every move
Private eyes, they're watching you
Private eyes, they're watching you, watching you, watching you
Sinita Tatum
This is my favorite song now.! I heard it on Grey's Anatomy and fell in love with it instantly... Thank you for being so beautiful and creative with your cover.
aurora popa
I see you, you see me
Watch you blurring the lines when you're making a scene
Oh girl, you've gotta know what my head overlooks
The senses will show to my heart
When it's watching for lies you can't escape my..
Private eyes, they're watching you
They see your every move
Private eyes, they're watching you
Private eyes, they're watching you, watching you, watching you
You play with words, you play with luck
You can twist it around, I've had enough cause girl
I've gotta know if you're letting me in or letting me go
Don't lie when you're hurting inside
Cause you can't escape my..
Private eyes, they're watching you
They see your every move
Private eyes, they're watching you
Private eyes, they're watching you, watching you, watching you
jen ً??
Thank you sm ✨
Tripping Crutch
One of the few covers that equals or surpasses the original. I grew up listening to the original and still love it but....this...is.....whoa!
Harrison Chapman
+Tripping Crutch so do some of their other covers. look for 500 miles, or for total eclipse of the heart
PRIESTESSHEAVEN GMT
Love this!!!
colorloverr
I love yang she is my favorite character, she will always be my favorite on Grey's Anatomy!
Torimcangel
This song was on a playlist made for the book A Court of Mist and Fury. I love the book and this song goes so well with the story.
JP Emerson
I love that greys anatomy uses a lot of their songs
Sarah Liomain
I love this version ! 😃