"Private Eyes" Quotes
Shmoop will make you a better lover...of quotes
ALL QUOTES POPULAR BROWSE BY AUTHOR BROWSE BY SOURCE BROWSE BY TOPIC BROWSE BY SUBJECT
Source: "Private Eyes"
Speaker: Hall and Oates
Private eyes. They're watching you. They see your every move.
Context
This line is from the song "Private Eyes" by Hall and Oates, from the album Private Eyes (1981).
Whoa, these lyrics look a little stalker-y when you read them on a page. However, this classic '80s hit isn't really about stalking. It's basically using the whole cloak-and-dagger detective thing as a metaphor for a relationship. Check out the video and see just how much Mr. Hall and Mr. Oates commit to their detective theme by donning trench coats and shades.
Have to say, though, that '80s mustache does look pretty stalker-y. Or is it hipster-y? We get those confused.
Where you've heard it
You can hear Hall and Oates singing this line on all kinds of detective/spy shows. Yeah, sometimes those TV guys aren't so creative with their song picks. The song is used twice on Chuck, once on a Goofy cartoon, and on an episode of Psych.
And as if there weren't enough detective shows that used this song, the lyric also pops up on Veronica Mars, when PI Vinnie Van Lowe sings it.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Creepy? Yes. Pretentious? No.