Nobody Sees
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"Nobody Sees" is a song by
Powderfinger Powderfinger were an Australian Rock music, rock band formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their break-up in 2010, the line-up consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bass guitarist John Collins ...
from their sixth album ''
Dream Days at the Hotel Existence ''Dream Days at the Hotel Existence'' is the sixth studio album by Australian music, Australian Rock music, rock band Powderfinger, released by Universal Music on 2 June 2007 in Australia, 19 November 2007 in the United Kingdom, and 11 November ...
''. It is the third single from the album and was released in Australia on 1 December 2007. The announcement that it would be released as a single came at the same time as releasing the
music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...
to the internet on the official
Universal Records Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Netherlands, Dutch–United States, American multinational Music industry, music corporation under Law of the Netherlands, ...
website. Despite positive critical response, the song peaked at 51 on the
ARIA Singles Chart The ARIA Charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling songs and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA became the offici ...
.


Background

"Nobody Sees" was recorded by Powderfinger for their 2007 album ''Dream Days at the Hotel Existence'' at Sunset Sound Studio,
Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
,
California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
, in early 2007 with producer
Rob Schnapf Rob Schnapf is an American record producer. He was the co-producer (along with Tom Rothrock) of Elliott Smith's albums '' Either/Or'', '' XO'' (on which he also played guitar on the song " Baby Britain"), '' Figure 8'' and ''From a Basement o ...
. In an interview with Jay and the Doctor on
Triple J Triple J is an Australian government-funded national radio station founded in 1975 as a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). It aims to appeal to young listeners of alternative music, and plays far more Australian conten ...
in November 2007, Fanning noted that the song is a "bookend" to Powderfinger's early breakout single " Pick You Up" from ''
Double Allergic ''Double Allergic'' is the second studio album by Australian alternative rock band (music), band Powderfinger. Released in Australia on 2 September 1996 Polydor Records, Polydor, the album was produced by Tim Whitten and widely considered Powder ...
''. He goes on to note that "It's 'who's going to pick you up now?'. Cause I'm not doing it any more." Fanning also noted that he considers the song a "spacey ballad". Though the band had previously released songs featuring piano, they had decided for this album to record with session pianist
Benmont Tench Benjamin Montmorency "Benmont" Tench III (born September 7, 1953) is an American musician and singer, and a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Early years Tench was born in Gainesville, Florida, the second child of Benjamin M ...
, who previously had played for
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were an American rock band formed in Gainesville, Florida, in 1976. The band originally comprised lead singer and rhythm guitarist Tom Petty, lead guitarist Mike Campbell, keyboardist Benmont Tench, drummer ...
, who were one of the inspirations of the album. This was in contrast to previous efforts where piano parts had been performed by Fanning or local Australian pianists. Despite Tench's performance on the song, Fanning appears in the music video as playing piano.


Release

The single for "Nobody Sees" was officially released on 1 December 2007 in Australia. This was announced on 16 November 2007, only two weeks prior to its release. The single was released only to the iTunes Store as a three-song EP including the studio version of the song, a live version of the song and another song from ''Dream Days at the Hotel Existence''.


Music video

The music video for "Nobody Sees" features the entire line-up of Powderfinger in shot in the dark at nighttime with the Melbourne cityscape in the background. The group's lead vocalist,
Bernard Fanning Bernard Joseph Fanning (born 15 August 1969) is an Australian musician and singer-songwriter. He was the lead vocalist of Queensland alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989. Born and raised in Toowong, Brisbane, Fanning ...
, who in all previous recordings would play keyboards and piano parts, did not record any of these parts for ''Dream Days at the Hotel Existence'', as these duties were fulfilled by
Benmont Tench Benjamin Montmorency "Benmont" Tench III (born September 7, 1953) is an American musician and singer, and a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Early years Tench was born in Gainesville, Florida, the second child of Benjamin M ...
. Though Tench performed the keyboard in the recording of the song, Fanning appears at the keyboard in the music video. The scenes of the band playing are intercut with video shots of a
do-it-yourself "Do it yourself" ("DIY") is the method of building, modifying, or repairing things by oneself without the direct aid of professionals or certified experts. Academic research has described DIY as behaviors where "individuals use raw and semi- ...
carwash, and five shots of people by themselves. These people are all initially shown being still then as the video progresses, the people are shown performing highly energetic actions in
slow motion Slow motion (commonly abbreviated as slow-mo or slo-mo) is an effect in film-making whereby time appears to be slowed down. It was invented by the Austrian priest August Musger in the early 20th century. This can be accomplished through the use ...
. The actions shown include running, falling and jumping. There are instances through
Ian Haug Ian Haug (born 21 February 1970) is an Australian musician and the lead guitarist, songwriter, and backing vocalist in the rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 until its breakup in 2010. He is presently a member of The Church. Po ...
's guitar solo where John Collins' bass guitar and
Darren Middleton Darren Middleton (born 4 October 1971) is an Australian musician, best known as lead guitarist and songwriter for alternative rock band Powderfinger. He was also lead singer/songwriter for Drag; his current solo tour is 'Splinters', a follow- ...
's electric guitar are also shown in close-up and slow motion.


Critical response

''
PerthNow ''The Sunday Times'' is a tabloid Sunday newspaper published by Seven West Media, in Perth and distributed throughout Western Australia. Founded as ''The West Australian Sunday Times'', it was renamed ''The Sunday Times'' from 30 March 1902. ...
'' reporter Jay Hanna called "Nobody Sees" "Powderfinger at their devastating best" in his ''Dream Days at the Hotel Existence'' review, commending its overall impact on the album. Clayton Bolger of
Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
agreed, calling the song "wondrous" and praising Tench's piano work on it. The song was labeled an "AMG Track Pick". '' Herald Sun HiT'' reviewer Cameron Adams agreed, also commenting that the song was an excellent reminder "of Fanning’s prowess as a rock vocalist". ''Mess + Noise'' reviewer Andrew Ramadge notes that "Nobody Sees" is validated by ''Dream Days at the Hotel Existence's'' controversial track " Black Tears", stating that it "would otherwise seem like the usual lovelorn crap utcan’t help but take on a different meaning in the shadow of "Black Tears"." Shah Xerxes from ''Fasterlouder'' comments that the song is a "heartbreak-inspired and sugary love ballad", noting the songs sadness by referring to it as "an intensely moody number reserved for sadder moments where a little reflection and perspective is required." UK reviewer Mike Rea from ''Contact Music'' noted "Nobody Sees" as a "standout song" from the album, which on the whole he rated 8/10. Sputnikmusic contributor James Bishop was less enthusiastic about the song, noting that it wasn't dissimilar to past Powderfinger works, although noting that it utilized "the variety and flexibility the band is capable of."


Track listing

The track listing for the "Nobody Sees" single is listed with iTunes Store as being an EP, though includes only three songs, beginning with the studio version of the song. The second track is the live performance of the song taken from their ''
Across the Great Divide tour The Across the Great Divide tour was a concert tour by Australian alternative rock bands Powderfinger and Silverchair in 2007. The tour featured concerts in 26 towns across Australia and multiple shows in New Zealand. According to Powderfinger ...
'' performance at the
Brisbane Powerhouse The Brisbane Powerhouse is a performing arts and cultural centre which is housed in a former power station in the Brisbane suburb of New Farm in Queensland, Australia. The venue offers an array of live performances, visual art displays, exhibit ...
in October 2007, and the final track, "Wishing on the Same Moon", is also from the Powerhouse performance, and also originally from ''Dream Days at the Hotel Existence''. # "Nobody Sees" – 4:12 # "Nobody Sees" (live) – 4:38 # "Wishing on the Same Moon" (live) – 5:53


Personnel


Charts


References

{{Authority control 2007 singles Powderfinger songs 2007 songs Universal Records singles Songs written by Jon Coghill Songs written by John Collins (Australian musician) Songs written by Bernard Fanning Songs written by Ian Haug Songs written by Darren Middleton