Somebody's Watching Me

The song 'Somebody's Watching Me' by Rockwell, which famously features Michael Jackson on the chorus, taps into a universal feeling of paranoia and the fear of being constantly observed. Despite the upbeat tempo and catchy hook sung by Jackson, the lyrics convey a sense of anxiety and invasion of privacy that the protagonist experiences. The song's narrator describes himself as an average person with a routine life, yet he feels as though he is constantly being watched, likening his unease to the sensation of being a character in 'The Twilight Zone,' a television series known for its eerie and often paranoid storylines.

The lyrics also reference cultural touchstones such as the film 'Psycho,' which amplifies the sense of paranoia by drawing a parallel between the everyday act of showering and the infamous shower scene from the movie. This connection suggests that the fear of being watched can infiltrate even the most private and mundane aspects of life. The mention of the IRS at the end of the song adds another layer to the theme, hinting at the anxiety over surveillance by government entities and the loss of personal privacy in society.

Overall, 'Somebody's Watching Me' resonates with listeners because it encapsulates the feeling of vulnerability in a world where privacy is increasingly scarce. The song's enduring popularity may be attributed to its relatable lyrics and the way it captures the zeitgeist of an era where technology and surveillance were becoming more pervasive, a theme that remains relevant in today's digital age.