"Eyes of a Stranger" is a song by Payolas, written by Bob Rock and Paul Hyde and produced by Mick Ronson for the album No Stranger to Danger. It reached No. 4 on the Canadian RPM chart in August 1982. The song received a Juno award for Single of the Year.
Charts Chart (1982)PeakpositionAustralian Charts81Canadian RPM Singles Chart4US Top Rock Tracks22
Awards The song received multiple Juno awards, including Single of the Year.
Legacy The song appeared on the multi-artist compilation album Oh What a Feeling: A Vital Collection of Canadian Music and on the Valley Girl movie soundtrack, as well as on Between a Rock and a Hyde Place: The Best of Payola$. It was additionally used in the Miami Vice Season 4 episode "Badge of Dishonor" and in the 2026 film The Backrooms.
Two cover versions of the song have included recordings by P.O.D. on The Warriors EP, Volume 2 and by Dirty Ghosts. The Payolas' "Eyes of a Stranger" was included on The Georgia Straights 2017 list of the best 50 songs to come out of Vancouver.
Credits The song was written by Bob Rock and Paul Hyde. It was produced by Mick Ronson for the album No Stranger to Danger.
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