The Payolas' 1982 Juno-winning hit 'Eyes of a Stranger' has found new life in the blockbuster film 'Backrooms,' which has grossed more than $277 million worldwide since its release last month. The song appears early in the movie, set in the 1990s, and singer Paul Hyde says the placement was a fortunate surprise.
How the song landed in 'Backrooms'
Months before the film's release, Hyde received a call informing him that the track would be featured on the soundtrack. 'Backrooms,' directed by Kane Parsons and based on his viral YouTube series, follows a furniture store owner who discovers a labyrinth of yellow-walled rooms beneath his shop. The film has become a sleeper hit, earning over $15 million in Canada alone, making it the highest-grossing release for Elevation Pictures.
Hyde, now 71, learned of the inclusion from a mutual contact connected to the production. 'He just went for it. We found out from someone who knows us who's connected to the film. They phoned us and said, "Hey, Eyes is going to be in this movie." It was fantastic,' Hyde said in an interview. His wife had recognized Parsons' YouTube shorts, which had amassed millions of views, hinting at the film's potential.
A song with its own life
'Eyes of a Stranger' previously appeared in an episode of 'Miami Vice' and the 1983 Nicolas Cage film 'Valley Girl.' Hyde noted the song's enduring appeal: 'Eyes of a Stranger has been a cool thing for us because it just has its own life. It goes on its own trip.' He praised the film's eerie atmosphere, saying, 'I liked the extreme creepiness. I thought it was different. I really enjoyed it.'
Despite the film's success, Hyde is not expecting significant royalties. 'I'm very much in the I'll-believe-it-when-I-see-it school,' he chuckled. 'But I'm quite happy that it's in there, for sure.'
Reunion and new album
The soundtrack placement coincides with Hyde and former bandmate Bob Rock reuniting for a new album, 'Life and Death,' their first collection of songs in nearly 20 years. The album includes eight originals and four covers, developed from musical snippets Rock sent to Hyde. 'We didn't plan this or anything, but at the same time we've got a CD coming out,' Hyde said. 'It wasn't planned. It's just fortuitous.'
Additionally, the duo has written songs for another upcoming horror film titled 'Heads Will Roll,' set for release later this year. 'This is another coincidence. Bob and I, we just finished a bunch of songs for another movie that is coming out later in the year,' Hyde said. 'That's just by chance as well.'
From Juno winners to new horizons
The Payolas won a Juno Award for 'Eyes of a Stranger' and topped Canadian charts in 1983. They released three studio albums before Rock transitioned to producing for major acts like Metallica and Bon Jovi, while Hyde pursued visual art, hosting his first exhibition at Vancouver's Chernoff Fine Art in 2020. Despite the resurgence, Hyde has no plans to tour: 'I love recording and I love writing songs, but I could care less about performing live.'
