Optical Illusion

Album: 24 Carrots (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to the inset sheet, "Optical Illusion" - the last track on the album - runs to 3 minutes 27 seconds. An Al Stewart solo composition, this slightly enigmatic number sounds like an ode to an unnamed woman. If that is indeed the case, the identity of the woman will be obvious to diehard fans: Mandi, who featured in so many of his early songs, including the saddest, "Elvaston Place." By 1980, when "Optical Illusion" was published by Frabjous Music, she was long out of his life, but her ghost was not exorcised until he met and married his future wife more than a decade later. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."