Bette Davis Eyes
"Bette Davis Eyes" is the name of a popular song, best known for being performed by Kim Carnes.
The song was written in 1974 by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon. DeShannon recorded the song that same year on her album New Arrangement. But it was not until 1981, when Carnes recorded her version of the song, that it became a success. It spent nine non-consecutive weeks on top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (interrupted for one week by the "Stars on 45 Medley"), and over eight million copies of the album on which the song appeared, Mistaken Identity, were sold. The single went on to become the highest seller of the year and won the Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The song was also a number one hit in many countries, but achieved more moderate success in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number ten. The music video was directed by Russell Mulcahy.
Bette Davis admitted to being a fan of the song and approached Carnes and the songwriters to thank them for making her "a part of modern times."
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow performed the song in the movie Duets (2000), and her single release was a hit in some parts of the world.
The song itself was used in a Pac-Man themed 7 Up ad.
Mylo sampled this song for his single "In My Arms".
Handsome Devil covered the song in [[2004], featured on their second CD "Knock Yourself Out".
Tori Amos' song "Glory of the 80's" (from her To Venus and Back album) refers to '"Bette Davis Eyes'", saying, "I'll clone myself like that blonde chick that sings Bette Davis Eyes". On her US 2005 concert tour, Amos also covered "Bette Davis Eyes" during a gig in Pheonix, Arizona.
Sexton Blake covered the song in 2007.
The song was used in an episode of the tv show Cold Case entitled "Love Conquers All".
Paris Hilton stated being a fan of the song in an issue of J-14.
Parody
The song was parodied by Bruce "Babyman" Baum in 1981, as "Marty Feldman's Eyes". The title was also parodied by Half Man Half Biscuit in their song "Dickie Davies' Eyes" (where Dickie Davies was the presenter of the UK sports programme World of Sport). Shirley Stockewell recorded a parody called "Lizzy Taylor Thighs."
References
- The Kim Carnes Website - Bette Davis Eyes
- Guinness Book of British Hit Singles
- Official German Charts "Number 1 Finder"
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