Bette Davis Eyes

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"Bette Davis Eyes"
Single by Kim Carnes
from the album Mistaken Identity
B-side "Miss You Tonight"
Released March 10, 1981
Format
Recorded January 1981
Genre
Length 3:48
Label EMI America
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Val Garay
Certification
  • Gold (Italy, US)
  • Platinum (Canada, France)
Kim Carnes singles chronology
"Cry Like a Baby"
(1980)		 "Bette Davis Eyes"
(1981)		 "Draw of the Cards"
(1981)
Music sample
"Bette Davis Eyes"

Bette Davis Eyes is a song written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon, and made popular by American singer Kim Carnes. DeShannon recorded it in 1974; Carnes' 1981 version spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Billboard's biggest hit of the entire year for 1981. The 1981 recording won the 1982 Grammy Awards for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

History

The song was written in 1974 by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon. DeShannon recorded the song that same year on her album New Arrangement.[5] In this original incarnation, the track is performed in an "R&B lite" arrangement,[1] featuring a prominent uptempo piano part, as well as flourishes of pedal steel guitar and horns.[6] However, it was not until 1981, when Kim Carnes recorded her version of the song in a radically different synthesizer-based arrangement, that "Bette Davis Eyes" became a commercial success.[citation needed]

The Carnes version spent nine non-consecutive weeks on top of the US Billboard Hot 100 (interrupted for one week by the "Stars on 45 Medley") and was Billboard's biggest hit of the year for 1981.[7] The single also reached No. 5 on Billboard's Top Tracks charts and No. 26 on the Dance charts.[8] The song won the Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The song was also a number one hit in 21 countries[9] and peaked at number 10 in the United Kingdom.[10]

According to producer Val Garay, the original demo of the tune that was brought to him sounded like "a Leon Russell track, with this beer-barrel polka piano part." The demo can be heard in a Val Garay interview on TAXI TV at 21:50.[11] Keyboardist Bill Cuomo came up with the signature synth riff, using the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 synthesizer, which now defines Carnes' version. The song was recorded in the studio on the first take.[12]

Bette Davis wrote letters to Carnes and the songwriters to thank them for making her "a part of modern times", and said her grandson now looked up to her. After their Grammy wins, Davis sent them roses as well.[9]

The song was ranked at number 12 on Billboard's list of the top 100 songs in the first 50 years of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number one of the biggest hits of the 1980s.[13] Cleopatra Records released a re-recording of the song as a single in 2007.[14]

The song was used frequently as bumper music on Coast to Coast AM with Art Bell.[citation needed] The song was used in the 2015 horror comedy film The Final Girls, starring Taissa Farmiga and Malin Åkerman.[15]

Other versions

Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song for their 1982 album Chipmunk Rock. Leighton Meester released a cover in April 2009.[16] Later in the year, Courtney Love also performed the song.[17] The October 10, 1981, episode of Saturday Night Live featured Eddie Murphy's "Buckwheat Sings" sketch. The song Murphy sings in such a way that even the subtitler can not recognize it was "Bette Davis Eyes."[citation needed] In 2010, Brandon Flowers covered it at Highline Ballroom, New York City.[18] In 2011, Taylor Swift covered the song at the Staples Center during her Speak Now World Tour.[19] The rendition appears on the album Speak Now World Tour – Live. Dean Ray performed the song (with acoustic guitar) as his audition for X-Factor Australia 2014. Gwyneth Paltrow performed a cover of the song in the 2000 film Duets. In 2014, Kylie Minogue re-recorded the song especially for the British station program "Sounds of the '80s" BBC Radio 2 and performed the song on her Kylie Summer 2015 Tour. Sexton Blake covered the track for their 2007 album Plays the Hits!.[20]

Music video

The video opens in a dance hall with a black-draped leaning figure. The drape opens to reveal Kim Carnes wearing sunglasses as she sings the first verse. In the first chorus, she performs with a band; halfway dancers enter the hall. In the second verse, the dancers make slapping and floor-pounding dance motions. They disappear and reappear in the second chorus. The song finishes with the dancers making dance motions while approaching Carnes; the band is already gone when the video ends with the black-draped leaning figure. A shadowed silhouette of Bette Davis smoking a cigarette appears throughout the video. The video was directed by Australian film director Russell Mulcahy.[21]

Lyrics

There is much confusion over whether the lyrics are "she knows just what it takes to make a crow blush" or "... pro blush". Jackie DeShannon sings "crow" in her version, and Kim Carnes recorded it as "pro" from a mistranscription of the lyrics. This error has proliferated through numerous cover versions. The phrase "could make a crow blush" is an early 20th-century Midwestern United States colloquialism meaning that one could unease someone with little effort, and the arranger from Carnes' version was unfamiliar with the term.[citation needed][dubious – discuss] Others have misheard the lyrics as "she knows just what it takes to makes a girl blush", suggesting a lesbian undertone, although this was unintended by the songwriters.[22]

Track listing and formats

Charts

Order of precedence
Preceded by Australian Kent Music Report number-one single
June 15, 1981 – July 13, 1981 (5 weeks)		 Succeeded by
"Stars on 45" by Stars on 45
Preceded by Canadian CHUM number-one single
May 23, 1981 – May 30, 1981 (2 weeks)
Preceded by Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary number-one single
June 27, 1981 (1 week)		 Succeeded by
"Sukiyaki" by A Taste of Honey
Preceded by
"Je veux de la tendresse" by Elton John
"Confidence pour confidence" by Jean Schultheis
 French IFOP number-one single
July 24, 1981 – September 25, 1981 (10 weeks)
October 23, 1981 (1 week)		 Succeeded by
"Confidence pour confidence" by Jean Schultheis
"La danse des canards" by J.J. Lionel
Preceded by German number-one single
July 13, 1981 – August 24, 1981 (7 weeks)		 Succeeded by
"Dance Little Bird" by Electronicas
Swiss number-one single
July 5, 1981 – August 16, 1981 (7 weeks)		 Succeeded by
"Stars on 45 Vol. 2" by Stars on 45
Preceded by
"(Out Here) On My Own" by Nikka Costa
 Italian number one single
November 21, 1981 – December 5, 1981 (3 weeks)		 Succeeded by
"Cicale" by Heather Parisi
Preceded by
"Hubba Hubba Zoot-Zoot" by Caramba
 Norwegian number-one single
40/1981 (1 week)		 Succeeded by
"For Your Eyes Only" by Sheena Easton
Preceded by
"More and More" by Joe Dolan
"Kids in America" by Kim Wilde
 South African number-one single
July 18, 1981 – August 8, 1981 (4 weeks)
August 22, 1981 – August 29, 1981 (2 weeks)		 Succeeded by
"Kids in America" by Kim Wilde
"Chequered Love" by Kim Wilde
Preceded by
"Ma quale idea" by Pino D'Angiò
 Spanish number-one single
October 5, 1981 (1 week)		 Succeeded by
"Ma quale idea" by Pino D'Angiò
Preceded by US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
May 16, 1981 – June 13, 1981 (5 weeks)
June 27, 1981 – July 18, 1981 (4 weeks)		 Succeeded by
"Stars on 45" by Stars on 45
"The One That You Love" by Air Supply
Preceded by US Cash Box number-one single
May 30, 1981 – June 13, 1981 (3 weeks)
July 4, 1981 – July 11, 1981 (2 weeks)
Preceded by
"Call Me" by Blondie
1980
 US Billboard Hot 100 best-selling single of the year
1981		 Succeeded by
"Physical" by Olivia Newton-John
1982

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Archive Chart: 1981-05-23" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Jackson, Blair. Classic Tracks: Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes" at the Wayback Machine (archived July 13, 2014). Mix Online. NewBay Media. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  13. ↑ The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs (20-11) at the Wayback Machine (archived September 13, 2008). Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  14. ↑ Bette Davis Eyes (single) on We7. Retrieved April 10, 2013
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ CHART NUMBER 1271 – Saturday, May 23, 1981 at the Wayback Machine (archived July 29, 2007). CHUM. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 0354." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0337." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Bette Davis Eyes". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes". VG-lista. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes". Singles Top 60. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  44. ↑ "Kim Carnes – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Kim Carnes. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  45. ↑ CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending MAY 30, 1981 at the Wayback Machine (archived September 18, 2012). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  46. ↑ RECORD WORLD 1981 at the Wayback Machine (archived July 15, 2004). Record World. Geocities.com. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes 2002" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes". Tracklisten. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1981 at the Wayback Machine (archived September 18, 2012). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select KIM CARNES and click OK
  61. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Kim Carnes in the field Filtra. Select 2014 in the field Anno. The certification will load automatically
  63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH

External links

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