betty davis eyes

from the album Mistaken Identity B-side "Miss You Tonight" Released April 9, 1981 Format 7" Genre Pop Length 3:49 Label EMI America Writer(s) Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon Producer Val Garay Kim Carnes singles chronology "Cry Like a Baby"

(1980) "Bette Davis Eyes"

(1981) "Draw of the Cards"

(1981)

"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 31 countries, including Germany, Australia, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Japan and Brazil, but achieved more moderate success in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number ten. The music video was directed by Russell Mulcahy.

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." Keyboardist Bill Cuomo came up with the signature synth riff which now defines Carnes' version. The song was recorded completely live in the studio on the first take.[1]

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."

The song ranks at #12 on Billboard's All Time Top 100.[1] Contents [hide] 1 Cover versions 2 Live cover performances 3 Appearances in other media, etc. 4 Parodies 5 References //

Cover versions The Chipmunks covered this song in 1982 on their album Chipmunk Rock. A dance version by European singer Sonia Davis was released in 1992. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow performed the song in the movie Duets (2000), and her single release was a hit in some parts of the world. A dance pop cover of the song by singer Marcy Caldwell was released in 2001. Handsome Devil covered the song in 2004, featured on their second CD Knock Yourself Out. The Denton, Texas band Space Cadet remade the song for their 2005 debut album Debutante. American indie band Sexton Blake covered the song for their 2007 album Plays the Hits. Actress Leighton Meester has recorded a cover of the song which was leaked via Perez Hilton.

Live cover performances A live recording by Brad Roberts of the Crash Test Dummies was included on his first solo CD, 2001's Crash Test Dude. French Singer Sylvie Vartan performed the song during her Live in Las Vegas Concert in 1982. It is included in her Integrale Live box set. Canadian