Sunday 16 May 2021

she got greta garbo’s standoff sighs

New Christy Minstrels alumna (matriculated along with other former member folk ensemble members Gene Clark, Larry Ramos and Kenny Rogers) Kim Carnes’ only charting single with Bette Davis Eyes, which entered its nine-week stretch in the number ten for US and UK airplay on this day in 1981. Originally written and composed by Joe Cocker’s songwriter Donna Weiss and singer Jackie DeShannon (What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love) in 1974 as a R&B arrangement, Carnes’s synthesiser version made the song—and performer—commercially successful, whereas before it sounded to audiences like a Leon Redbone novelty track, though that sounds fun too. The titular actress appreciated the song and the resurgent relevance it brought and personally thanked all involved—including sending Carnes a bouquet of roses when she won a Grammy award for the piece.