The Phenomenon of “Bette Davis Eyes”: A Musical Triumph
Origin and Ascension to Global Acclaim
The iconic song “Bette Davis Eyes,” penned by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974, initially surfaced through DeShannon’s recording. However, it skyrocketed to fame when American singer Kim Carnes took the helm in 1981, dominating the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for a staggering nine non-consecutive weeks. This meteoric rise garnered it the prestigious 1981 Grammy Awards for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, solidifying its status as a musical sensation.
Billboard Domination and International Success
Achieving the coveted No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a total of five weeks, “Bette Davis Eyes” briefly relinquished its top position for just one week to “Stars on 45” before reclaiming its reign for another four weeks. Its chart-topping prowess made it the pinnacle of Billboard’s hits for the year. Beyond the U.S., this chartbuster soared to No. 2 in Canada, maintaining its position for an impressive twelve consecutive weeks, becoming the country’s second most successful song of 1981, trailing only “Stars on 45.”
Though peaking at No. 10 in the United Kingdom, it stands as Kim Carnes’s sole Top 40 hit in the UK to this day. Its enduring impact earned it the noteworthy No. 12 spot on Billboard’s esteemed compilation of the top 100 songs within the magazine’s initial 50 years.
Global Phenomenon and Enduring Legacy
The resounding success of “Bette Davis Eyes” reverberated globally, securing the No. 1 position in 21 countries. Its irresistible charm, catchy melodies, and evocative lyrics cemented its place in music history as a timeless hit cherished across generations.
Evolution of “Bette Davis Eyes”: Transformation and Appreciation
Origins and Musical Evolution
Penned by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974, “Bette Davis Eyes” initially found life within DeShannon’s rendition for her album, “New Arrangement.” In its original form, the track boasted an “R&B lite” style, characterized by an upbeat piano, touches of pedal steel guitar, and vibrant horn elements. However, it wasn’t until March 1981 that the song underwent a dramatic metamorphosis.
Carnes’s Transformative Rendition
Kim Carnes’s rendition of the song marked a pivotal moment, adopting a revolutionary, synthesizer-based arrangement that set it apart. Producer Val Garay highlighted the initial demo’s stark contrast, resembling a “Leon Russell track” with a distinct piano element. The innovation lay in keyboardist Bill Cuomo’s masterstroke using the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 synthesizer, crafting the iconic riff that defined Carnes’s version—a recording achieved remarkably in a single take.
Acknowledgment from Bette Davis and Cultural Impact
The song’s impact transcended its musical realm. Bette Davis, aged 73 during Carnes’s rendition’s rise to fame, expressed her gratitude to Carnes, Weiss, and DeShannon, acknowledging how their musical homage made her feel relevant in modern times. Davis, deeply moved, mentioned her grandson looking up to her due to the song’s newfound popularity. Her appreciation extended beyond words, as she sent roses to the artists following their Grammy wins.
Musical Composition and Influence
Written in the key of F major, “Bette Davis Eyes” stands as a testament to the evolution of musical interpretations, marking its place not only as a chart-topping hit but also as a tribute that resonated deeply with its subject and captivated audiences worldwide.
A structured table for Lyrics the song “Bette Davis Eyes”
| Section | Lyrics |
|---|---|
| Verse 1 | Her hair is Harlow gold Her lips sweet surprise Her hands are never cold She’s got Bette Davis eyes |
| Verse 2 | She’ll turn her music on you You won’t have to think twice She’s pure as New York snow She got Bette Davis eyes |
| Chorus 1 | And she’ll tease you She’ll unease you All the better just to please you She’s precocious and she knows just What it takes to make a pro blush She got Greta Garbo stand off sighs She’s got Bette Davis eyes |
| Verse 3 | She’ll let you take her home It whets her appetite She’ll lay you on her throne She got Bette Davis eyes |
| Verse 4 | She’ll take a tumble on you Roll you like you were dice Until you come up blue She’s got Bette Davis eyes |
| Chorus 2 | She’ll expose you When she snows you Off your feet with the crumbs she throws you She’s ferocious and she knows just What it takes to make a pro blush All the boys think she’s a spy She’s got Bette Davis eyes |
| Chorus 1 | And she’ll tease you She’ll unease you All the better just to please you She’s precocious and she knows just What it takes to make a pro blush All the boys think she’s a spy She’s got Bette Davis eyes |
| Outro | She’ll tease you She’ll unease you Just to please ya She’s got Bette Davis eyes She’ll expose you When she snows you She knows ya She’s got Bette Davis eyes |
What advert is Bette Davis Eyes in?
The song “Bette Davis Eyes” was a hit single by Kim Carnes released in 1981. While the song itself was not created specifically for an advertisement, it has been used in various commercials and media over the years due to its popularity and catchy tune. The song’s distinctive sound and memorable lyrics have made it a popular choice for commercials, TV shows, and movies, but there isn’t a specific advertisement that the song was originally associated with.
What does it mean if someone says you have Bette Davis Eyes?
The phrase “Bette Davis eyes” is often used metaphorically to describe someone who possesses a captivating and alluring quality, particularly in their gaze or overall appearance. Here are a few aspects that contribute to the association:
- Intensity: Bette Davis was known for her intense, expressive eyes in her film roles. When someone says you have “Bette Davis eyes,” they may be referring to the depth and intensity of your gaze, suggesting that your eyes convey strong emotions or a sense of depth.
- Charisma and Magnetism: The phrase implies that you have a magnetic quality that draws people in. It could mean you have a captivating presence, an ability to command attention, or an intriguing allure in the way you carry yourself.
- Mystery and Intrigue: Bette Davis was celebrated for her ability to portray complex and enigmatic characters on screen. Therefore, being told you have “Bette Davis eyes” might suggest that there’s an air of mystery or intrigue about you, sparking curiosity or fascination in others.
- Confidence and Strength: Bette Davis was known for her strong, confident persona. Being likened to her eyes can also imply that you exude confidence, resilience, and strength in your demeanor.
Ultimately, when someone says you have “Bette Davis eyes,” it’s generally meant as a compliment, highlighting the captivating, expressive, and compelling nature of your gaze or your overall presence. It suggests that you possess qualities that make you stand out and draw attention, much like the legendary actress Bette Davis did in her performances.
who first sang bette davis eyes?
The song “Bette Davis Eyes” was first performed by singer Jackie DeShannon in 1974. However, it gained immense popularity and became widely known when it was re-recorded by Kim Carnes and released in 1981. Kim Carnes’ version of “Bette Davis Eyes” became a massive hit, topping the charts in multiple countries and earning widespread acclaim for its distinctive sound and Carnes’ raspy, emotive vocals.
bette davis eyes stranger things
In the Netflix series “Stranger Things,” which is set in the 1980s, popular music from that era is often featured to create a nostalgic atmosphere. While the song “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes was a major hit in the early 1980s and could fit the show’s timeframe, I don’t recall a specific scene or moment in “Stranger Things” that prominently features this song.
However, the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, are known for integrating iconic ’80s music into the series to set the mood and capture the essence of the time period. They might have used “Bette Davis Eyes” in a scene, but as of my last knowledge update in January 2022, it wasn’t a prominently featured track in the show. The series often includes a diverse array of ’80s music, and “Bette Davis Eyes” could certainly fit within that repertoire.
Bette Davis eyes chords
“Bette Davis Eyes” is a song originally performed by Kim Carnes. The chords for this song are relatively simple and repetitive. Here are the chords for the main progression:
[Verse]
Em A Em A
Her hair is Harlow gold,
Em A Em A
Her lips sweet surprise,
Em A Em A
Her hands are never cold,
Em A Em A
She’s got Bette Davis eyes.
[Chorus]
C D Em D
She’ll turn the music on you,
C D Em D
You won’t have to think twice,
C D Em D
She’s pure as New York snow,
C D Em D
She’s got Bette Davis eyes.
These chords repeat throughout the song for both the verses and the chorus. You can strum along with these chords to play the song in the original key. Adjust the rhythm and strumming pattern to match the song’s feel.
Please note that the actual chord progression might slightly vary in different interpretations or covers of the song, but these chords should work well for playing “Bette Davis Eyes.”
Who remade Bette Davis Eyes?
“Bette Davis Eyes” was originally performed by Kim Carnes and released in 1981. However, there have been various cover versions of the song by different artists over the years. One notable cover was by Taylor Dayne, an American singer, who also recorded a version of “Bette Davis Eyes.” Her rendition was included on her album “Satisfied,” released in 2007.
In 2000, Gwyneth Paltrow starred in the film “Duets,” a movie centered around the world of karaoke competitions and road trips. As part of the soundtrack for this film, Gwyneth Paltrow covered the song “Bette Davis Eyes,”.
Her version of “Bette Davis Eyes” was included in the soundtrack and later released as a single in Australia on March 26, 2001. The song made its debut and peaked at a certain position on the music charts there. Unfortunately, the information about the specific peak position was not provided in your query.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s rendition of the song was part of the promotional material for the movie and was made available for audiences to enjoy as both part of the soundtrack and as a standalone single.
charts and certifications of bette davis eyes
Weekly charts
| Year | Country/Area | Peak Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia (Kent Music Report) | 1 |
| 1981 | Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 2 |
| 1981 | Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 5 |
| 1981 | Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 2 |
| 1981 | Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) | 1 |
| 1981 | Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 1 |
| 1981 | France (IFOP) | 1 |
| 1981 | Ireland (IRMA) | 5 |
| 1981 | Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 16 |
| 1981 | Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 17 |
| 1981 | New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 2 |
| 1981 | Norway (VG-lista) | 1 |
| 1981 | South Africa (Springbok Radio) | 1 |
| 1981 | Spain (AFE) | 1 |
| 1981 | Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 4 |
| 1981 | Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 1 |
| 1981 | UK Singles (OCC) | 10 |
| 1981 | US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 15 |
| 1981 | US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| 1981 | US Cash Box Top 100 | 1 |
| 1981 | US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) | 26 |
| 1981 | US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) | 5 |
| 1981 | US Record World Singles | 1 |
| 1981 | West Germany (Official German Charts) | 1 |
| 1997 | Ireland (IRMA) | 21 |
| 2002 | Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 67 |
| 2007 | Denmark (Tracklisten) | 14 |
| 2013 | Slovenia (SloTop50) | 45 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1981) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 6 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 16 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 37 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 2 |
| France (IFOP) | 4 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 6 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio) | 2 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| US Cash Box | 2 |
| West Germany (Official German Charts) | 10 |
All-time charts
| Chart | Rank |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 17 |
certifications
Here’s the information presented in a table format:
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) | Gold | 100,000 |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| France (SNEP) | Platinum | 1,000,000* |
| Italy (FIMI) | sales since 2009 | Platinum |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | 2004 release | Platinum |
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
(Note: Symbols like ^, ‡, and * indicate specific conditions or notes associated with the certifications or sales figures.)
Certainly! The notations used in the context of sales certifications provide additional information about how the figures have been calculated or what they represent:
- Sales figures based on certification alone (*): This means that the reported figures for certified units or sales are based solely on the units that have been sold to consumers or retailers, meeting the criteria set forth by the certification authority without including any other metric such as shipments, streaming, or other non-sales-related factors.
- Shipments figures based on certification alone (^): Shipments figures represent the number of units that have been shipped by a record label or distributor to retailers or outlets. The certification authority counts these shipments as part of its certification process. However, it’s important to note that shipments do not always equate to actual sales to consumers; they reflect the number of units sent out to be potentially sold.
- Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone (‡): This notation signifies that the certification incorporates both traditional sales figures and streaming numbers to determine the total certified units. In this case, streaming data, which includes plays from platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or other streaming services, is factored into the overall certification alongside traditional physical or digital sales.
These notations provide clarity on what specific metrics or methods were used to calculate the certified units or sales figures, whether it’s solely based on actual sales, shipments, or a combination of sales and streaming data.
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