How “Bette Davis Eyes” Made the Hollywood Icon Cool Again – The Story Behind the 1981 Hit
Today’s song Bette Davis Eyes was recorded several times and didn’t go anywhere… in 1974 it was released and was a total flop. It was written about an old-time movie star that the newer generation didn’t really know. 5 years later it was re-recorded with a completely different arrangement… adding an undeniable 80s synth line with a voice so raspy everyone mistook the singer for Rod Stewart… only it was a woman: Kim Carnes. With her distinct voice, the song spread like wildfire. It hit the #1 spot for 9 weeks and became the biggest song of the year and one of the biggest of the decade. It was…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.