#AtoZ 1981 Songs to Remember – “B” is for “Bette Davis Eyes”

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I chose 1981 music as my theme this year. My newest novel The Summer of Princess Diana is set in the summer of 1981, and oh! the music! Let’s take a look back at a pivotal time in the music industry.

I can’t ignore the song that was #1 for the year, even if I’m not crazy about it. Kim Carnes sounds like she’s smoked a carton of cigarettes before she recorded it. What I didn’t know was that the song was actually written in 1974 by Jackie DeShannon (“What the World Needs Now is Love” and “Put a Little Love in Your Heart”). DeShannon recorded it, but who remembers that? No, it was a huge hit for Kim Carnes, who was a songwriter and session background singer for years, until Kenny Rogers commissioned her in 1980 to co-write songs for his new album. She recorded a few other songs, including a duet with Rogers (“Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer”). Actually, Kim Carnes has had a pretty impressive career, and you can read about it here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Carnes

Here’s the video:

I am going to give a mention to the song I would have included, if it weren’t for the fact that “Bette Davis Eyes” couldn’t be ignored.

“Being with You” by Smokey Robinson – runner-up!

Published by Martha Reynolds

I am the bestselling author of nine novels, including the Swiss Chocolate trilogy and VILLA DEL SOL, which won the 2018 Book Award in Literary Fiction from the Independent Publishers of New England. My newest series includes the books A JINGLE VALLEY WEDDING, APRIL IN GALWAY, and ALL’S WELL IN JINGLE VALLEY. Find my books online at Amazon, locally at Stillwater Books (Pawtucket, Rhode Island) and Ink Fish Books (Warren, Rhode Island).

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20 thoughts on “#AtoZ 1981 Songs to Remember – “B” is for “Bette Davis Eyes””

  2. I’m with you on the “Bette Davis Eyes” song. I never cared much for it either, but it was everywhere back then. Smokey Robinson is much better. I’ve listened to him since my high school days in the sixties. A friend of mine’s daughter sings back up for Robinson which is pretty cool.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out Battle of the Bands

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  3. Oh, my, unlike you I LOVE this song! I think that Carnes’ smoky voice makes the song perfection. I have it on my i-pod.

    (Side note: I was going through security at the airport yesterday when the very young lady asked me if I had electronics in my purse. “Only my phone,” I said. “Oh, wait! I have my i-pod, too.” She looked at me as though I had lobsters crawling out of my hears. I explained, “It plays music.” She let me through. I know it’s obsolete, but it’s still my favorite toy of all time!).

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  11. Endless love

    On Sat, Apr 2, 2022 at 3:01 AM Martha Reynolds Writes wrote:

    > Martha Reynolds posted: ” I chose 1981 music as my theme this year. My > newest novel The Summer of Princess Diana is set in the summer of 1981, and > oh! the music! Let’s take a look back at a pivotal time in the music > industry. I can’t ignore the song that was #1 for the year, e” >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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