#AtoZ 1981 Songs to Remember - "B" is for "Bette Davis Eyes"
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!