Kim Carnes, Bette Davis Eyes | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 125^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 125^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Bette Davis Eyes” performed by Kim Carnes.

“Her hands are never cold / She’s got Bette Davis eyes.” “Bette Davis Eyes” is a quintessential 1980s song, popularized by Kim Carnes. Penned by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon, DeShannon originally recorded and released it in 1975.  Carnes’ definitive version arrived in 1981, appearing on her Grammy-nominated album, Mistaken Identity. Val Garay produced the iconic song where “She’ll turn her music on you,” and “You won’t have to think twice!” The eyes mentioned throughout the song belonged to the legendary Hollywood actress, Bette Davis (1908 – 1989). “Bette Davis Eyes” spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Nominated for three Grammys, it won two: Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 24^th Annual Grammy Awards.

“She’ll take a tumble on you / Roll you like you were dice 🎲.” Word! Kim Carnes eats on “Bette Davis Eyes”.  Her distinct, raspy vocals perfectly capture the memorable, novel lyrics and tuneful melodies.  It’s not all about pitch on “Bette Davis Eyes.” Sometimes, there’s playful, talk-singing.  Among the playful moments are “She’s precocious and she knows just / What it takes to make a pro blush,” as well as the variation, “She’s ferocious…” Both lyrics appear from the unforgettable, varied choruses:

“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 means to make a pro blush

She got Greta Carbo stand off sighs

She got Bette Davis eyes.”

Beyond her memorable vocal performance, the musical accompaniment shines too.  This superbly produced record thrives on its quintessential 1980s music cues: guitars, keyboards (synths), drums, drum programming, etc. The minute you hear that riff, you know you’re listening to those, Bette Davis eyes! A striking instrumental for a striking oldie! “Bette Davis Eyes” is one of the best pop songs ever.  That is indisputable! “She’ll expose you / When she snows you / She knows ya / She’s got Bette Davis eyes.” Woo!