I Only Have Eyes for You

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"I Only Have Eyes for You"
Song
Published1934 by Remick Music Corp.
Songwriter(s)Al Dubin
Composer(s)Harry Warren

"I Only Have Eyes for You" is a romantic love song by composer Harry Warren and lyricist Al Dubin, written for the film Dames (1934) when Dick Powell introduced it.[1] Several successful recordings of the song were made in 1934; later, there were charted versions by The Flamingos (1959) and Art Garfunkel (1975).

Charting versions

Popular 1934 versions

Ben Selvin (vocal by Howard Phillips), Eddy Duchin (vocal by Lew Sherwood), and Jane Froman.[2]

The Flamingos version

"I Only Have Eyes for You"
File:The Flamingos - I Only Have Eyes for You.jpg
Single by the Flamingos
from the album Flamingo Serenade
B-side
ReleasedApril 1959
RecordedOctober 31, 1958
StudioBell Sound (New York City)
Genre
Length3:20
LabelEnd
Songwriter(s)Harry Warren, Al Dubin
Producer(s)George Goldner
The Flamingos singles chronology
"Love Walked In"
(1959) 		"I Only Have Eyes for You"
(1959) 		"Yours"
(1959)

The Flamingos recorded a doo-wop adaptation of "I Only Have Eyes for You" at Bell Sound Studios in New York City in 1958.[3] Their version was commercially successful, peaking at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart[6] and number 3 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[7] This recording has become recognised as a genre-defining work and has been frequently included in numerous lists; it was ranked as the 73rd biggest hit of 1959 by Billboard,[8] while Rolling Stone magazine placed it at number 158 on their list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[9]

This version was used in a commercial for Amazon Alexa and was featured in The Crown (season 2).

Cliff Richard version

A 1964 recording by Cliff Richard and the Norrie Paramor Orchestra peaked at number 31 on the Australian chart.[10]

The Lettermen version

A 1966 recording by The Lettermen went to number 4 on the US Easy Listening chart and number 72 on Hot 100.[11]

Jerry Butler version

In 1972, Jerry Butler's version on Mercury records spent eight weeks on the Billboard R&B chart, reaching a positional high of number 20. It also charted in the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 85.[12]

Art Garfunkel version

"I Only Have Eyes for You"
File:I Only Have Eyes for You - Art Garfunkel.jpg
Single by Art Garfunkel
from the album Breakaway
B-side"Looking for the Right One"
ReleasedAugust 1975
Recorded1975
GenreSoft rock
Length3:30
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Harry Warren, Al Dubin
Producer(s)Richard Perry
Art Garfunkel singles chronology
"Second Avenue"
(1974) 		"I Only Have Eyes for You"
(1975) 		"Break Away"
(1975)

A recording of the song by Art Garfunkel was a number-one hit on the UK Singles Chart in October 1975 for two weeks.[13] In the US, the song reached number 18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100[14] and No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[15] Garfunkel performed "I Only Have Eyes for You" on the second episode of Saturday Night Live.[16]

Other selected notable versions

The song has been recorded by many artists, including Billie Holiday (1952), Frank Sinatra (1962), Sunny Ozuna (1968), Robert Knight (1970), David Porter (1970), Carmen McRae (1972), Jermaine Jackson (1972), The Escorts (1973), Erroll Garner (1974), Eddie Floyd (1977), The Main Ingredient (1981), Billy Paul (1985), Zapp (1985), Etta James (1999), George Benson (2000), Carly Simon (2005), Summer Camp (2009), Tashaki Miyaki (2015), and Boyz II Men (2017).

References

Notes

  1. ^ "Internet Movie Database". imdb.com. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 517. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  3. ^ a b Zellner, Xander (January 16, 2018). "The Flamingos' 'I Only Have Eyes for You' Rules THR's Top TV Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  4. ^ Himes, Geoffrey (March 14, 2001). "Flamingos, Doo-wop Royalty, to Roost in Hal of Fame". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  5. ^ Rock and Roll at Fifty (Liner notes). May 25, 2004. ASIN B00023BJGY.
  6. ^ "Music: Top 100 - Billboard Hot 100 Chart", Billboard, 2 January 2013
  7. ^ "R&B/Hip Hop Songs - Billboard", Billboard, 2 January 2013
  8. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1959/Top 100 Songs of 1959". Music Outfitters.
  9. ^ "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. April 7, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  10. ^ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. Record Research Inc, ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
  11. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 144.
  12. ^ R&B / Hip-Hop Singles 1942-2004, compiled by Joel Whitburn, Billboard Information Group, Record Research Inc., Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. (2004), ISBN 0-89820-160-8
  13. ^ "i+only+have+eyes+for+you | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  14. ^ "Music: Top 100 - Billboard Hot 100 Chart", Billboard, 2 January 2013
  15. ^ "Adult Contemporary Chart - Billboard", Billboard, 2 January 2013
  16. ^ O'Connor, John J. (October 20, 1975). "TV: Simon and Garfunkel Reunion on NBC's 'Saturday Night'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

Sources

  • The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 6th Edition, 1996
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