Singer Jackie Deshannon is probably best known for her 1969 hit “Put a Little Love in Your Heart,” but she is also the co-writer (with Donna Weiss) of one of the Best Songs of the decade!

Jackie was a fan of 1940s black and white movies, and one day, while watching 1942’s “Now Voyager,” she was inspired to write a song about the the star of the film: Bette Davis.

She was also the first to record Bette Davis Eyes,” albeit as a jazzy tune that sounded quite a bit different than what we’re used to.

You can hear Jackie’s version by clicking the Great Songs of the ’80s link on our Facebook Page or website.

Anyway, It was actually Donna who introduced the song to Kim Carnes, who added synthesizers and completely re-arranged it with help from her producer, Val Garay.

And the rest, as they say, is HITS-story.

When the single was released from Kim’s “Mistaken Identity” album, it became a monster hit, selling millions of copies while topping the charts in 9 countries…including here in the U-S, where it reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and stayed there for NINE weeks!

Fun Fact: The best feedback the song received came from Bette Davis herself! She wrote letters to Kim, Donna and Jackie to thank them for making her “a part of modern times,” and when the song won the Grammy Awards for “Song of the Year” and “Single of the Year,” she sent them all roses. Then, when Kim sent Bette copies of her gold & platinum records, Bette proudly displayed them on the walls of her home.

“Bette Davis Eyes:” a Great Song of 1981…thanks to Kim Carnes, Jackie DeShannon. Donna Weiss, and, of course, Bette Davis.

Kim:

Jackie DeShannon :

For the stories behind nearly 1,300 Great Songs of the ’70s and ’80s, visit my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk