It was the latter brief diversion that got the boy labeled the Singing Milkman at the outset of his career. At 16, his mother entered him in a local talent contest and he won by singing "Love Letters in the Sand." He got to a final round, where he specifically avoided doing the standard Elvis Presley imitations that his competitors presented. This led to an appearance at a variety show on the island, where he was seen by London agent Bunny Lewis, whose wife was performing on the same bill. She, in turn, was impressed with the boy's poise and professionalism. Lewis arranged for singing lessons for the 16-year-old and began grooming him for a career on the stage in London. Lewis gave him the name Craig Douglas after seeing it outside a house in Scotland.
His breakthrough came on The Six-Five Special, then the only real showcase for rock & roll on British television. Douglas was booked on the show the same week that Cliff Richard and Joe Brown appeared, but he made an impression even in their company: A few days later, he was presented with two huge sacks of fan mail from the performance. The Six-Five Special led Douglas to a recording contract and a string of successes. Much of Douglas' career was spent at EMI, for which he had a number one hit with his version of "Only Sixteen," but also charted very high with "A Teenager in Love," "The Heart of a Teenage Girl," "Pretty Blue Eyes," and "When My Little Girl Is Smiling." Douglas wasn't really a rock & roll singer, his diction being too good and his delivery too straight-ahead for that designation.
His early records call up images of Ricky Nelson but, like a lot of young British singers of his era, he quickly aimed for a more mature audience. His singing was very emotive but also very clean. He was obviously more comfortable with dignified pop music, such as "Time," than with the more rocking numbers like "Ring-A-Ding" that he was occasionally called upon to record, with its slurred lyrics, honking saxes, and loud electric guitars (although Douglas acquitted himself well in that setting). He made the usual moves, appearing on film soundtracks (Two and Two Make Six) and in movies (It's Trad, Dad; A Painted Smile), as well as numerous television shows. Douglas' appearance alongside his EMI stablemate Helen Shapiro in It's Trad, Dad (which was Richard Lester's first feature and a dry run for A Hard Day's Night) showed off his strengths and weaknesses. He was charismatic simply based on his good looks, but was rather a stiff on camera as an actor, especially next to the vivacious Shapiro (who was also about five years younger than the then 21-year-old Douglas).
Rock & roll was just another musical genre to Douglas, which is not to say he was wrong, it's just that antique numbers like "It All Depends on You" or "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" done straight will never resonate the same way "Dream Lover" or "Rainbows" will to listeners born after 1945. Douglas' time on the English charts ended in 1962 and his major recording career came to a halt a year later with the advent of the Liverpool sound, but he continues to perform regularly in clubs, on cruises, and in cabarets, as well as international tours. Indeed, well into the 1990s, he had an annual month-long booking in Hong Kong. He's a fondly remembered and talented exponent of England's early flirtation with rock & roll. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
Pretty Blue Eyes
Craig Douglas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then you moved in next door
Pretty blue eyes
Pretty blue eyes
All the guys from the neighborhood
Keep sayin' you sure look good
With your blue eyes
Saw you from my window
My heart skipped a beat
Gonna sit by your doorstep
So that I can meet
Pretty blue eyes
Please come out today
So I can tell you what I have to say
That I love you, love you pretty blue eyes
Saw you from my window
My heart skipped a beat
Gonna sit by your doorstep
So that I can meet
Pretty blue eyes
Please come out today
So I can tell you what I have to say
That I love you, love you pretty blue eyes
Pretty blue eyes
Pretty blue eyes
Pretty blue
Craig Douglas's "Pretty Blue Eyes" is a nostalgic love song that depicts a young man's infatuation and admiration for a girl with stunning blue eyes who lives next door. The lyrics speak to the beauty of love and the thrill of falling for someone new.
The song opens with the singer confessing that he thought he was in love before, but his feelings change when the girl with the pretty blue eyes moved in next door. Every guy in the neighborhood can't help but notice her and her gorgeous eyes. The singer describes his longing to get to know her better, stating that he sits by her doorstep, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. "Pretty blue eyes, please come out today, so I can tell you what I have to say, that I love you, love you pretty blue eyes" he sings, expressing his love and affection.
The song's lyrics capture the innocence and simplicity of young love, where the mere sight of a person can send your heart fluttering. It is a sweet and charming melody that resonates with audiences of all ages, evoking memories of past crushes and infatuations.
Line by Line Meaning
Thought I was in love before
I have thought that I was in love before meeting you.
And then you moved in next door
After you came and settled nearby, I saw and noticed you more.
Pretty blue eyes
You have the most beautiful blue eyes that mesmerize me.
Pretty blue eyes
Your blue eyes are so enchanting that I can't help but mention it again.
All the guys from the neighborhood
The boys from the vicinity are all talking about how gorgeous you are.
Keep sayin' you sure look good
They keep complimenting your looks and appearance.
With your blue eyes
Your eyes are especially noticeable when the boys talk about how amazing you look.
Pretty blue eyes
Again, I must mention how alluring and captivating your eyes are.
Saw you from my window
I saw you from my home's window and felt an instant attraction towards you.
My heart skipped a beat
Due to your beauty, I became infatuated and excited on the inside.
Gonna sit by your doorstep
I am planning to sit near your entrance to get to know you better.
So that I can meet
This action will enable me to engage in conversation and develop a relationship.
Pretty blue eyes
Your stunning blue eyes are what initially caught my attention.
Please come out today
I implore you to come outside today for me to pursue a relationship with you.
So I can tell you what I have to say
There are some things that I need to express to you, and I want to do so in person.
That I love you, love you pretty blue eyes
I have fallen for you and your beautiful blue eyes, and I want to tell you that I love you.
Pretty blue eyes
Once more, I must reiterate how stunning and lovely your blue eyes are.
Pretty blue eyes
Your eyes are so pretty that I cannot help but mention them again.
Pretty blue
The beauty and attractiveness of your blue eyes cannot be denied.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOBBY WEINSTEIN, TEDDY RANDAZZO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Batley
For me, the best rendition of this beautiful track.
Oswin Towns
My favourite craig Douglas track by far the production and arrangement out standing
BillsOldiesUK
Couldn't agree more. :-)
Diane Martin
Beautiful music, lovely lyrics.
Kath Jordan
Brilliant song ,lovely voice
Margie Staneff
This was the first song I sang... I was 18 months old...and I sang it in tune..my neighbor thought I was a musical genius...lol. The only line I remembered was 'my heart skips a beat'...this is the first time I've heard it in 60 years. I'm amazed...
Paul Schumacher
This is one of my all time favourite songs. W don't hear this kind of songs now. What a song. Thanks for sharing.
Davi Silva
Linda ♥️🎶🇧🇷
sunshine lovechild
The 60s and 70s have the best songs to sing along to.
Lety 04
Wow!!!What a magical song!!😍