Born in Pasadena, California, Carnes pursued a songwriting career from an early age. She was a member of the New Christy Minstrels from 1966 to 1970. Kenny Rogers was also a member, and during this time Carnes met and married Dave Ellingson, with whom she would write most of her songs. For a short while in the early 1970s, she and Ellingson formed the folk duo Kim and Dave. Their track "Nobody Knows"" features on the Vanishing Point soundtrack, alongside another Carnes-Ellison track, "Sing Out for Jesus", performed by Big Mama Thornton.
Carnes began releasing solo music in the early 1970s. Her self-titled album in 1975 contained her first hit, You're a Part of Me" – later re-recorded as a duet with Gene Cotton. Carnes recorded her third album, Sailin', with producer Jerry Wexler. One track, "Love Comes From Unexpected Places", won best song at the 1977 American Song Festival and gained some additional notice after it was recorded by Barbra Streisand on her 1977 album, Superman.
In 1980, Carnes and Ellingson were invited to write a concept album for Kenny Rogers. Gideon follows the story of a fictional cowboy, with each track focusing on a moment in his life. Rogers asked Carnes to record "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" as a duet, and it became a major hit on the country and pop charts. Her cover version of the Smokey Robinson & The Miracles song "More Love" became her first solo hit single in 1980 when it reached the U.S. Top 10.
In 1981 she recorded the Jackie DeShannon and Donna Weiss song "Bette Davis Eyes". As the first single released from the album Mistaken Identity, it spent 9 weeks at number one on the US singles charts and became a worldwide hit. The single went on to become the #1 bestseller for the year and won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. It is second only to Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" (released later in 1981 and late enough to be the number one single of 1982), which spent 10 weeks at number one, as the biggest hit of the entire decade of the 1980s. In 1986, she recorded "Room Enough For Two," theme to CBS sitcom "My Sister Sam" starring Pam Dawber and the late Rebecca Schaeffer.
It is ironic that Carnes' best known and most popular song "Bette Davis Eyes" written in 1974 was originally rejected by Carnes. It was only after a new instrumental arrangement was done by Bill Cuomo that Carnes agreed to record it and it became a huge hit. Bette Davis admitted to being a fan of the song and approached Carnes and the songwriters to thank them. Davis wrote to Carnes after the song was released and stated that she was very pleased with the song as it made her seem very up to date with her grandson. She had Carnes sing the song live for her at a tribute held just before her death.
Carnes continued to record and released several albums into the 1990s. These releases failed to reach the level of success of "Bette Davis Eyes", but by this time she was a highly respected songwriter, and collaborated with such artists as Barbra Streisand. Carnes has written three number one country songs: “The Heart Won’t Lie”, a hit duet for Reba McEntire and Vince Gill, “Don’t Fall In Love With A Dreamer”, a huge hit duet she performed with Kenny Rogers, and “Make No Mistake She’s Mine”, a duet performed by Kenny Rogers and Ronnie Milsap. The latter song was originally "Make No Mistake, He's Mine," a No. 51 Pop hit in 1984 for Carnes and Streisand featured on Streisand's album Emotion. Also in 1984, Carnes sang on the No. 1 Adult Contemporary hit "What About Me?" with Rogers and James Ingram.
Co-writing with others, Carnes has had songs covered by such country stars as Deana Carter, Kevin Sharp, Sawyer Brown, Suzy Bogguss, Pam Tillis and Tanya Tucker. She wrote "You Don't Love Me Anymore," a hit song on Tim McGraw's album A Place In The Sun.
In 2004, she re-appeared with a self-released album Chasin' Wild Trains.
In August 2005, her 1981 single “Draw Of The Cards” hit #1 on the internet radio request site FreezeFrameRadio.com.
She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
Discography
* Rest on Me (1972)
* Kim Carnes (1975)
* Sailin' (1976)
* St Vincent's Court (1979)
* Romance Dance (1980) US #57
* Mistaken Identity (1981) US #1
* Voyeur (1982) US #49
* Cafe Racers (1983) US #97
* Barking at Airplanes (1985) US #48
* Light House (1986) US #116
* View from the House (1988)
* Checking Out The Ghosts (1991)
* Gypsy Honeymoon: Best of Kim Carnes (1993)
* Chasin' Wild Trains' (2004)
Betty Davis Eyes
Kim Carnes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her lips are sweet surprise
Her hands are never cold
She's got Bette Davis eyes
She'll turn the music on you
You won't have to think twice
She's pure as New York snow
She got Bette Davis eyes
All the better just to please you
She's precocious, and she knows just what it
Takes to make a pro blush
She got Greta Garbo's standoff sighs, she's got Bette Davis eyes
She'll let you take her home
It whets her appetite
She'll lay you on the throne
She got Bette Davis eyes
She'll take a tumble on you
Roll you like you were dice
Until you come out blue
She's got Bette Davis eyes
She'll expose you, when she snows you
Off your feet with the crumbs, she throws you
She's ferocious and she knows just what it
Takes to make a pro blush
All the boys think she's a spy, she's got Bette Davis eyes
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
Takes to make a pro blush
All the boys think she's a spy, she's got Bette Davis eyes
She'll tease you
She'll unease you
Just to please you
She's got Bette Davis eyes
She'll expose you
When she snows you
She knows you, she's got Bette Davis Eyes
"Betty Davis Eyes" is a song by Kim Carnes about a woman who is captivating and alluring, with a hint of danger. The first verse sets the tone with imagery of gold hair and sweet lips, but also a sense of mystery with hands that are never cold. The chorus repeatedly refers to Bette Davis eyes, suggesting that this woman has a gaze that can capture and manipulate her prey. The second verse portrays her as someone who knows her own power and uses it to entice men, referring to her as "ferocious" and saying that she'll "expose you" and "snow you off your feet."
The bridge of the song alludes to Hollywood icons Greta Garbo and Bette Davis, further emphasizing the woman's seductive powers. The repetition of "she's got Bette Davis eyes" throughout the song creates a hook that draws in the listener and reinforces the idea of this woman's mesmerizing gaze. Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a woman who knows how to use her beauty and charm to get what she wants, with a sense of danger lurking beneath the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
Her hair is Harlow gold
She has beautiful, golden hair akin to that of classic Hollywood star Jean Harlow.
Her lips are sweet surprise
Her lips are stunning and charming, and it's always a pleasant surprise to see them.
Her hands are never cold
She's always warm to the touch, both literally and metaphorically.
She's got Bette Davis eyes
She possesses a captivating, alluring gaze that resembles that of famous actress Bette Davis.
She'll turn the music on you
She has the ability to smoothly and effortlessly change the atmosphere and energy of a room.
You won't have to think twice
She makes it easy for you to fall under her spell, and once you do, you won't look twice.
She's pure as New York snow
She's innocent, unspoiled, and virtuous like the freshly fallen snow in New York.
And she'll tease you, she'll unease you
She enjoys playing with your emotions, testing your limits, and keeping you on edge for her pleasure.
All the better just to please you
She only does this to make you happy; to keep your attention on her and to fulfill your desires.
She's precocious, and she knows just what it takes to make a pro blush
She's intelligent and aware of the effect she has on people, especially those with more experience and knowledge than herself.
She got Greta Garbo's standoff sighs, she's got Bette Davis eyes
She combines the mystique and unapproachable allure of Greta Garbo with the seductive gaze of Bette Davis.
She'll let you take her home
She'll let you take her to your place, but that doesn't mean you have control over her.
It whets her appetite
Being in unfamiliar territory and in a new environment is exciting and stimulating for her.
She'll lay you on the throne
She'll put you in a position of power, but don't get too comfortable because she could take over at any moment.
She'll take a tumble on you
She'll engage in passionate and adventurous sexual activities with you.
Roll you like you were dice
She'll dominate you and manipulate you like a player would roll a pair of dice hoping for a good outcome.
Until you come out blue
She'll take you to the brink of pleasure and leave you feeling helpless and exposed.
She'll expose you, when she snows you
She'll reveal your weaknesses and secrets when she gains your trust through deception and trickery.
Off your feet with the crumbs, she throws you
She'll give you just enough to keep you coming back for more, but won't give you everything; you'll always hunger for more.
She's ferocious and she knows just what it takes to make a pro blush
She's fierce, competitive, and bold, and she knows how to push the boundaries to make even the most seasoned professionals feel uncomfortable.
All the boys think she's a spy, she's got Bette Davis eyes
She's so mysterious and alluring that people can't help but wonder whether she's a spy, but in reality, it's just her captivating gaze.
She'll tease you, she'll unease you, Just to please you, She's got Bette Davis eyes
She'll play with your emotions, keep you on edge, and test your limits all for the sake of pleasing you with her captivating presence.
She'll expose you, when she snows you, She knows you, she's got Bette Davis Eyes
Her alluring gaze and mysterious nature allow her to gain your trust and discover your secrets, giving her the upper hand in any situation.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, KAREN SCHAUBEN PUBLISHING ADMINISTRATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Donna Weiss, Jackie De Shannon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimcarnesofficial
Bette Davis Eyes – 100 million views on YouTube .... I am so honored, and a big fat Thank you to my wonderful , loyal fans..! I appreciate you sooo much!! –Kim
@RUXCKLENEITOR
Thanks for giving me something to connect with my mother. Thanks Kim
@torstenfischer7897
This song is a Evergreen and still and forever in my heart.
@uisisfreitas8137
NINGUÉM ama esta música mais que eu❤💝💖
@parapoliticos52
Bette Davis' eyes deserve it.
They tease you after they seduced you saying to you, '' I like to Kiss you, but i ve just washed my hair..bye!''
@strudelmadness8693
First time hearing this song my favourite now
@oa8491
whoever is hearing this song in nowadays, You have a good taste of music mate.
@NixDarkLord
we're both
@KennedyMusicTheories
Yessssss
@MrChristian331
it's great stuff! It actually tells a good story, not to mentions sounds great! 👍