Carnes is an accomplished songwriter, having written a number of tunes recorded by superstar Kenny Rogers and several other name country artists. She had other vocal releases, the most notable being “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer,” a duet with Kenny Rogers. However, Carnes was never able to match the success of “Bette Davis Eyes.” She was 36 years of age, on the upper end of the scale for your typical up and coming pop star, when this one went big. Last I heard, Carnes was living in Nashville. This “Found Performance” has been doctored a bit to improve the quality of this 40-year-old recording. (The video is at ad free Vimeo, so click on the play button 2x- first to go to Vimeo and the second time to start the video.)
Only a few years ago, Carnes was (and may still be) out performing. In this video below — from a casino resort in Niagara Falls, Canada — Carnes was singing her signature song at age 70. (And there is yet another video online of her performing “Bette” at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.) I think it is interesting to compare the two performances — Yesterday and Today. (It’s at Vimeo, so click the start button 2x.)
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September 5, 2020 at QZVX
Martin R. Howell says:
I see no stage presence, no charisma, and an inability to play to the camera. I wish I had not seen this.
September 5, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
I always liked the song from way back. I like the original video, but agree that she seems stiff on stage. I think she was missing that rock star fire in the belly and probably was more a songwriter than a charismatic performer. The second video was pretty low key and long past her days of stardom but I thought she came across as a pretty nice person.
September 5, 2020 at QZVX
Martin R. Howell says:
Well I guess she got something right. An internet search reveals her net worth to be around 8 million smackers!
September 5, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Martin…that seems to be true.
September 5, 2020 at QZVX
Gordy Iverson says:
I loved Kim Karnes’ Bette Davis Eyes when it was current, and now. Thanks for the ‘find’.
September 5, 2020 at QZVX
Jay Hamilton says:
Steve ~ I enjoyed both videos, but I’ve always been a fan of singers who just come on stage & sing … I don’t need the flamboyant costumes & on stage antics. Was especially fascinated with video #2 & Kim reminiscing about the arranging & recording process of her hit. She is perhaps the epitome of great female singers with great raspy voices!
“Bette Davis Eyes” always reminds me of my good friend & neighbor Connie Cezon. Connie live directly across the courtyard from my apartment, just off Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood, when I lived in LA in the late 60s. Connie literally had Bette Davis Eyes! She was a movie & TV actress & among her acting credits was the fact she was “the on-screen double” for actress Bette Davis … partially due to those eyes! She also had the reoccurring role of “Gertie”, the receptionist, on the original “Perry Mason” TV series … plus she appeared numerous times on “The Abbott & Costello” & “Three Stooges” TV shows. She was a terrific comic foil. ~ Let me give you a chance take a look at those “Bette Davis Eyes” of my friend Connie Cezon:
Here’s Connie on Perry Mason (1957):
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0050051/mediaviewer/rm2135992833
Connie in The Three Stooges movie “Corny Casanova” (1952):
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0044514/mediaviewer/rm1471722497
Connie on “The Abbott & Costello Show” (1952):
https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0149201/mediaviewer/rm4166829056
Thanks to cable TV I’m able to see Connie appear on one of these old TV shows every now and then. Connie and her Bette Davis Eyes!!
September 5, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Your friend Connie did have those eyes. I am sure I saw her on Perry Mason. Liked it as a teen.
September 5, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Jay…I liked the dramatic presentation in this particular one, but I know what you mean.
September 6, 2020 at QZVX
Jay Hamilton says:
Steve ~ When I met Connie Cezon she was in her early 40s & had basically retired from show-biz. She’d opened a small pet supplies shop on Melrose Ave., just across the alley from our apartment complex, which eventually evolved into a cat-boarding service called Connie’s Kitty Castle. I’ve seen publicity pix of Connie emphasizing those “Bette Davis Eyes” … especially photos with Ms Davis taken during the filming of the 1964 thriller “Dead Ringer”. • Sadly Connie died in 2004 at 78 … but as I mentioned, I’m thrilled to see her & her “Bette Davis Eyes” every now & then on MeTV and other cable channels that rerun old TV shows.