“Bette Davis Eyes” is a song originally written and composed by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon. However, the most well-known version of the song was recorded by Kim Carnes in 1981.
The song features a driving beat with synthesizers and guitars, and Carnes’ raspy voice delivers the lyrics with an air of confidence and attitude. The lyrics themselves are an ode to a woman with “Bette Davis eyes,” referencing the legendary actress known for her intense, smoldering gaze.
The song’s opening lines set the tone for the rest of the track:
“Her hair is Harlow gold
Her lips sweet surprise
Her hands are never cold
She’s got Bette Davis eyes”
As the song progresses, Carnes describes the mysterious woman with the captivating gaze and how she has a way of drawing people in:
“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”
The chorus repeats the title phrase, with Carnes singing, “She’s got Bette Davis eyes” over a catchy melody that sticks in the listener’s head.
Overall, “Bette Davis Eyes” is a song with a powerful and seductive energy, driven by Carnes’ vocals and the iconic imagery of Bette Davis’ legendary eyes.
