American Top 40 Flashback - "Bette Davis Eyes"

For me, this is one of the great one-time shots in the history of rock and pop music. Yes, I know that Kim Carnes had a successful career, and probably had other songs that hit the charts. But nothing she did (has done?) over the course of her career comes close to what she achieved with this song.

And yes, one could argue that it was really nothing more than a slice of well-crafted, well-produced L.A. pop. But at the time, it fit right in with what was going on in the musical world, and today it sounds just right on a mix-tape tucked in between songs by New Order and Wall of Voodoo. I know, because I have just such a tape.

"Bette Davis Eyes," by Kim Carnes. The #1 song this week, in 1981.