Hungry Eyes - Eric Carmen (1987) 8/29/23

Sometimes making a major "life" decision, doesn't turn out quite the way you planned. Such was the case with Eric Carmen.

Eric spent most of the '70s writing and performing Great Songs like "Go All the Way" and "Overnight Sensation" with his group, The Raspberries. Later in the decade, as a solo artist, he spent his time writing and performing hits like "All By Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again." (We've highlighted all of those songs in the past.)

But when the '80s rolled around, Eric made a decision to stop performing and stick to songwriting. He claimed he never liked his voice anyway, and as strictly a songwriter, he would have more time to relax and live a quieter, more normal life.

So Eric left California and moved back to his native Ohio, and concentrated on writing--when he felt like it.

Fate, however, had other plans.

One day, Eric's old producer, Jimmy Ienner, called him with a proposition. Jimmy was working on the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack, and had a song he felt was perfect for Eric to record.

Eric was hesitant, so Jimmy sent him a demo to tempt him. Eric thought it sounded like a strange cross between Air Supply and Led Zeppelin. (His words, not mine!).

On the other hand, he thought there were some possibilities...and the next thing you know, Eric recorded the song, the film was released, the soundtrack sold 19 MILLION copies, and "Hungry Eyes" was sitting at #2 on the charts in both the US and Canada!

Eric was reluctantly a performer again...but with a slight difference: He didn't write it! Frankie Previte and John DeNicola of the group Frankie & the Knockouts had the honors.

Refresher: In the film, the song was used under the collage of Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey were practicing their dance.

"Hungry Eyes" from "Dirty Dancing:" a Great Song of 1987 performed by Eric Carmen--even though it intrerrupted his semi-retirement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ssCL292DQA

Tomorrow: UB40 covers Neil Diamond...without realizing it!