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Way back in 1934, songwriters Harry Warren and Al Dubin were tasked with writing songs for “Dames,” a movie musical starring Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. One of the songs they came up with was an instant hit...with the Powell & Keeler version of “I Only Have Eyes For You,” and several other recordings of the song getting radio airplay. Sheet music sales were brisk as well—and in those days, that's one-way you could tell you had a hit on your hands!
Twenty-Five years later, in 1959, the Flamingos took a romantic do-wop version to #3 on Billboard's Rhythm & Blues chart and #11 on the Hot 100. Rolling Stone Magazine ranks THIS version at #157 on their list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time!”
Then, in 1975, Art Garfunkel released a version that went to #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart and #18 on the Hot 100. His golden tenor voice was pitch perfect for the song...and millions of people agreed—including a young TV producer named Lorne Michaels, who asked Art to sing it on the second episode of his new show: “NBC's Saturday Night (Live),” hosted by...Paul Simon!
“I Only Have Eyes for You:” A “Great Song of 1934, 1959 and 1975!”
Art Garfunkel:
The Flamingos:
Dick Powell & Ruby Keeler:
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