Can't Take My Eyes Off You

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For the Nancy Wilson album, see Can't Take My Eyes Off You (album).
"I Love You Baby" redirects here. For the films of that name, see I Love You Baby (film) and I Love You, Baby.
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
Can't Take My Eyes Off You.jpg
Cover of the 1967 US single
Single by Frankie Valli
from the album Frankie Valli: Solo[1]
B-side"The Trouble with Me"
ReleasedApril 1967 (1967-04)
RecordedApril 1967
GenrePop rock
Length3:24
LabelPhilips
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Bob Crewe
Frankie Valli singles chronology
"The Proud One"
(1966) 		"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
(1967) 		"I Make a Fool of Myself"
(1967)

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a 1967 song written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. It was recorded as a single by Frankie Valli. The song was among his biggest hits, earning a gold record and reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a week, stuck behind "Windy" by the Association.[2] Gaudio was a bandmate of Valli's in the Four Seasons. It was Valli's biggest solo hit until he hit No. 1 in 1975 with "My Eyes Adored You".[3]

Bob Gaudio, an original member of the Four Seasons, refers to "Eyes" as "...the one that almost got away" until Windsor, Ontario radio station CKLW (a station also serving the Detroit metro on the American side of the border) intervened. In 1967, the record's producers urged Paul Drew, program director at the legendary station, to consider the tune for rotation. For much of the 1960s and 1970s, CKLW was credited with launching hit records via its powerful signal, blanketing the Great Lakes region. Drew didn't warm to the song at first, but accepted an invitation to hear it live at the Roostertail, where Frankie Valli was performing a weeklong stint with the Four Seasons. Drew liked what he heard and added the song to his station's playlist. "The switchboards lit up, and the rest, as they say, is history," Gaudio recalls.[4]

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" has been recorded in many other arrangements, many of which have been on the charts in different countries. The song is a staple of television and film soundtracks, even being featured as part of the plot of some films, such as when the lead characters sing or arrange their own version of the song. The Valli version was also used by NASA as a wake-up song on the STS-126 Space Shuttle mission, to celebrate the wedding anniversary of astronaut Christopher Ferguson, one of the mission's crew members.[citation needed]

Credits[]

The song was written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. Arrangement was done by Artie Schroeck and Gaudio. The original recording was made at A & R Studio 2 (formerly Columbia Studio A) 799 7th Avenue in New York City, with Bob Crewe producing and Phil Ramone engineering.

Reception[]

Billboard described the single as "strong rhythm ballad material from the pen of Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio with an exceptional Valli vocal combined with an exciting Artie Schroeck arrangement."[5]

Charts[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[13] Silver 200,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[14] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Boys Town Gang version[]

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
Single by Boys Town Gang
from the album Disc Charge
ReleasedJuly 29, 1982
Recorded1982
GenrePost-disco
Length3:28
LabelMoby Dick
Songwriter(s)Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio
Producer(s)Bill Motley
Boys Town Gang singles chronology
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"
(1982) 		"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
(1982) 		"Brand New Me"
(1984)

In 1982, San Francisco based disco band Boys Town Gang performed a disco version of the song which reached number one in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and number four in the United Kingdom.[15][16] This version was also successful in Japan, receiving a gold digital certification by the RIAJ in 2011, and is also on games such as Just Dance 4.

Track listings[]

7" single

  1. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" - 3:28
  2. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (Reprise) - 4:42

7" single

  1. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" - 3:40
  2. "Disco Kicks" - 4:04

Charts[]

Chart (1982) Peak
position
Belgian Singles Chart[17] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[18] 1
Irish Singles Chart 5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 1
UK Singles Chart[20] 4
West German Singles Chart 43

Lauryn Hill version[]

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
Song by Lauryn Hill
from the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
ReleasedAugust 25, 1998
GenrePop
Length3:41
LabelRuffhouse Columbia
Songwriter(s)Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio
Producer(s)Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill’s version of the song, was recorded In 1997, while Hill was eight months pregnant with her first child.[21] It was first featured in the movie, Conspiracy Theory (1997). While the song wasn’t featured on the soundtrack, a radio jockey at KMEL in San Francisco put the song on a CD, and began playing the song;[22] more radio stations followed suit, causing a domino effect around the U.S.,[23][24] ultimately leading the song to peak at number two on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart, despite Hill's label not releasing the song as a single.[25][26] Due to the popularity of the song it was added as a hidden track on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.[27]

This version was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1999, becoming the first hidden track to be receive a Grammy nomination.[28][29] Consequence of Sound named it the best hidden track of all time.[30] In 2014, VH1 also named it the best hidden track of all time.[31]

Charts[]

Chart (1998-1999) Peak
position
Australia ARIA Charts[32] 8
US Rhythmic (chart)[33] 2
US Hot 100 Airplay (Radio Songs)[34] 35

Other cover versions[]

The song has been recorded by many artists. Among the most notable examples are the following:

  • A version by Andy Williams made it to #5 on the UK singles chart and #8 on the Irish Singles Chart in 1968.[35] The arranger and producer was Nick DeCaro and the conductor was Eddie Karam.[36] This version is included in the soundtrack of the 2001 film Bridget Jones's Diary. It is also included in the soundtrack for Black Mirror Season 5 Episode 2; Smithereens.[37] In 2002 he recorded a new version of the song, as a duet with British actress and singer Denise van Outen, which reached #23 in the UK singles charts.[38]
  • 1979, Maureen McGovern (#27 on the US Adult Contemporary chart in 1979; #5 Canadian AC in 1980).[39]
  • 1991, Pet Shop Boys used part of the song on their version of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name", which reached #4 in the U.K. and #72 in the U.S.[40]
  • 1992, Dutch singers Gerard Joling and Tatjana Šimić recorded a duet version of the song (including a rap segment by Darrell Bell), which peaked at #5 in the Dutch Top 40 charts.[41]
  • 2004, Jennifer Peña recorded a Latin version of the song, "No Hay Nadie Igual Como Tú", which reached #33 on the Latin charts.
  • 2011, Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones sang an acoustic version of the song in tribute to former Wales national football team manager Gary Speed. The song was adopted as an anthem for Welsh football fans during Speed's playing career with Wales after being used in a BBC Wales promo for the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign.[42]
  • In 2019, Surf Mesa remixed a cover version of the song as a single under the title "ILY (I Love You Baby)". The single reached the Top 40 in over 30 countries, and is certified Platinum in six countries.

References[]

  1. ^ "Official Frankie Valli Site". Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  2. ^ "Billboard Hot 100". 1967-07-22. Retrieved 2015-07-31.
  3. ^ Bronson, Fred. The Billboard book of number 1 hits. p. 398.
  4. ^ "The Four Seasons Rocked at The Roostertail in Detroit! · Jersey Boys Blog".
  5. ^ "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. April 29, 1967. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  6. ^ "Go-Set National Top 40, 27 September 1967". Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  7. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - July 15, 1967" (PDF).
  8. ^ "Frankie Valli Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  9. ^ "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, July 15, 1967". Tropicalglen.com. December 23, 1967. Archived from the original on September 30, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  10. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - January 6, 1968" (PDF).
  11. ^ "Musicoutfitters.com". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  12. ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1967". Tropicalglen.com. December 23, 1967. Archived from the original on September 30, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  13. ^ "British single certifications – Frankie Valli – Can't Take My Eyes Off You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  14. ^ "American single certifications – Frankie Valli – Can't Take My Eyes Off You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  15. ^ "Top 40-lijst van week 24, 1982". Top40.nl. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  16. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 74. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  17. ^ "Boys Town Gang - Can't Take My Eyes Off You". ultratop.be.
  18. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 24, 1982" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  19. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Boys Town Gang - Can't Take My Eyes Off You". hitparade.ch.
  20. ^ chartsurfer.de.
  21. ^ "The Quietus | Features | Anniversary | 20 Years On: The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill Revisited". The Quietus. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  22. ^ "Lauryn Hill: "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill". HiddenSongs.com. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  23. ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1999-03-27). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
  24. ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1998-05-09). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
  25. ^ "Lauryn Hill | Awards". AllMusic. 1975-05-26. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  26. ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1998-12-05). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
  27. ^ "Knowledge Drop: Lauryn Hill Reportedly Recorded "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" While Lying On The Floor". Genius. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  28. ^ Kot, Greg. "10 NOMINATIONS PUT LAURYN HILL ATOP GRAMMY HEAP". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  29. ^ "Manna for fans: the history of the hidden track in music". the Guardian. 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  30. ^ "20 Best Hidden Tracks on Albums". Consequence of Sound. 2014-07-08. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  31. ^ Runtagh 4/16/2014, Jordan. "Surprise! The 12 Greatest Hidden Tracks In Music". VH1 News. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  32. ^ "australian-charts.com - Discography Lauryn Hill". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  33. ^ "Lauryn Hill". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  34. ^ "Lauryn Hill". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  35. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  36. ^ Love, Andy by Andy Williams, album sleeve, 1967. New York: Columbia Records CS 9566
  37. ^ "Andy Williams - Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Black Mirror Season 5 Original Soundtrack)". youtube.com.
  38. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  39. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  40. ^ https://www.billboard.com/music/pet-shop-boys/chart-history
  41. ^ "JAARLIJST 1992". Members.chello.nl. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  42. ^ "BBC Sport - Kelly Jones sings Gary Speed tribute". wayback.archive-it.org. Archived from the original on 2011-12-03.

External links[]

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