Origin: I Only Have Eyes for You (Dubin/Warren)

Subject: The 'Original' 'I only have eyes for you
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 01:11 PM

Although I enjoyed the Art Gunfunkel cover of the song I LOVED the original (or at least fifties-sixties) version of "I only have eyes for you" (great weird harmonies and chords). Anyone remember who sang it? The Platters? The Flamingoes?

Any ideas? Thanks.

Rick

Subject: RE: The 'Original' 'I only have eyes for you
From: Amos
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 01:17 PM

Actually, I learned it from an Al Jolsen recording!

A

Subject: RE: The 'Original' 'I only have eyes for you
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 01:25 PM

The Flamingos did it. Billie Holliday did it - see this
link to Amazon.com - Vol.3 Original Jazz Legends

Subject: RE: The 'Original' 'I only have eyes for you
From: Frug
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 02:04 PM

Rick........original version appears to be written by Al Dubin and Harry Warren in 1934 for a musical called dames. I'll keep you posted on what I find else.

Keep on Truckin Bro'
Frank

Subject: RE: The 'Original' 'I only have eyes for you
From: Allan C.
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 02:27 PM

I'm betting that the harmonies and chords you have stuck in your mind are probably those of the Lettermen. They had a way of doing that kind of thing with most of their songs, such as, "When I Fall In Love (it will be forever)". Gosh, I wonder how many parties I attended that played Lettermen and Mathis albums in the later hours...

Of course, while nearly everyone else was in the corners making out or else dancing real close, I was in the next room singing and playing folk music with the other dateless people there.

Subject: RE: The 'Original' 'I only have eyes for you
From: Allan C.
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 02:31 PM

Now that I think on it a bit more, I'm inclined to believe it may have been the Four Lads instead. They did some tricky stuff as well.

Subject: RE: The 'Original' 'I only have eyes for you
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 04:33 PM

AMG – The All-Music Guide lists 560 recordings of this song! You might try browsing through them to see if any names ring a bell.

By the way, I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU was written by Al Dubin (words) and Harry Warren (music). This page says it was written for the 1934 musical "Dames". IMDb says this film was directed by Busby Berkeley and starred Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. It also featured the songs "Dames", "Shuffle Off to Buffalo", and "The Girl at the Ironing Board" by the same songwriters.

Subject: RE: The 'Original' 'I only have eyes for you
From: pattyClink
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 04:56 PM

The version on the American Graffiti soundtrack is credited to the Flamingos. Most 'hit lists' involving this song also credit Flamingos.