Sweet Sexy Eyes

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"Sweet Sexy Eyes"
Single by Cristy Lane
from the album Ask Me to Dance
B-side"Maybe I'm Thinkin'"
ReleasedAugust 1980 (1980-08)
RecordedNovember 1979 (1979-11)
StudioLSI Studio
Genre
Length2:47
LabelUnited Artists
Songwriter(s)Robert Jenkins
Producer(s)Jerry Gillespie
Cristy Lane singles chronology
"One Day at a Time"
(1980)
"Sweet Sexy Eyes"
(1980)
"I Have a Dream"
(1980)

"Sweet Sexy Eyes" is a song written by Robert Jenkins that was originally recorded by American Christian and country singer Cristy Lane. It was released as a single via United Artists Records in August 1980 and reached major positions on the North American country charts. The song received positive reviews following its release.

Background and recording

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In the late 1970s, Cristy Lane achieved commercial country music success with hits like "Let Me Down Easy", "Shake Me I Rattle" and "I Just Can't Stay Married to You". In 1980, she had her biggest hit with Christian-themed "One Day at a Time". Its follow-up single ("Sweet Sexy Eyes") would also become a major hit in 1980.[2] "Sweet Sexy Eyes" was a song composed by Robert Jenkins. It was recorded in November 1979 at LSI Studios, a Nashville, Tennessee recording studio owned by Lane's husband and manager Lee Stoller. The session was produced by Jerry Gillespie, a songwriter whom Lane had previously cut songs by. It was among her first experiences recording with Gillespie.[3]

Release and reception

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"Sweet Sexy Eyes" was first released on Lane's fifth studio album in March 1980 titled Ask Me to Dance. On the disc, the song was titled "Sexy Eyes".[4] In August 1980, it was issued as a single on United Artists Records under the name "Sweet Sexy Eyes". It was backed on the B-side with the song "Maybe I'm Thinkin", which was also taken from Lane's fifth studio album.[3] Spending multiple weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, "Sweet Sexy Eyes" eventually peaked at number eight on the survey. It was her final single to reach a top ten position on the chart.[5] In addition, the single also peaked at number 16 on the RPM Country Songs list in Canada, becoming her final top 20 single there.[6] "Sweet Sexy Eyes" received positive reviews from writers, including Greg Adams who called its production "slick pop", along with Lane's "well-enunciated" singing style.[1] Lindsay Planer of AllMusic described it as a "power ballad" that demonstrated "Lane's ability to effortlessly vacillate between edgier material and a comparatively affective performance style."[7]

Track listing

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7" vinyl single[3]

  • "Sweet Sexy Eyes" – 2:47
  • "Maybe I'm Thinkin'" – 3:07

Charts

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Chart (1980) Peak
position
Canada Country Songs (RPM)[6] 16
US Hot Country Singles (Billboard)[5] 8

References

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  1. ^ a b c Adams, Cristy. "Ask Me to Dance: Cristy Lane: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  2. ^ Manheim, James. "Cristy Lane: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Lane, Cristy (August 1980). ""Sweet Sexy Eyes"/"Maybe I'm Thinkin'" (7" vinyl single)". United Artists Records. UA-X1369-Y.
  4. ^ Lane, Cristy (March 1980). "Ask Me to Dance (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". United Artists Records. LT-1023.
  5. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  6. ^ a b "Search results for "Cristy Lane" (Country Singles)". RPM. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  7. ^ Planer, Lindsay. "Greatest Country Hits: Cristy Lane". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 May 2021.