JoJo Siwa’s cowl of “Bette Davis Eyes” is making waves throughout social media — and seemingly with singer Kim Carnes, who popularized the hit within the ’80s.
Carnes, 79, seemingly supplied her absorb a since-deleted Instagram submit shared by way of Reddit on Wednesday, July 9. “There’s a distinction between singing a tune … And embodying it,” Carnes reportedly wrote. “I’ve at all times believed authenticity is what makes music timeless … I’m without end grateful to be the voice behind this one … Bette Davis Eyes.”
Whereas Carnes’ submit didn’t explicitly title Siwa, 22, many followers theorized that the comment was a reference to her current cowl. Earlier this week, the Dance Mothers alum shared a snippet of herself singing “Bette Davis Eyes” in an Instagram video.
“After performing this tune stay after which seeing the gorgeous response to it, I made a decision to go document a studio vocal,” she wrote on Monday, July 7. “I’m undecided if I ought to launch it on Spotify or not…. Would you need me to?!!!🤍 if you happen to would, I’m considering perhaps finish of this week?”
Siwa additionally shared one other snippet with the caption, “Interested by releasing it this Friday, however nonetheless uncertain. sharing a lil little bit of verse 1 to see if you happen to suppose I ought to or not!”
On Thursday, July 10, Siwa confirmed that she’s planning to formally launch the observe as a single. “My cowl of ‘Bette Davis Eyes’ is popping out TONIGHT at midnight:) will probably be obtainable for streaming all over the place you take heed to music!” she wrote by way of Instagram.
Carnes launched “Bette Davis Eyes” in March 1981, and it peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100. Whereas the tune is technically a canopy — it was initially recorded by cowriter Jackie DeShannon in 1974 — Carnes’ model is the one which turned a success.
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Final 12 months, Carnes defined that DeShannon’s cowriter, Donna Weiss, introduced her the demo, however she didn’t initially like what she heard.
“I liked the lyrics however not the texture. After we had been in rehearsal for my album, Invoice Cuomo, my longtime keyboard genius, got here up with completely completely different chords and a haunting vibe,” Carnes defined by way of Instagram in October 2024. “I stated to my band, ‘Gary Newman‘s Automobiles document!’ … It was a complete collaboration! Invoice Cuomo has by no means gotten the credit score he deserves for fully altering the vibe and the chords. Invoice made all of the distinction!!!”
Whereas Siwa’s cowl is making headlines, she’s not the primary individual to place their very own spin on the observe. Gwyneth Paltrow carried out a model of the hit for her 2000 film Duets, and Taylor Swift launched a stay version of the tune after singing it on her Communicate Now World Tour. Ethel Cain additionally lined the tune on tour final 12 months and earlier this month launched “F*** Me Eyes,” which some followers have interpreted as a kind of religious sequel to Carnes’ observe.
