"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.
"Sweet Sexy Eyes" | ||||
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Single by Cristy Lane | ||||
from the album Ask Me to Dance | ||||
B-side | "Maybe I'm Thinkin'" | |||
Released | August 1980 | |||
Recorded | November 1979 | |||
Studio | LSI Studio | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:47 | |||
Label | United Artists | |||
Songwriter(s) | Robert Jenkins | |||
Producer(s) | Jerry Gillespie | |||
Cristy Lane singles chronology | ||||
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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]
"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]
7" vinyl single[3]
Chart (1980) | Peak position |
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Canada Country Songs (RPM)[6] | 16 |
US Hot Country Singles (Billboard)[5] | 8 |