Can't Take My Eyes Off You#Lauryn Hill version
{{Short description|1967 song recorded by Frankie Valli}}
{{For|the Nancy Wilson album|Can't Take My Eyes Off You (album){{!}}Can't Take My Eyes Off You (album)}}
{{Use American English |date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Can't Take My Eyes Off You
| cover = Can't Take My Eyes Off You.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Cover of the 1967 US single
| type = single
| artist = Frankie Valli
| album = Frankie Valli: Solo{{cite web|title=Official Frankie Valli Site|url=http://www.frankievallifourseasons.com/bio.html|access-date=November 25, 2017}}
| B-side = The Trouble with Me
| released = {{Start date|1967|04}}{{Citation |last1=The Four Seasons |title=Greatest Hits, Volume 2 |date=1991 |url=http://archive.org/details/cd_greatest-hits-volume-2_the-four-seasons-frankie-valli |others=Internet Archive |publisher=Warner Special Products |access-date=January 30, 2023 |last2=Frankie Valli}}
| recorded = April 1967
| studio = A & R (New York City)
| genre = {{hlist|Soul{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03kqf04|work=BBC Radio 4|title=Soul Music: Can't Take My Eyes Off You|date=2013|accessdate=November 14, 2022}}|pop{{cite web|work=Allmusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/cant-take-my-eyes-off-you-mt0009500955|title="Can't Take My Eyes Off You" song review|first=Donald A.|last=Guarisco|accessdate=November 11, 2022}}|pop-soul{{cite web|work=Northern Star|url=https://northernstar.info/100009/lifestyle/lifestyles-weekly-spotify-playlist-65/|title=Lifestyle's weekly Spotify playlist #65|date=November 6, 2022|accessdate=November 13, 2022}}}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=24}}
| label = Philips
| writer = {{hlist|Bob Crewe|Bob Gaudio}}
| producer = Bob Crewe
| prev_title = The Proud One
| prev_year = 1966
| next_title = I Make a Fool of Myself
| next_year = 1967
}}
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a 1967 song written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, and first recorded and released as a single by Gaudio's Four Seasons bandmate 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,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1967-07-22 |title=Billboard Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |date=July 22, 1967 |access-date=July 31, 2015}} making it Valli's biggest solo hit until he hit No. 1 in 1975 with "My Eyes Adored You".{{cite book|title=The Billboard book of number 1 hits|page=398|author=Bronson, Fred}}
Gaudio describes the song 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 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 did not warm to the song at first, but accepted an invitation to hear it live at the Roostertail, where 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 recalled.{{Cite web|url=http://jerseyboysblog.com/the-four-seasons-rocked-at-the-roostertail-in-detroit/4262|title=The Four Seasons Rocked at The Roostertail in Detroit! · Jersey Boys Blog}}
Valli recalled in 2014 that "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" was the first step in the fulfillment of his goal to sing music that did not require him to use falsetto: "I didn't want to sing like that my whole life. Once we established the sound, the plan was that eventually I would do solo [records] and some things I really wanted to do. I was very lucky to make the transition to 'My Eyes Adored You' and 'Swearin' to God', which had none of that." Valli also recalled that the record had been mothballed by The Four Seasons' record company for a year because of their fear that The Four Seasons (who had already lost Nick Massi in 1965) were breaking up, to which Valli insisted that he had no intentions of ever leaving The Four Seasons.{{Cite news |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Frankie Valli on Jersey Boys and His Unlikely Success: 'The Way I Grew Up, It Was Basically Against All Odds' |url=https://parade.com/300325/chriswillman/frankie-valli-on-jersey-boys-and-his-unlikely-success/ |access-date=May 31, 2023 |website=Parade |language=en}}
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" has been recorded in many other arrangements, many of which have charted in different countries.
Credits
The song was written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. Melodic elements bear a similarity to passages from the "Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia" section of the 1956 ballet Spartacus (Suite No. 2) by Aram Khachaturian.{{cite web | url=https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2009/07/violinist-strikes-sparks-with-belated-shostakovich-premiere-at-grant-park/ | title=Chicago Classical Review » » Violinist strikes sparks with belated Shostakovich premiere at Grant Park }}
The original recording, from an arrangement by Gaudio and Artie Schroeck, was made at A & R Studio 2 (formerly Columbia Studio A), at 799 7th Avenue in New York City, with 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."{{cite news|newspaper=Billboard|accessdate=February 27, 2021|date=April 29, 1967|page=16|title=Spotlight Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1967/Billboard%201967-04-29.pdf}} Cash Box called the single a "smooth, gentle, softly spoken romancer".{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=April 29, 1967 |page=22 |access-date=January 12, 2022 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1967/CB-1967-04-29.pdf |magazine=Cash Box}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| align="left"|Chart (1967)
! style="text-align:center;"|Rank |
|---|
| Canada{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.100151.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Singles – January 6, 1968}}
| style="text-align:center;"|18 |
| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1967.htm |title=Musicoutfitters.com |publisher=Musicoutfitters.com |access-date=April 18, 2017}}
| style="text-align:center;"|10 |
| US Cash Box{{cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/1967YESP.html |title=Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1967 |publisher=Tropicalglen.com |date=December 23, 1967 |access-date=April 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930105232/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/1967YESP.html |archive-date=September 30, 2018 |url-status=dead }}
| style="text-align:center;"|3 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons|title=Can't Take My Eyes Off You|award=Gold|relyear=1967|certyear=2025|access-date=February 18, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Frankie Valli|title=Can't Take My Eyes Off You|award=Silver|relyear=2005|certyear=2021|id=1188-757-1|access-date=July 19, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Frankie Valli|title=Can't Take My Eyes Off You|award=Gold|relyear=1967|certyear=1967|access-date=July 19, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
Boys Town Gang version
{{Infobox song
| name = Can't Take My Eyes Off You
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Boys Town Gang
| album = Disc Charge
| released = July 29, 1982
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Disco
| length =
: 3:28 - 7” version
: 9:47 - Album version
| label = Moby Dick
| writer = Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio
| producer = Bill Motley
| prev_title = Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
| prev_year = 1982
| next_title = Brand New Me
| next_year = 1984
}}
In 1982, San Francisco-based post-disco band Boys Town Gang released a dance version of the song which reached the top spot in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain and number four on the United Kingdom singles chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.top40.nl/index.aspx?week=24&jaar=1982 |title=Top 40-lijst van week 24, 1982 |website=Top40.nl |access-date=September 30, 2016}}{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited| location= London| page= 74| isbn= 1-904994-10-5}} This version was also successful in Japan, receiving a gold digital certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) in 2011. The song is a playable track in the 2012 video game Just Dance 4.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG5td9Fkv0E |title="Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Boys Town Gang - Just Dance 4 Track |publisher=Just Dance UK |date=September 28, 2012 |access-date=December 10, 2024 |via=YouTube}}
=Track listings=
7-inch single
- "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" – 3:28
- "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (reprise) – 4:42
7-inch single
- "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" – 3:40
- "Disco Kicks" – 4:04
=Charts=
==Weekly charts==
==Year-end charts==
Lauryn Hill version
{{Infobox song
| name = Can't Take My Eyes Off of You
| cover =
| alt =
| type = song
| artist = Lauryn Hill
| album = The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
| released = August 25, 1998
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Pop
| length = 3:41
| writer = Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio
| producer = Lauryn Hill
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
Lauryn Hill's version of the song was recorded in 1997, while she was eight months pregnant with her first child.{{Cite web|title=The Quietus {{!}} Features {{!}} Anniversary {{!}} 20 Years On: The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill Revisited|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/25157-lauryn-hill-miseducation-review-anniversary|access-date=May 5, 2021|website=The Quietus|date=August 20, 2018 |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=Knowledge Drop: Lauryn Hill Reportedly Recorded "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" While Lying On The Floor |url=https://genius.com/amp/a/lauryn-hill-reportedly-recorded-can-t-take-my-eyes-off-of-you-while-lying-on-the-floor |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=genius.com}} It was first featured in the movie Conspiracy Theory (1997), as was the Frankie Valli version. While the song was not featured on the soundtrack, a radio jockey at KMEL in San Francisco put the song on a CD and began playing it;{{Cite web|title=Lauryn Hill: "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill|url=https://hiddensongs.com/lauryn-hill-the-miseducation-of-lauryn-hill|access-date=May 5, 2021|website=HiddenSongs.com|language=en-US}} more radio stations followed suit, causing a domino effect around the U.S.,{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=lauryn+hill+can%27t+take+my+eyes+off+of+you+single+promotional+single&pg=PA44|title=Billboard|date=March 27, 1999|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=lauryn+hill+can%27t+take+my+eyes+off+of+you+single&pg=PA34|title=Billboard|date=May 9, 1998|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|language=en}} ultimately leading the song to peak at number two on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart, despite Hill's label's not releasing the song as a single.{{cite web|date=May 26, 1975|title=Lauryn Hill | Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lauryn-hill-p222973/charts-awards/billboard-singles|access-date=September 30, 2016|publisher=AllMusic}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LgoEAAAAMBAJ&q=Lauryn+Hill&pg=RA1-PA88|title=Billboard|date=December 5, 1998|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|language=en}} Due to the popularity of the song it was added as a hidden track on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.{{Cite web|title=Knowledge Drop: Lauryn Hill Reportedly Recorded "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" While Lying On The Floor|url=https://genius.com/a/lauryn-hill-reportedly-recorded-can-t-take-my-eyes-off-of-you-while-lying-on-the-floor|access-date=May 5, 2021|website=Genius|language=en}}
This version was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 41st Grammy Awards in 1999, becoming the first hidden track to ever receive a Grammy nomination.{{cite web|last1=Kot|first1=Greg|title=10 NOMINATIONS PUT LAURYN HILL ATOP GRAMMY HEAP|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-01-06-9901060056-story.html|access-date=December 19, 2018|website=chicagotribune.com|date=January 6, 1999 }}{{Cite web|date=January 25, 2015|title=Manna for fans: the history of the hidden track in music|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/25/history-hidden-tracks-musicians-albums|access-date=March 2, 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}} Consequence of Sound named it the best hidden track of all time.{{Cite web|date=July 8, 2014|title=20 Best Hidden Tracks on Albums|url=https://consequence.net/2014/07/20-best-hidden-tracks-on-albums/|access-date=March 2, 2021|website=Consequence of Sound|language=en-US}} In 2014, VH1 also named it the best hidden track of all time.{{Cite web|last=Runtagh|first=Jordan|title=Surprise! The 12 Greatest Hidden Tracks In Music|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/h04i6d/12-greatest-hidden-tracks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528032850/https://www.vh1.com/news/h04i6d/12-greatest-hidden-tracks|url-status=live|archive-date=May 28, 2022|access-date=May 5, 2021|website=VH1 News}} Academy Award–winning actor Forest Whitaker was inspired to name his daughter True, after hearing Hill's version of the song.{{Cite web|title=True Whitaker, Daughter of Forest Whitaker, Is Delighted to Share Her Name With True Thompson, Daughter of Khloé Kardashian|url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/true-whitaker-forest-whitaker-daughter-khloe-kardashian|access-date=October 16, 2021|website=W Magazine|date=April 17, 2018 |language=en}}
=Charts=
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1998–1999) !Peak |
| Australia (ARIA){{Cite web|title=australian-charts.com – Discography Lauryn Hill|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Lauryn+Hill|access-date=March 2, 2021|website=australian-charts.com}}
| align="center" |8 |
| US Rhythmic (Billboard){{Cite news|title=Lauryn Hill|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/lauryn-hill/chart-history/tfc/|access-date=March 2, 2021|newspaper=Billboard}}
| align="center" |2 |
| US Hot 100 Airplay{{Cite magazine|title=Lauryn Hill|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/lauryn-hill/chart-history/hsb/|access-date=March 2, 2021|magazine=Billboard}}
| align="center" |35 |
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Lauryn Hill|title=Can't Take My Eyes Off You|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=April 3, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Lauryn Hill|title=Can't Take My Eyes Off You|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|id=20476-1612-1|access-date=November 6, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
Other cover versions
The song has been recorded by many artists. Among the most notable examples are the following:
- In late 1967, the Lettermen recorded the "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" as a medley with "Goin' Out of My Head", which was featured on their album The Lettermen!! ...And Live! that same year. Their rendition reached number 7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 Easy Listening.{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |authorlink= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=139}}
- In 1968, Andy Williams' version from his 1967 album Love, Andy made it to number 5 on the UK singles chart and number 8 on the Irish Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/uk-top-40-singles-chart/19680501/750140 |title=Official Singles Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company |website=Officialcharts.com |access-date=September 30, 2016}} The arranger and producer was Nick DeCaro and the conductor was Eddie Karam.Love, Andy by Andy Williams, album sleeve, 1967. New York: Columbia Records CS 9566 In 2002 he recorded a new version of the song for his compilation album The Essential Andy Williams, as a duet with British actress and singer Denise van Outen, which reached number 23 in the UK singles charts.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/uk-top-40-singles-chart/20020623/750140 |title=Official Singles Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company |website=Officialcharts.com |access-date=September 30, 2016}}
- In 1968, Engelbert Humperdinck included a cover of the song on his album A Man Without Love, which stayed on the UK official albums chart for 45 weeks, peaking at number 3.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/17134/engelbert-humperdinck/ |title=Engelbert Humperdinck |website=Officalcharts.com |access-date=February 13, 2025}}
- Maureen McGovern released her cover for her self-titled album as a single in 1979 (number 27 on the US Adult Contemporary chart in 1979; number 5 Canadian AC in 1980).{{cite web |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.9258&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=2vo7nds4pse2i889njf2aru315 |title=Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=September 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601164200/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.9258&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=2vo7nds4pse2i889njf2aru315 |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
- In 1986, Electronic Italo-disco singer Ross recorded "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" with some success on radio stations in Mexico.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}
- In 1991, the Pet Shop Boys recorded "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)", a medley of the song with U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name", which reached number 4 in the U.K. and number 72 in the U.S. and was featured on their compilation album Discography: The Complete Singles Collection.{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pet-shop-boys/chart-history |title=Pet Shop Boys Chart History {{!}} Billboard |website=www.billboard.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111220255/http://www.billboard.com/music/pet-shop-boys/chart-history |archive-date=November 11, 2017}}
- In 1992, Dutch singers Gerard Joling and Tatjana Šimić recorded a duet version of the song (including a rap segment by Darrell Bell) for Joling's album Eye to Eye, which peaked at number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 charts.{{cite web|url=http://members.chello.nl/m.jans1/1992.html |title=JAARLIJST 1992 |website=Members.chello.nl |access-date=September 30, 2016}}
- In 1993, Morten Harket recorded a cover of the song, produced by Stephen Hague, for the ending of the film Coneheads.{{cite web |title=1993 - dark is the night... |url=https://a-hadiary.co.uk/1993.htm |website=a-ha diary |access-date=9 March 2025 |location=United Kingdom |date=June 1993}}{{cite web |title=Hooks 'N' You: Morten Harket, "Wild Seed" |url=https://popdose.com/hooks-n-you-morten-harket-wild-seed/ |website=Popdose |access-date=10 March 2025 |date=23 June 2008}}
- In 2010, fans of the German football club 1. FC Union Berlin started using the melody for a chant for their player Torsten Mattuschka, inspired by Manchester United F.C. fans who used it for their player Owen Hargreaves.{{cite web |last1=Roßbach |first1=Daniel |last2=Fiebrig |first2=Sebastian |title=#22 – Wie Torsten Mattuschka zu seinem Lied kam |url=https://und-niemals-vergessen-podcast.de/22-wie-torsten-mattuschka-zu-seinem-lied-kam/ |website=Und niemals vergessen |access-date=August 30, 2022 |language=German |date=November 18, 2019}}{{importance inline|date=April 2023}}
- In 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.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15995644.stm|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20111203174237/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15995644.stm|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 3, 2011|title=BBC Sport – Kelly Jones sings Gary Speed tribute|website=wayback.archive-it.org}}
- In 2019, Surf Mesa released a tropical house cover of the song called "ILY (I Love You Baby)", featuring vocals by Emilee Flood for the EP Another Life. Upon being re-released in 2020, it became a top 40 hit in many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Unlike other cover versions, this cover is based solely around the chorus of the original Frankie Valli composition, and was renamed to reflect that.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/tik-tok-hits-changing-titles-983383/|title=You Have a TikTok Hit! Now, Quick — Change the Title|last=Leight|first=Elias|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 16, 2020|accessdate=December 15, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.elyrics.net/read/f/frankie-valli-lyrics/can_t-take-my-eyes-off-of-you-lyrics.html Lyrics of this song]
- {{YouTube|DYwQy_9JPtQ|Frankie Valli – Can't Take My Eyes Off You}}
{{The Four Seasons}}
{{Andy Williams}}
{{Jimmy Somerville}}
{{Nancy Wilson}}
{{The Lettermen}}
{{Lauryn Hill}}{{Anni-Frid Lyngstad}}{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Bob Crewe
Category:Songs written by Bob Gaudio
Category:The Four Seasons (band) songs
Category:Jay and the Americans songs
Category:Nancy Wilson (jazz singer) songs
Category:Maureen McGovern songs
Category:Oricon International Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Bob Crewe
Category:Philips Records singles