Soul Eyes

{{Short description|Composition by Mal Waldron}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Soul Eyes

| cover =

| alt =

| type = Composition

| artist = Mal Waldron

| album = Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 Tenors

| language = English

| released =

| format =

| recorded = March 22, 1957

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Jazz

| length = 17:31

| label = Prestige

| composer = Mal Waldron

| lyricist =

| producer = Bob Weinstock

}}

"Soul Eyes" is a composition, with lyrics, written by Mal Waldron.Ratliff, Ben (December 6, 2002) [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/06/arts/mal-waldron-77-composer-of-the-jazz-ballad-soul-eyes.html "Mal Waldron, 77, Composer of the Jazz Ballad 'Soul Eyes'"]. The New York Times. It is a 32-bar ballad that takes the song form ABAC,Levine, Mark (1995) The Jazz Theory Book. Sher Music. p. 388. and is written in 4/4 time. It was first recorded on March 22, 1957, for the album Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 Tenors.Gioia, Ted (2012) The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire. Oxford University Press. pp. 388–390. One of the tenor saxophonists on that recording was John Coltrane, who brought the song back to attention by recording it in 1962 for his album Coltrane, when he had become more famous. This was only the second ever recording of the song, which has since become "part of the basic repertory of jazz performers" – a jazz standard. Waldron wrote the piece with Coltrane in mind: "I liked Coltrane's sound and I thought the melody would fit it."Wilson, John S. (November 13, 1981) "Mal Waldron back in a Solo Concert" The New York Times. p. C17.

Since these early versions, the song has been recorded hundreds of times.[http://www.allmusic.com/search/songs/%26quot%3Bsoul%2Beyes%26quot%3B "Soul Eyes"]. AllMusic. Retrieved June 19, 2014. A vocal version is on Vanessa Rubin's debut album in 1992;New Pittsburgh Courier (April 08, 1992) "Vanessa Rubin Steps out Strong as Jazz Vocalist with 'Soul Eyes' Album". another comparatively rare vocal version, featuring Jeanne Lee, is available on Waldron's 1997 album entitled Soul Eyes.Carr, Ian; Digby Fairweather; Brian Priestley (2004) The Rough Guide to Jazz (3rd edn). Rough Guides. p. 824. In 2016, the song became the title track of Kandace Springs' debut album.{{cite news|last=Fordham |first=John |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jul/07/kandace-springs-soul-eyes-review-acoustic-blue-note|title=Kandace Springs: Soul Eyes Review|date=July 7, 2016 |work=The Guardian }}