THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

396-Flamingos-I Only Have Eyes for You.

1959-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.14. One of the most fascinating things about compiling this list is noting the progression in Popular music. The Flamingos were influenced by groups such as The Mills Brothers, and The Ink Spots, and in turn The Temptations have publicly stated the debt they owe the Flamingos.

The Flamingos were formed in Chicago, Illinois, United States in 1953, and are considered one of the most influential vocal groups in Pop, and ‘Doo-Wop’ music history. None of the original quintet of Jake Carey, (bass) Zeke Carey, (second tenor) Paul Wilson, (first tenor) Paul Carter, and Earl Lewis are still alive, but Tommy Hunt who joined the group in 1956, and left to pursue a solo career in 1961, and Terry Johnson who joined in 1958 and still tours with three others as The Flamingos to this day, both performed on this song. Tommy Hunt is best remembered in the UK, and particularly by fans of ‘Northern Soul’ music for his 1976 Number 28 single ‘Loving on the Losing Side.’ The Flamingos have released nine studio Albums between 1953-1976, and 53 singles. In America they have only reached the Billboard top 40 twice, with this song reaching Number 11 in 1959, while in the UK their only charting song was ‘The Boogaloo Party’ which made Number 26 in 1966.

‘I Only Have Eyes for You’ was written by Harry Warren (1893-1981) who provided the music, and Al Dubin (1891-1945) who wrote the lyrics. The song was written for the 1934 Warner Brothers musical comedy ‘Dames,’ and was first performed in the film by the actors Dick Powell (1904-1963) and Ruby Keeler. (1909-1993) There were two popular versions of the song released in 1934, one by Ben Selvin (1898-1980) with vocals by Howard Phillips (1899-1992) and the other by Eddy Duchin (1909-1951) with vocals by Lew Sherwood (1903-1971) and Jane Froman (1907-1980.) The other significant recording of the song was by Art Garfunkel (see also best songs 529-200-96 and 71) who took his version to Number 1 in the UK for two weeks in 1975.Harry Warren (see also best songs 775 and 321) was born Salvatore Antonio Guaragna on December 24th, 1893, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, he died on September 7th, 1981, at the age of 87. Warren was a prolific songwriter, he wrote over 800 songs between 1918-1981, and was the first major American songwriter to write primarily for film.

‘I don’t know if we’re in a garden, or on a crowded avenue. You are here and so am I, maybe millions of people go by, but they all disappear from view, and I only have eyes for you.’