I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes
Encyclopedia
"I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes" is country music
song that was originally a hit for Goldie Hill
in 1953.
In 1952, Hill was trying to make it as a country artist after signing a contract with Decca Records
that year. Her first single, 1952's "Why Talk to My Heart," was not successful. She would have a major hit, however, with this song written by singer Slim Willet
and Hill's brother, Tommy.
The song was an answer song
to the big pop music
hit Perry Como
had with his song "Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes
." Slim Willet
and Skeets McDonald
also recorded country versions of the song that became hits. When Hill and Willet wrote the answer song, it was originally intended for Kitty Wells
. The song was then released by Decca Records
in late 1952, and became a number-one smash in 1953, turning Goldie Hill into a major star. Although it was a brief stay at the top, Goldie Hill was one of the biggest names in the business, along with Kitty Wells
. Hill's success inspired other female country singers to try to make into the music business. Some of these singers later did, like Jean Shepard
in 1953, Patsy Cline
in 1957, and Skeeter Davis
in 1958.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
song that was originally a hit for Goldie Hill
Goldie Hill
Goldie Hill , born Argolda Voncile Hill, was an American country music singer. She was one of the first women in country music, and became one of the first women to reach the top of the country music charts with her No. 1 1953 hit, "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes"...
in 1953.
In 1952, Hill was trying to make it as a country artist after signing a contract with Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
that year. Her first single, 1952's "Why Talk to My Heart," was not successful. She would have a major hit, however, with this song written by singer Slim Willet
Slim Willet
Slim Willet was an American disc jockey, musician, and songwriter....
and Hill's brother, Tommy.
The song was an answer song
Answer song
An answer song is, as the name suggests, a song made in answer to a previous song, normally by another artist. It is also known as a response song. The concept became widespread in blues and R&B recorded music in the 1930s through 1950s...
to the big pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
hit Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
had with his song "Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes
"Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" is an off meter ballad concerning a man away from home worried that his paramour may unwittingly stray from their relationship. The song was recorded in many different styles by many artists. It was written by Winston L. Moore and was published in 1952...
." Slim Willet
Slim Willet
Slim Willet was an American disc jockey, musician, and songwriter....
and Skeets McDonald
Skeets McDonald
Enos William McDonald , better known as Skeets McDonald, was an American country and rockabilly musician popular during the 1950s and 60s...
also recorded country versions of the song that became hits. When Hill and Willet wrote the answer song, it was originally intended for Kitty Wells
Kitty Wells
Ellen Muriel Deason , known professionally as Kitty Wells, is an American country music singer. Her 1952 hit recording, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", made her the first female country singer to top the U.S. country charts, and turned her into the first female country star...
. The song was then released by Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
in late 1952, and became a number-one smash in 1953, turning Goldie Hill into a major star. Although it was a brief stay at the top, Goldie Hill was one of the biggest names in the business, along with Kitty Wells
Kitty Wells
Ellen Muriel Deason , known professionally as Kitty Wells, is an American country music singer. Her 1952 hit recording, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", made her the first female country singer to top the U.S. country charts, and turned her into the first female country star...
. Hill's success inspired other female country singers to try to make into the music business. Some of these singers later did, like Jean Shepard
Jean Shepard
Ollie Imogene Shepard , better known as Jean Shepard, is an American honky tonk singer-songwriter who was a pioneer for women in country music. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the Hot Country Songs chart, one of which reached the #1 spot...
in 1953, Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Gore, Virginia, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
in 1957, and Skeeter Davis
Skeeter Davis
Mary Frances Penick , better known as Skeeter Davis, was an American country music singer best known for crossover pop music songs of the early 1960s. She started out as part of The Davis Sisters as a teenager in the late 1940s, eventually landing on RCA Records. In the late '50s, she became a solo...
in 1958.