| "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" | |
| Written by | Slim Willet |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Form | Country |
| Original artist | Slim Willet– C&W chart entry: Sep 27 1952 |
| Recorded by | Ray Price–Nov 8 1952 Skeets McDonald–Oct 25 1952 Perry Como–Nov 4 1952 (see also Other versions) |
"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 (whose stage name was Slim Willet) and was published in 1952.[1] The title comes from the opening refrain:
The song was first recorded by Slim Willet and the Brush Cutters (4 Star 11614, reaching #1) and then by Ray Price (Columbia 4-21025, reaching #5). Skeets McDonald followed with a Western swing hit, reaching #1 and staying on the charts 18 weeks. His version was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 2216 with the flip side “Big Family Trouble".[2]
The best selling performance was a pop version recorded by Perry Como with The Ramblers on November 4, 1952 and released in the following versions[1]:
Semprini, pianoforte with rhythm accompaniment recorded it as the third song of the medley "Dancing to the piano (No. 12) - Hit medley of quick-steps" along with "She Wears Red Feathers" and "Wild Roses". The medley was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10457.
The song was also covered by Eileen Barton in a recording issued by Coral Records as catalog number 60882, with the flip side “Tennessee Tango”,[5] and by country music artist k.d. lang on her 1988 album, Shadowland.
It was spoofed by Homer and Jethro on their album America's Song Butchers: The Weird World of Homer and Jethro in a song entitled "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs", the lyrics of which are also found in a Steve Goodman song entitled "Talk Backwards".
The song was recorded in 2008 by Australian singer and composer Alfio for his album Classic Rewinds which pays tribute to Perry Como, Dean Martin and 13 other popular Italian-American singers.