Can't Take My Eyes Off You

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
Cover of the 1967 US single
Single by Frankie Valli
from the album The 4 Seasons Present Frankie Valli Solo
B-side	"The Trouble With Me"
Released	May 1967 (1967-05)
Format	7"
Recorded	April 1967
Genre	Pop rock
Length	2:58
Label	Philips
Songwriter(s)	Bob Crewe Bob Gaudio
Producer(s)	Bob Crewe
Frankie Valli singles chronology
"The Proud One" (1966) "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (1967) "I Make a Fool of Myself" (1967)
"The Proud One" (1966) "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (1967) "I Make a Fool of Myself" (1967)

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a 1967 single credited to 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, stuck behind "Windy" by The Association.^[1] It was co-written by Bob Gaudio, a bandmate of Valli's in The Four Seasons. It was Valli's biggest solo hit until he hit #1 in 1974 with "My Eyes Adored You".^[2]

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" has had hundreds of cover versions, many of which have been on the charts in different countries. The song is a staple of television and film soundtracks, even being featured as part of the plot of some films, such as when the lead characters sing or arrange their own version of the song. Its chorus has also become a popular football chant, with supporters of various teams inserting their club's name or a popular player's name into the beat (for instance, A.S. Roma fans sing "Francesco Totti, la la, la la la la!"). The Valli version was also used by NASA as a wake-up song for a mission of the Space Shuttle, on the anniversary of astronaut Christopher Ferguson.

Credits

The song was written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. Arrangement was done by Artie Schroeck and Gaudio.^[3] The original recording was made at A&R Recording Studios at 799 7th Avenue, with Bob Crewe producing and Phil Ramone as the engineer.

Charts

Notable cover versions

The song has been covered by some 200 artists over the years, in many countries, under both versions of the title. A few notable examples of cover versions that appeared on the charts:

1967–1969

• The Lettermen (#7 in 1967, in a medley with "Goin' Out of My Head")
• A version by Andy Williams made it to #5 on the UK singles chart in 1968.^[10] The arranger and producer was Nick DeCaro and the conductor was Eddie Karam.^[11] This version is included in the soundtrack of the 2001 film Bridget Jones's Diary. In 2002 he recorded a new version of the song, as a duet with British actress and singer Denise van Outen, which reached #23 in the UK singles charts.^[12]
• Vicki Carr recorded a cover of the song on her 1967 album It Must Be Him.
• Nancy Wilson (#52 in 1969)
• Engelbert Humperdinck covered the song on his 1968 album A Man Without Love.^[13]
• The Easybeats covered the song on their 1968 album Vigil, only released on the UK/European version of the album.
• The Supremes performed the song for the first time in 1969, in Diana Ross's last performance on TV with the group, with Mary Wilson on lead
• A translated version in Swedish was recorded by Anni-Frid Lyngstad (later of ABBA) and was released as the B-side to her debut single "Din" in 1967. The recording has also been released on Lyngstad's compilation albums.^[14]

1970–1989

• In 1970, Brook Benton recorded the song on his album Brook Benton Today.^[15]
• In 1972, Bobby Darin performed the song on his summer television series, Dean Martin Presents: The Bobby Darin Amusement Company, and this version was included in the 2004 album Aces Back to Back.
• In 1974, Anna Maria Alberghetti performed the song as part of a medley on the 1974 Jerry Lewis Labor Day MDA Telethon.
• In 1975, Julio Iglesias sang the song on his TV show.
• Shirley Bassey recorded this as a United Artist Single in 1976.
• In 1978 actors Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and John Cazale sang the lyrics in the movie The Deer Hunter.
• Maureen McGovern (#27 on the US Adult Contemporary chart in 1979; #5 Canadian AC in 1980).^[16]
• In 1982, San Francisco based disco band Boys Town Gang performed a disco version of the song which reached number one in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and number four in the United Kingdom.^[17][18] This version was also successful in Japan, receiving a gold digital certification by the RIAJ in 2011, and is also on games such as Just Dance 4.
• In 1987, Hong Kong singer Prudence Liew recorded a Cantonese version and released it as the fourth single from her sophomore album, Why.
• In 1989, Michelle Pfeiffer sang the song in The Fabulous Baker Boys.

1990–1999

• Various versions from 1991 onwards by disco singer Gloria Gaynor.^[19]
• In 1991, Pet Shop Boys used part of the song on their cover version of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name", which reached #4 in the U.K. and #72 in the U.S.
• In 1992, Dutch singers Gerard Joling and Tatjana Šimić recorded a duet version of the song (including a rap segment by Darrell Bell), which peaked at #5 in the Dutch Top 40 charts.^[20]
• In 1993, the song was recorded by a-ha singer Morten Harket for the soundtrack of the movie Coneheads (1993).^[21]
• In 1994, Russian singer Philipp Kirkorov recorded this song for his album I'm not a Rafael.
• In 1995, Christian rock band Daniel Amos recorded a version of the song on their album Songs of the Heart.
• In 1996, Manic Street Preachers recorded a version of the song and used it as the third B-side on their single "Australia", the fourth to be taken from the hit album Everything Must Go.
• Turkish singer Tuğba Önal covered the song in Turkish, titled "Gelmezsen Gelme" and featured the song on her 1997 album Onun Adı Aşk.
• In 1997, the pioneering Finnish Grindcore band Xysma covered the song in their later career after transforming into a rock band on their 1997 EP Singles.
• In 1998, Lauryn Hill (#35 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and #2 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart in 1998 and #8 on the Australian Singles Charts).^[22] This version was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1999.
• In 1999, Izumi Sakai of the Japanese music unit Zard recorded a version of the song with Yasuharu Konishi. It was included as a miniature bonus CD to the 8th Zard album Eien. The title is altered slightly to "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" and a remixed version is included as the second of two tracks.
• In 1999, Jatin-Lalit included a Hindi version, "Haan Haan Yeh Pyar Hai", in the film Dillagi.
• In 1999, Heath Ledger sang the song in the teen romantic-comedy 10 Things I Hate About You.
• In 1999, Denise Richards sang the song in the comedy Drop Dead Gorgeous (film).

2000–2009

• In 2000, Japanese singer Ringo Sheena, for the single "Tsumi to Batsu".
• In 2000, Hong Kong singer Leon Lai did a Cantonese version in his album Beijing Station.
• 2001, Jimmy Somerville released his version as a single.
• 2000, Sheena Easton recorded her version for her album Fabulous.
• 2001, British group Muse, for the single "Dead Star" / "In Your World".
• 2002, Japanese singer Tommy february6, on her eponymous album.
• 2003, Czech duo Těžkej Pokondr recorded a Czech comedy version named Pejzy for their album Kuss.
• In 2004, Jennifer Peña recorded a Latin version of the song, "No Hay Nadie Igual Como Tú", which reached #33 on the Latin charts.
• In 2004, Bad Manners, for The Ultimate Bad Collection - Crooners.
• In 2005, Jamie Kennedy performed a song in the movie, Son of the Mask.
• In 2005, Hello Kitty performed a song for Sanrio Puroland's Yoru wo Tanoshima Night.
• In 2006, Barry Manilow including this song on his album The Greatest Songs of the Sixties.
• The Killers performed this song as an intro to "Shadowplay" while on their Sam's Town Tour in 2006 and 2007.
• John Barrowman recorded a cover for his 2008 album Music Music Music.
• In 2007, Greek singer Efi Thodi included this song in her album I Love You Baby.
• In 2008, Chinese soft rock duet Yu Quan recorded a cover as an EP titled Fall in Love with Your Beauty.
• In 2008, Valli's version of the song was played by NASA as the morning wake-up call for astronaut Christopher Ferguson, in honor of his anniversary while he was on the STS-126 Space Shuttle mission.^[23]

2010–present

• In 2010, A cappella group Straight No Chaser included a cover of the song on their album With a Twist.
• In 2010, Clay Aiken included a cover of the song on his album Tried and True.
• In 2011, Japanese R&B singer Misia, included a cover of the song as a B-side to her single "Kioku". The song was later included on her cover album, Misia no Mori: Forest Covers.
• In 2011, Taiwanese-American singer-songwriter Joanna Wang, included a cover of the song on her cover album, The Things We Do for Love.
• 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 has been an adopted 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.^[24]
• In 2012, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, a dance and vocal group from Japan under the same agency as EXILE, cover this song and sing it on their [0~ZERO~ Live Tour] as "君の瞳に恋してる-Can't Take My Eyes Off of You-".^[25]
• In 2013, Canadian indie band Walk off the Earth recorded an acoustic/beat box version of the song posted on YouTube with Belgian singer/songwriter Selah Sue voicing the chorus.^[26]
• In 2013, South Korean girl group Girls' Generation performed a version of this song as part of their Japan 2nd Tour ～Girls＆Peace～^[27] and 2013 Girls' Generation World Tour - Girls & Peace.^[28]
• In 2013, Rumba music group Chico & the Gypsies did a Spanish version called "No Puedo Quitar Mis Ojos De Ti" on their album Fiesta released mid-2013. Chico is Jahloul "Chico" Bouchikhi, one of the founder members of Gipsy Kings.
• In 2013, the vocal harmony group The Overtones covered the song for the official soundtrack of the German movie Buddy, and also included the song on the Christmas and Mother's Day editions of their 2013 platinum selling album, Saturday Night at the Movies.
• In 2014, John Lloyd Young covered the song for the movie Jersey Boys about the band The Four Seasons where he played Frankie Valli. He was also the original performer on the Broadway musical of the same name which premiered in 2005.
• In 2015, Greek singers Antonis Remos and Melina Aslanidou performed the song on a tour.
• In 2016, Amanda Lear recorded a new version of the song for her album Let Me Entertain You.
• Jessie J recorded her version in 2016, for the French cosmetics brand Make Up For Ever.

References

External links

• "Official Frankie Valli Site". Retrieved 2010-2-16.
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
• RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database

The Four Seasons
Frankie Valli Tommy DeVito Bob Gaudio Nick Massi Charles Calello Joe Long Gerry Polci
Albums	Sherry & 11 Others (1962) The 4 Seasons Greetings (1962) Big Girls Don't Cry and Twelve Others (1963) The 4 Seasons Sing Ain't That a Shame and 11 Others (1963) Golden Hits of the 4 Seasons (1963) Dawn (1964) Rag Doll (1964) Born to Wonder (1964) Stay and Other Great Hits (1964) The 4 Seasons Sing Big Hits by Burt Bacharach... Hal David... Bob Dylan (1965) 4 Seasons Entertain You (1965) Lets Hang On (1965) Working My Way Back to You (1965) On Stage with The Four Seasons (1965) New Gold Hits (1967) Edizione D'Oro (Gold Edition) (1968) The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette (1969) Half and Half (1970) Chameleon (1972) Who Loves You (1975) Helicon (1977) The Very Best of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (2002)
Singles	"Bermuda" "Sherry" "Big Girls Don't Cry" "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" "Walk Like a Man" "Ain't That a Shame" "Candy Girl" "New Mexican Rose" "Dawn (Go Away)" "Stay" "Ronnie" "Rag Doll" "Alone (Why Must I Be Alone)" "Save It for Me" "Sincerely" "Big Man in Town" "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" "Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)" "Since I Don't Have You" "Girl Come Running" "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" "Let's Hang On!" "Don't Think Twice" "Working My Way Back to You" "Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'bout Me)" "On the Good Ship Lollipop" "I've Got You Under My Skin" "The Proud One" "Tell It to the Rain" "Beggin'" "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" "C'mon Marianne" "Lonesome Road" "Watch the Flowers Grow" "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" "My Eyes Adored You" "Our Day Will Come" "Who Loves You" "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" "Silver Star" "Grease"
Related topics	Discography Members Albums Songs The Four Lovers The Wonder Who? Bob Crewe "Ces soirées-là" Jersey Boys: Original Broadway Cast Recording Jersey Boys (musical) Jersey Boys (film)
Book:The Four Seasons