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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCARNES, Kim(b 20 July 1948, Los Angeles CA) Singer and songwriter. She passed through the New Christy Minstrels, wrote and sang advert jingles, briefly recorded for the Amos label, and was discovered by A&M singing in L.A. clubs. Her albums Rest On Me '72, Kim Carnes '75 and Sailin' '76 brought few sales, but her songs (often co-written with husband/backing musician David Ellingson) were recorded by Anne Murray, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand ('Love Comes From Unexpected Places'), Rita Coolidge, etc. She was the first artist on the new EMI/America label: St Vincent's Court '79 included a no. 56 Billboard hit 'It Hurts So Bad'. Romance Dance '80 was her first chart album. Ex-Minstrel Kenny Rogers made Gideon '80, an album of Carnes/Ellingson songs, duet on 'Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer' a no. 4 hit. Her husky, breathy vocal style was compared to that of Rod Stewart, apparent on her first solo hit 'More Love' '80 (a Smokey Robinson song) but a song written by Donna Weiss/Jackie DeShannon brought more fame: 'Bette Davis Eyes' '81, contrasting the vocal with electronic percussion, was no. 1 for nine weeks in the USA, boosted LP Mistaken Identity into best-sellerdom and won a deserved Grammy. Other lesser hits were overshadowed by a top 20 rematch with Rogers on 'What About Me' by Rogers and James Ingram '84. The irony remains of a successful writer having her biggest hits with other people's songs, but Carnes albums Voyeur '82, Cafe Racers '83, Barking At Airplanes '85 and Light House '86 all charted. CD Gypsy Honeymoon '93 on EMI included Streisand and Rogers. |