Ebony Eyes (Rick James song)
"Ebony Eyes" is a song recorded by American singers Rick James and Smokey Robinson for the Gordy (Motown) label. It was released in November 1983 as the third single from James' seventh studio album Cold Blooded. The song was produced and arranged by James. It peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[1]
| "Ebony Eyes" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Rick James and Smokey Robinson | ||||
| from the album Cold Blooded | ||||
| Released | November 14, 1983 | |||
| Recorded | 1983 | |||
| Studio | Joint Recording Studio (Buffalo, New York) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:56 | |||
| Label | Motown | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Rick James | |||
| Producer(s) | Rick James | |||
| Rick James singles chronology | ||||
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| Smokey Robinson singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Ebony Eyes" on YouTube | ||||
History
Song information
"Ebony Eyes" was a collaborative effort between Smokey Robinson and Rick James. First released on the album Cold Blooded, "Ebony Eyes" climbed the R&B charts and peaked at number 22. "Ebony Eyes" remains one of James' most notable hits as it is one of the few to not use the style he labeled "punk-funk" but instead uses a more contemporary tempo and follows a more classic style of R&B. Robinson was credited for singing the introduction, bridge, and other more calm verses while James sang the chorus.
"Ebony Eyes" begins with a simple beat which leads into a more complex rhythm and the vocals of both Robinson and uncredited background vocalist who repeat falsetto vocals twice before Robinson begins the opening verse. The song chronicles the narrators affection for a certain woman. Lost for words and made weak by the mere presence of this lady, Robinson requires James' vocals to reveal how he really feels about this woman, who James thinks is unaware of his affection and apparent need for her. It is an ode to love for women of color, hence the title "Ebony Eyes".
Personnel
- Vocals, and Composition by Smokey Robinson and Rick James
- Produced, and Arranged by Rick James
Chart performance
| Chart (1983-84) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[2] | 96 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary[3] | 35 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 43 |
| US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)[5] | 22 |
Cover versions & samples
- Silk covered the song on their 2001 album, Love Session.
- Silkk The Shocker samples the song in "Ghetto Rain" from his album Made Man, which also features Master P & O'Dell.
External links
References
- [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?configType=BBCOM_SIMPLEDEFAULT&pubList=Billboard&an=bbcom&action=Submit&kw=&exposeNavigation=true&keyword=ebony+eyes&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Submit&searchType=ARTICLE_SEARCH Billboard Music chart
- "officialcharts.com". officialcharts.com. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 125.
- Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 423.
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 291.