Kim Carnes, instantly recognizable for her uniquely raspy vocal style, began her musical journey in the 1960s as a songwriter, long before achieving mainstream success as a singer. While “Bette Davis Eyes” remains her signature track, the catalog of Songs By Kim Carnes is rich and diverse, showcasing her talent as both a performer and a writer.
Carnes took her first steps into the music industry penning songs in the 1960s. Her debut album, Rest on Me, appeared in 1971, marking her arrival as a recording artist. It was in 1975 that she first tasted chart success with “You’re a Part of Me,” a single that climbed to No. 32 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, signaling the growing popularity of songs by Kim Carnes.
1980 proved to be a pivotal year as Carnes collaborated with David M. Ellingson to write all the tracks for Kenny Rogers’s concept album Gideon. Their collaboration extended to a duet, “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer,” which not only featured songs by Kim Carnes in a songwriting capacity but also showcased her vocal harmony alongside Rogers. The song’s cross-genre appeal was evident as it reached No. 3 on the country chart and No. 4 on the pop chart, earning a Grammy nomination and further establishing Carnes’ presence in the music scene.
The release of her album Mistaken Identity in 1981 marked Carnes’s definitive breakthrough. The album soared to the top of the Billboard 200 chart and achieved platinum status, propelled by the phenomenal success of “Bette Davis Eyes.” This iconic track dominated the Hot 100 chart for an impressive nine weeks, becoming the biggest-selling single of the year and cementing its place among the most memorable songs by Kim Carnes. “Bette Davis Eyes” garnered Grammy Awards for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, while Mistaken Identity received a nomination for Album of the Year, highlighting the critical and commercial acclaim of Kim Carnes’ songs at this peak in her career.
While subsequent albums did not replicate the massive commercial triumph of Mistaken Identity, Carnes continued to release compelling music and earn accolades. Her 1982 album Voyeur earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, and her 1983 single “Invisible Hands” also received a Grammy nod, demonstrating the consistent quality of songs by Kim Carnes even beyond her blockbuster hit era.
In 1983, Carnes contributed “I’ll Be Here Where the Heart Is” to the Flashdance soundtrack. This song reached No. 1, adding another chart-topping single to her discography and earning her a Grammy Award. The following year, she participated in the star-studded charity single “We Are the World,” which became a global phenomenon and won four Grammys, further connecting songs by Kim Carnes to significant cultural moments.
Beyond her own recordings, Carnes has made a significant mark as a songwriter for other artists, particularly in country music. Her songwriting credits include two No. 1 country hits. “Make No Mistake, He’s Mine,” a duet she originally recorded with Barbra Streisand in 1984, topped the charts when Kenny Rogers and Ronnie Milsap rerecorded it as “Make No Mistake, She’s Mine” in 1987. Furthermore, Reba McEntire and Vince Gill took Carnes’s “The Heart Won’t Lie” to No. 1 in 1993, solidifying her reputation as a versatile songwriter capable of crafting hits across genres. These Kim Carnes songs performed by other artists underscore her lasting influence in the music industry.
Carnes’s most recent album, Chasin’ Wild Trains, released in 2004, showcased an Americana-leaning sound and marked her return to full-length albums after Checkin’ Out the Ghosts in 1991. Throughout her career, Kim Carnes has built a lasting legacy, not only through her unforgettable hit “Bette Davis Eyes” but also through a rich collection of songs by Kim Carnes that highlight her distinctive voice and songwriting talent. Her contributions as both a singer and songwriter have cemented her place in music history.
