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Contents

   



(Top)
  


1 Song information  




2 Personnel  




3 Chart performance  




4 References  













Ebony Eyes (Rick James song)







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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  

"Ebony Eyes"
SinglebyRick James and Smokey Robinson
from the album Cold Blooded
ReleasedNovember 14, 1983
Recorded1983
StudioJoint Recording Studio (Buffalo, New York)
Genre
  • soul
    • Length3:56
    LabelMotown
    Songwriter(s)Rick James
    Producer(s)Rick James
    Rick James singles chronology
    "U Bring the Freak Out"
    (1983)     		"Ebony Eyes"
    (1983)     		"17"
    (1984)
    Smokey Robinson singles chronology
    "Touch the Sky"
    (1983)     		"Ebony Eyes"
    (1983)     		"And I Don't Love You"
    (1984)
    Music video
    "Ebony Eyes"onYouTube

    "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]

    Song information[edit]

    "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 chart and peaked at number 22. "Ebony Eyes" is one of the few hits by James 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[edit]

    Chart performance[edit]

    Chart performance for "Ebony Eyes"
    Chart (1983–1984) Peak
    position
    UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[2] 96
    USBillboard Hot 100[1] 43
    USBillboard Adult Contemporary[3] 35
    USHot Black Singles (Billboard)[4] 22

    References[edit]

    1. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 423.
  • ^ "officialcharts.com". officialcharts.com. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  • ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 125.
  • ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 291.

    • Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ebony_Eyes_(Rick_James_song)&oldid=1155433525"
    Categories: 
    ●1983 songs
     ●1983 singles
     ●Rick James songs
     ●Smokey Robinson songs
     ●Songs written by Rick James
     ●Motown singles
     ●Song recordings produced by Rick James
     Hidden categories: 
    ●Articles with short description
     ●Short description is different from Wikidata
     ●Articles with hAudio microformats
      


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