Kim Carnes: The Raspy Voice of Pop Rock and Soft Rock
Kim Carnes is an American singer-songwriter renowned for her distinctive, gravelly vocals and a career spanning multiple genres. Her 1981 single "Bette Davis Eyes" became a global phenomenon, topping charts worldwide and earning her a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
Early career
Born in Los Angeles in 1945, Kim Carnes began her professional journey as a songwriter, penning material for other artists before stepping into the spotlight herself. She signed with A&M Records in the early 1970s, releasing her self-titled debut album in 1971, which established her as a compelling vocalist within the burgeoning singer-songwriter scene.
Breakthrough
Kim Carnes' commercial breakthrough arrived in 1981 with the album Mistaken Identity on EMI America Records. The driving synth-pop single "Bette Davis Eyes," a reinterpretation of a Jackie DeShannon song, spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the decade's defining tracks, eventually certified platinum.
Key tracks
Bette Davis Eyes - This Grammy-winning global smash defined Carnes' career and became one of the biggest hits of the 1980s.
Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer - A 1980 duet with Kenny Rogers, taken from his album Gideon, which became a major country-pop crossover hit.
More Love - Her 1980 single, which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing her soulful pop-rock style.
Crazy in the Night (Barking at Airplanes) - A top-20 pop and rock hit from 1985 that highlighted her continued success on the charts.
What About Me? - A 1984 hit collaboration with Kenny Rogers and James Ingram, demonstrating her strength in high-profile adult contemporary duets.
Following the massive success of "Bette Davis Eyes," Carnes continued to release albums throughout the 1980s, including Voyeur and Cafe Racers, maintaining a presence on pop and rock radio. Her songwriting remained a constant, with her compositions recorded by a diverse range of artists, solidifying her reputation within the music industry beyond her own performances.
Fans of Kim Carnes' blend of raspy-voiced pop rock and sophisticated songcraft may also enjoy the music of Bonnie Raitt, who shares a soulful vocal delivery and blues-rock influence. The melodic soft rock of Stevie Nicks offers a similar mystical quality and strong female artistry. Listeners drawn to her 80s synth-pop hitmaking might appreciate the work of Cyndi Lauper, another distinctive vocalist from the era. The country-pop storytelling of Linda Ronstadt also parallels Carnes' genre-crossing abilities.
Kim Carnes' enduring hits, particularly "Bette Davis Eyes," ensure her music remains a staple on classic hits, adult contemporary, and soft rock radio stations, where her unique voice continues to captivate new generations of listeners.
The music of Kim Carnes, from her iconic 80s anthems to her deeper album cuts, can be heard and discovered through the radio stations featured on onairium.com, celebrating her lasting impact on pop and rock history.
