"Cant Take My Eyes Off You" is a 1967 single by Frankie Valli. The song was among Vallis biggest hits, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a gold record. It was Vallis biggest solo hit until he hit #1 in 1974 with "My Eyes Adored You". "Cant Take My Eyes Off You" has had a major cultural impact, with hundreds of cover versions, many of which have been on the charts themselves in different countries. The song is a staple of television and film soundtracks, even being featured as part of the plot of some films, such as when the lead characters sing or arrange their own version of the song. The Valli version was also used by NASA as a wake-up song for a mission of the Space Shuttle, on the anniversary of astronaut Christopher Ferguson.
The title is a shortened version of the composers title of "Cant Take My Eyes Off of You", which has led to long-term confusion over the songs title. The song is also sometimes known as "I love you, Baby" after most prominent line in the chorus.
The song was written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. Arrangement was done by Artie Schroeck and Gaudio. The original recording was made at A&R Recording Studios at 799 7th Avenue, with Bob Crewe producing and Phil Ramone as the engineer.
The song has been covered by some 200 artists over the years, in many countries, under both versions of the title. A few notable examples of cover versions that appeared on the charts:
The Lettermen (#7 in 1967, in a medley with "Goin Out Of My Head")
A version by Andy Williams made it to #5 on the UK singles chart in 1968. The arranger and producer was Nick DeCaro and the conductor was Eddie Karam.|This version is included in the soundtrack of the 2001 film Bridget Joness Diary. In 2002 he recorded a new version of the song, as a duet with British actress and singer Denise van Outen, which reached #23 in the UK singles charts.
Nancy Wilson (#52 in 1969)
The Easybeats covered the song on their 1968 album Vigil, only released on the UK/European version of the album.
In 1970, Brook Benton recorded the song in his album Brook Benton Today.
In 1972, Bobby Darin performed the song on his summer television series, Dean Martin Presents: The Bobby Darin Amusement Company, and this version was included in the 2004 album Aces Back to Back
In 1974, Anna Maria Alberghetti performed the song as part of a medley on the 1974 Jerry Lewis Labor Day MDA Telethon.
In 1975, Julio Iglesias sang the song on his TV show.
Shirley Bassey recorded this as a United Artist Single in 1976
Maureen McGovern (#27 on the US Adult Contemporary chart in 1979; #5 Canadian AC in 1980).
In 1982, San Francisco based disco band Boys Town Gang performed a disco version of the song which reached number one in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and number four in the United Kingdom. This version was also successful in Japan, receiving a gold digital certification by the RIAJ in 2011, and is also on games such as Just Dance 4.
In 1987, Hong Kong singer Prudence Liew recorded a Cantonese version and released it as the fourth single from her sophomore album Why.
Various versions from 1991 onwards by disco singer Gloria Gaynor
In 1991, Pet Shop Boys used part of the song on their cover version of U2s "Where the Streets Have No Name", which reached #4 in the U.K. and #72 in the U.S.
In 1992, Dutch singers Gerard Joling and Tatjana Simic recorded a duet version of the song (including a rap segment by Darrell Bell), which peaked at #5 in the Dutch Top 40 charts.
In 1993, the song was recorded by a-ha singer Morten Harket for the soundtrack of the movie Coneheads.
In 1994, famous russsian singen Filipp Kirkorof recorded this song in his album Im not a Rafael
In 1995, seminal Christian rock band Daniel Amos recorded a version of the song on their album Songs of the Heart.
In 1996, Manic Street Preachers recorded a version of the song and used it as the third b-side on their single Australia - the fourth to be taken from the hit album Everything Must Go.
Turkish singer Tuba Onal covered the song in Turkish, titled "Gelmezsen Gelme" and featured the song on her 1997 album "Onun Adi Ask".
In 1998, Lauryn Hill (#35 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and #2 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart in 1998 and #8 on the Australian Singles Charts). This version was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1999.
In 1999, Jatin-Lalit included a Hindi version, "Haan Haan Yeh Pyar Hai," in the film Dillagi.
In 1999, Heath Ledger sang the song in the teen romantic-comedy 10 Things I Hate About You
In 2000, Japanese singer-songwriter Ringo Sheena, for the single Tsumi to Batsu.
In 2000, Hong Kong singer Leon Lai did a Cantonese version in his album Beijing Station.
2001, Sheena Easton recorded her version for her album Fabulous.
2001, British group Muse, for the single Dead Star/In Your World
2002, Japanese singer Tommy february6, on her eponymous album.
In 2004, Jennifer Pena recorded a Latin version of the song, "No Hay Nadie Igual Como Tu", which reached #33 on the Latin charts.
In 2004, Bad Manners, for the The Ultimate Bad Collection - Crooners.
In 2006, Barry Manilow including this song on his album The Greatest Songs of the Sixties, which reached #2 on the Billboard 200, and #56 in the UK.
The Killers performed this song as an intro to Shadowplay while on their Sams Town Tour.
John Barrowman recorded a cover for his 2008 album Music Music Music.
In 2008, Chinese soft rock duet Yu Quan recorded a cover as an EP titled Fall In Love With Your Beauty.
Japanese singer Julee Karan recorded a jazz version of the song for her album She-love jazz- released in 2009.
Portuguese actress Catia Tavares recorded a Portuguese version of the song (Amor Perfeito) for the soundtrack of the soap opera "Espirito Indomavel".
In 2010, Gisella Cozzo included a bonus track and cover of this song on her album This is me .
In 2010, A Cappella group Straight No Chaser included a cover of the song on their album With a Twist.
In 2010, Clay Aiken included a cover of the song on his album Tried and True.
In 2011, Japanese R&B singer Misia, included a cover of the song as a B-side to her single "Kioku". The song was later included on her cover album, Misia no Mori: Forest Covers.
2011, Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones sang an acoustic version of the song in tribute to former Wales national football team manager Gary Speed. The song has been an adopted anthem for Welsh football fans during Speeds playing career with Wales after being used in a BBC Wales promo for the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign.
In 2012, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, a dance and vocal group from Japan under the same agency as EXILE, cover this song and sing it on their [0~ZERO~ Live Tour] as "????????-Cant Take My Eyes Off of You-".
In 2013, Canadian indie band Walk off the Earth recorded an acoustic/beat box version of the song posted on YouTube with Belgian singer/songwriter Selah Sue voicing the chorus.
In 2013, South Korean girl group Girls Generation performed a version of this song as part of their Japan 2nd Tour ?Girls?Peace? and 2013 Girls Generation World Tour - Girls & Peace.
In 2013, Rumba music group Chico & the Gypsies did a Spanish version called "No Puedo Quitar Mis Ojos De Ti" on their album Fiesta released mid-2013. Chico is Jahloul Chico Bouchikhi, one of the founder members of Gipsy Kings.
In 2013, the vocal harmony group The Overtones covered the song for the official soundtrack of the German movie "Buddy", and also included the song on the Christmas and Mothers Day editions of their platinum selling album, Saturday Night At The Movies.
In Film, Musicals and Television
The song is a staple of film and television soundtracks, such as being used in the soundtrack of Bridget Joness Diary (2001), and Coneheads (1993). Some films incorporate it as a significant part of the plot, such as in The Deer Hunter (1978), where many characters begin to sing along with the jukebox at a bar and during the wedding reception. At the 51st Academy Awards, part of the song was played when an award was given to the film.
In the 1997 film Conspiracy Theory, Julia Roberts sings along to the song while she is being watched through binoculars by Mel Gibson, who is singing the song at the same time. Later in the film they sing the song again. During the closing credits a cover version was sang by Lauryn Hill. In 2002 it was featured in a deleted scene of Scooby Doo sung by Linda Cardellini (Velma).
It is used in the plot in Son of the Mask (2005), Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999), and in the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You, where the performance by Heath Ledger was nominated for Best Musical Sequence in the 2000 MTV Movie Awards.
The song is featured prominently in the Broadway musical Jersey Boys (2005) and the Clint Eastwood-directed cinematic release of the same name ( 2014). In both cast albums it is performed by John Lloyd Young as Valli.
In the show HBO Entourage, Vincent Chase (portrayed by Adrian Grenier) and his brother Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon) sing the song at a Sweet Sixteen in a season 5 episode.
The song features heavily in the TV series Gavin & Stacey and was sung by lead character Gavins parents Mick & Pam Shipman at his wedding to Stacey West.
The song is heard in a ESPN TV commercial for the Monday Night Football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans on November 17, 2014.
The song was heard in the Scorpion episode, "Risky Business", sung by Katharine McPhee (as Paige Dineen).
The song was the theme for a foxtrot on Season 19 of the TV series Dancing With the Stars, earning contestant Sadie Robertson a perfect score with pro-dancing partner Mark Ballas on November 10, 2014.
The song has been adopted by fans of the Welsh national football team and is regularly sung at games. The supporters band, known as The Barry Horns, play a brass band arrangement of the song. The song is also sung by the fans of Fulham Football Club and the song is regularly played after home games. MK Dons fans have a song called "We love you Lewie" to the tune in reference to club legend Dean Lewington.
The song is playable in Just Dance 4.
It has also been adopted as the song of Derwent College, University of York, in the United Kingdom. In 2008, Vallis version of the song was played by NASA as the morning wake-up call for astronaut Christopher Ferguson, in honor of his anniversary while he was on the STS-126 Space Shuttle mission (WAV MP3).
