About the song
“My Eyes Adored You” is a memorable song from 1974, penned by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan. Originally recorded by The Four Seasons, this track faced some challenges before it became a major hit. Initially, the Motown label showed reluctance to release the song, leading to it being sold to lead singer Frankie Valli for $4,000. Despite further rejections from Capitol and Atlantic Records, Valli managed to get the song released through Private Stock Records. However, Private Stock’s owner, Larry Uttal, insisted that only Valli’s name appear on the label.
Released in the U.S. in November 1974, “My Eyes Adored You” was featured on Valli’s album “Closeup.” It quickly rose to prominence, topping the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1975 and also reaching number 2 on the Easy Listening chart. Billboard later ranked it as the No. 5 song of 1975. This was a significant achievement for Valli, marking his first solo number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song held the top spot for just one week before being replaced by “Lady Marmalade” by Labelle, another song written by Crewe and Nolan.
Critics praised the song for its smooth, mellow quality. Cash Box described it as a “mellow ballad” elevated by Valli’s sweet vocals and lush instrumentation. Record World noted that it helped bring Valli back to prominence in the top 40. Notably, guitarist Demetri Callas, who joined The Four Seasons in the early 1970s, considered this record his favorite work with the band.
The success of “My Eyes Adored You” also sparked renewed interest in The Four Seasons, leading to their signing with Warner Bros. Records. Valli’s subsequent single, “Swearin’ to God,” also enjoyed commercial success, further solidifying his place in music history.
Video
Lyrics
My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you
Like a million miles away from me
You couldn’t see how I adored you
So close, so close and yet so far
Carried your books from school
Playin’ make believe you’re married to me
You were fifth grade, I was sixth when we came to be
Walking home every day over Bonnicut Bridge and Bay
‘Til we grew into the me and you
Who went our separate ways
My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you
Like a million miles away from me
You couldn’t see how I adored you
So close, so close and yet so far
Headed for city lights
Climbed the ladder up to fortune and fame
I worked my fingers to the bone
Made myself a name
Funny, I seem to find
That no matter how the years unwind
Still I reminisce about the girI miss
And the love I left behind
My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you
Like a million miles away from me
You couldn’t see how I adored you
So close, so close and yet so far
All my life I will remember (Though I never laid a hand on you)
How warm and tender we were way back then (My eyes adored you)
Whoa-whoa, baby (Like a million miles away from me)
(You couldn’t see how I adored you)
Oh the feeling, sad regrets (So close)
I know I won’t ever forget you, my childhood friend (So close and yet so far)
My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you
Like a million miles away from me
You couldn’t see how I adored you
So close, so close and yet so far
My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you