"Warmth of Your Eyes" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Billie Hughes. The song was produced by Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary, and Phil Ramone and released in 1972 as a single by Lazarus on the band's debut eponymous Lazarus album by Bearsville Records, distributed by Warner Bros. Records Inc.[1][2][3][4][5]
| "Warmth of Your Eyes" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Lazarus | ||||
| from the album Lazarus | ||||
| B-side | "Circuit Rider" | |||
| Released | 1972 | |||
| Recorded | Bearsville Studio, Woodstock, New York | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:58 | |||
| Label | Bearsville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Bill Hughes | |||
| Producer(s) | Phil Ramone and Peter Yarrow | |||
| Lazarus singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Warmth of Your Eyes" on YouTube | ||||
“Warmth of Your Eyes” became a popular processional wedding song and cover song in the ‘70s.[6][7][8][9]
Inspiration and writing
editLazarus leader, Billie Hughes, was responsible for the musical composition and lyrics for “Warmth of Your Eyes”.
The Rock columnist Jim Davis described the song as “liturgical”, quoting from the lyrics “And when we’re living in the holy church of Jesus, I can look into your eyes and you in mind and we will know and maybe show he didn’t live in vain” and writing “the feeling is stronger than any emotion that a traditional church hymn ever drew out of me.”[10][11][12]
Critical reception
editBillboard, October 23, 1971, gave the eponymous Lazarus album a Special Merit Pick with "Warmth of Your Eyes" cited as one of the best cuts, describing "honesty in the lyrics and optimism in the chords".[1] Bruce Eder of AllMusic described the sound of the band's songs as "acoustic rock with minimal amplification and lots of harmony vocals".[2]
“Warmth of Your Eyes" was a Billboard Recommended Pick, May 6, 1972.[3] Billboard Picks and Plays reported airplay.[13]
The Austin American called the sound of Lazarus a “special brand of gospel-folk music” citing “Warmth of Your Eyes” as the “strong cut on the LP”.[5]
Jeffrie Jones for Thousand Oaks Star called it a “contemporary song” citing a recent cover version and live performance by “Salt River” choir ensemble.[9]
Bruce Kirkland of The Toronto Star described the songs as “religiously inspired” with “haunting melodic beauty and almost naïve approach to life, with emphasis on happiness through love” and characterizing “Warmth of Your Eyes” as “gentle”.[14]
Credits and personnel
editCredits are adapted from the album's liner notes.
Lazarus
- Bill Hughes – vocal, guitar
- Carl Keesee – vocal, bass
- Gary Dye – vocal
Production
- Phil Ramone – producer, recording engineer
- Peter Yarrow – producer, musical director
Other versions
editOn March 28, 2011, the song was featured on the folk rock mix album Late Night Tales: Midlake.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b SPECIAL MERIT PICKS. Billboard. 23 October 1971.
- ^ a b "Lazarus | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
- ^ a b New Radio Action And Billboard Pick Singles. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 6 May 1972.
- ^ "CJIC FM 100.5 Stereo HIGHLIGHTS: The Sound of Music - Tom Iley Wed. Nov 8th - 1 to 3 p.m." Newspapers.com. 1972-11-07. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ a b "Yarrow Bringing Lazarus Along - Lazarus album, "Warmth of Your Eyes"". Newspapers.com. 1972-04-30. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Society and Club News - "Your Song", "Warmth of Your Eyes", "The Wedding Song"". Newspapers.com. 1973-08-14. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Cynthia Pile Weds Thomas Wald Horn - "Your Song", "Warmth of Your Eyes" and "The Wedding Song"". Newspapers.com. 1973-08-16. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Rew - Nixon Vows Said, Organist played "Thank You", The "Warmth of Your Eyes", "Blest Be the Tie"". Newspapers.com. 1978-12-10. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ a b "Panthers to attend DECA confab - Pinball Wizard, Jesus is Just All Right for Me, Warmth of Your Eyes". Newspapers.com. 1973-03-21. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Lazarus Unknown, Needs Resurrecting - Jim Davis Lazarus album, Warmth of Your Eyes, Blessed, lyrics". Newspapers.com. 1972-06-08. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "JESUS ROCK The Recording Industry Believes by Adon Taft Herald Religion Editor". Newspapers.com. 1977-10-03. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Jesus Rock It's Rolling Straight to the Top of Pop Charts Adon Taft Baker feels PPMs Hymn the start". Newspapers.com. 1977-10-04. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ Sutherland, Sam (29 Apr 1972). What's Happening. Billboard.
- ^ "Nightclub review 2 folk acts have good things to say by Bruce Kirkland Lazarus Warmth of Your Eyes". Newspapers.com. 1972-02-09. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ Warmth of Your Eyes - Lazarus, Lazarus | Song Info | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-06-01