Sad Eyes (Robert John song)

"Sad Eyes"
Side A of US single
Single by Robert John
from the album Robert John
B-side"Am I Ever Gonna Hold You Again"
ReleasedApril 1979
Recorded1979
Genre
Length4:12 (Album Version)
3:30 (Single Edit)
LabelEMI America
Songwriter(s)Robert John
Producer(s)George Tobin in association with Mike Piccirillo
Robert John singles chronology
"Hushabye"
(1972) 		"Sad Eyes"
(1979) 		"Only Time"
(1979)

"Sad Eyes" is a song written and recorded by Robert John, and released in April 1979. It debuted May 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top of the chart the week of October 6.[3] It was produced by George Tobin in association with Mike Piccirillo.

Reminiscent of the doo-wop ballads of the 1950s, "Sad Eyes" became one of several non-disco, or disco-influenced, tunes to top the 1979 pop chart. It was released in April 1979, when many music fans were primarily listening to disco. In August 1979 there was a cultural anti-disco backlash that encouraged many to turn from disco to pop music instead. "Sad Eyes" is notable as the song that ended the six-week reign of the biggest smash hit of the year, The Knack's "My Sharona". This song explores the sadness experienced by a woman because her lover is leaving to return to his girlfriend/wife. The lyrics indicate that the relationship was intended from the start to be a temporary one that would end upon the girlfriend’s return. The song is told from the man’s point of view and expresses his efforts to console her.

  1. ^ Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (July 17, 2000). "The Linen: Soft Rock". Night Moves - Pop Music in the Late 70s. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-312-19821-3.
  2. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (February 19, 2020). "The Number Ones: Robert John's "Sad Eyes"". Stereogum. Retrieved July 12, 2023. The song essentially sounds like a doo-wop ballad, filtered through early-'70s soft-rock...
  3. ^ Billboard Hot 100, week of October 6, 1979 – Billboard.com. Retrieved January 28, 2023.