Close Your Eyes
| PROFILE | |
| Composer and Lyricist | Bernice Petkere |
| Year Written | 1933 |
| About Close Your Eyes | |
| Bernice Petkere was named by Irving Berlin as the “Queen of Tin Pan Alley.” A vaudeville performer as a child, she sold her first song in 1931, Starlight, recorded by Bing Crosby. Close Your Eyes is her most well-known song. The song started getting jazz treatments in the 1950s, starting with a great duet from Coleman Hawkins and Milt Jackson. | |
Lyrics
Close your eyes
rest your head on my shoulder and sleep
Close your eyes
And I will close mine
Close your eyes
Let’s pretend that we’re both counting sheep
Close your eyes
This is divine
Music play
something dreamy for dancing
while were here romancing
It’s love’s holiday
And Love will be our guide
Close your Eyes
When you open them dear
I’ll be near by your side
So won’t you close your eyes…
Session / Album Information
1953
“Close Your Eyes” was recorded on July 31, 1953, and was released in 1956 on the Columbia collection Because of You. This version was arranged by Gil Evans and features The Pastels on background vocals.
This recording released on:
- 1956: Columbia LP 12″: CL 2550 — Because Of You
- 2011: Disc #1 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK1) Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1
1955
“Close Your Eyes” was recorded on January 4, 1955 and released that year as a single. It was arranged by Percy Faith and feature The Ray Charles Singers.
This recording released on:
- 1955: Columbia 78: 40427
- 1955: Columbia 45: 4-40427
- 1955: Philips 78: PB 445
- 1955: Philips 78: PB 445
- 2011: Disc #5 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK5) The Columbia Singles, Volume 3
1961
“Close Your Eyes” was recorded on April 5, 1961 and released in 1961 on the album My Heart Sings. It was arranged by Ralph Burns.
This recording released on:
- 1961: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8458 — My Heart Sings
- 1961: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1658 — My Heart Sings
- 1961: Philips LP 12″ (Mono): BBL 7495 — My Heart Sings (UK)
- 1961: Columbia 45: 4-42135
- 1987: CBS LP 12″: 4504651 — Jazz (UK)
- 1987: Columbia LP 12″: C2 40424 — Jazz
- 1987: Columbia CD: CGK 40424 — Jazz
- 1990: CBS/Sony CD: CSCS-5245 — My Heart Sings [Japan]
- 1998: Columbia CD: CK 65049 — This Is Jazz #33
- 2011: Disc #20 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK20) My Heart Sings