Paulson: We had Art Garfunkel on the show not long ago, and I asked him, "Did you think you'd be singing Bridge over Troubled Waters for the rest of your career?" And he said, "No, not really." He was proud of the song, but I don't think he saw it as the anthem it was about to be. Same question for you and "Bette Davis Eyes." Did you know it was going to be a song that would be with you forever?
Carnes: We did. Right after we recorded it, we just knew — the whole band, we all had this great feeling, how special it was. And it was just unique-sounding; the lyrics were unique. And different musicians and acts over the next months that would come and work in the adjacent studio would hear "Bette Davis Eyes," and they'd always come in every night before leaving and say, "We got to have our fix. Please, just play it for us." And it is one of those times — I fought very hard for it to be released as a first single 'cause I believed so much in it. We all did. I mean, we were — we were united, definitely.
Paulson: Well, it turned out very well and opened other doors for you. You ended up winning your second Grammy writing music for "Flashdance."
Carnes: Yeah, that was great.
Paulson: Was it different to write for a film?
Carnes: I love writing for projects. Dave Ellingson, my husband, and I had written — I guess right before "Bette Davis Eyes" — a concept album for Kenny Rogers called Gideon, and that was basically coming up with a story of a modern-day cowboy, writing a story, and then backtracking and writing all the songs. So, much the same going and viewing a film. In "Flashdance," I was told where they needed a song. They needed one ballad, and, I wrote "Ill be Here Where the Heart Is," and they liked it.
Paulson: Beyond that period in your life, you got involved — beyond your own personal career, you got involved in one of the biggest projects ever, the recording of the number-one charity single of the '80s and a groundbreaking song called "We are the World."
Carnes: Yeah.
Paulson: And you are invited to a recording studio. And who all was there? It was Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen.
Carnes: Quincy Jones, Cyndi Lauper.
Paulson: Michael Jackson.
Carnes: Michael Jackson, Paul Simon.
Paulson: Huey Lewis.
Carnes: Mm-hmm. Lionel Richie.
Paulson: Willie Nelson.
Carnes: Ah, let's see. Bette Midler. Oh, there's so many people.
Paulson: Basically everyone who was popular in popular music.
Carnes: Hall and Oates.
Paulson: Absolutely. And, how did you get wind of that? How did you get in that mix?
Carnes: Ken Kragen, who put the project together with Quincy Jones called one day and explained this whole project, explained that Lionel and Michael Jackson had written this song, and, did I want to be a part of it? So, "Yeah, of course," and it was awesome. We got a call to show up at 7:30, 8 oclock at night, and as everyone filed into the studio, there was a big sign over the door that Quincy Jones had put up: "Leave your egos at the door." And from that time on, the night was just magical. I think maybe the neatest time was, in between singing, we took a little break, and everyone had sheet music, and everybody started taking their sheet music around to other musicians, getting autographs, and it was, it was great. That was really a memorable, wonderful, wonderful night.
Paulson: Do you recall your one line?
Carnes: Wait. "When we stand together as one." Yeah, at the very end of the bridge.
Paulson: It's funny, because you have all this star power, and everyone gets one line, and then it got to you.
Carnes: Thats right. It was awesome, though. I mean, everyone was so gracious and just did a great job, you know. By the time we left, the sun was up, and no one was tired. I mean, there was so much energy in that room.
Paulson: There — there've been quite a few records that have followed in the footsteps of that. Did you know, going in that day, that this is something that would resonate around the world?
Carnes: Pretty much, yes. I — yeah, I think everyone felt that.
Paulson: So, what's been your greatest satisfaction as a songwriter?
Carnes: The songwriter shows that I do with this group that's up here and, when we add — do songwriting in the round — add two or three other writers, and sing for two, sometimes three hours — just take turns; everyone does their own song. Those nights are so gratifying. I just love them. I'm in awe of everybody up here, and by far, those are the best times.
Paulson: Let's give the audience a taste of what you're talking about.
Carnes: Oh, yeah.
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another queen... another wonderful woman... and such a voice!
wintceas 8 months ago
Kim deserved to be included with all of the other artists at the We Are the World recording. She's easily the equal to any of the performers there.
ilovesheenaeaston 1 year ago
She looks quite a bit like Joan Van Ark here. Maybe it's 'cause of the long blonde hair.
mthivier 1 year ago
JANUARY 16, 2010 • Saturday • IN THE ROUND WITH KIM CARNES, MATRACA BERG & PETER COOPER, WITH BILLY PANDA, TIM LAUER AND DAVE ELLINGSON • A BENEFIT FOR ALIVE HOSPICE • Bluebird Café • 4104 Hillsboro Road • Nashville, TN, USA • Phone: 615-383-1461 • Artists: Kim Carnes, Matraca Berg, Peter Cooper, Billy Panda, Tim Lauer and Dave Ellingson. • Hours: 09:30 p.m. • $15.00 • All Proceeds Benefit Alive Hospice.
fckimcarnes 2 years ago
MAY 16th, 2009 • Saturday • BLUEBIRD ON THE MONTAIN • Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory • 1000 Oman Drive • Brentwood, TN • Phone: 615-373-4897 • Fax: 615-371-3904 • Artists: Kim Carnes (with band Tim Lauer, Billy Panda and Dave Ellingson), Tim Nichols and Greg Barnhill. • Hours: 07:00 p.m. • Tickets are available at Ticketmaster
gmcorrea 2 years ago