WILLIE NELSON - Spanish Eyes

WILLIE NELSON - Spanish Eyes

The earliest vocal version was recorded by Freddy Quinn in 1965 titled as "Spanish Eyes"; soon after its release, the single was pulled from the market when Polydor (Quinn's label) and Decca (Kaempfert's label) threatened to sue, claiming ownership of the song.

A version by Sergio Franchi with lyrics by Charles Singleton was recorded in late 1965 titled "Moon Over Naples", but did not chart. It would become a hit single in 1966 for Al Martino when a new set of lyrics were written by composer Eddie Snyder, now titled "Spanish Eyes". (All subsequent versions used this title, and now listed both Singleton and Snyder among the credits.)

Released in late 1965 in the United States, this recording reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent four weeks atop the Billboard Easy Listening chart in early 1966. This vocal version was also a hit in Europe, where it sold an estimated 800,000 copies in Germany and made the UK Singles Chart twice, peaking at number 49 in 1970 and then reaching number five in August 1973.

Andy Williams released a version in 1967 on his album, Born Free.

In 1968, "Moon Over Naples" earned Kaempfert one of five BMI Awards that year; the other awards were for his compositions "Lady", "Sweet Maria", "Strangers in the Night" and "The World We Knew (Over and Over)" with a posthumous BMI Award given September 16, 2003.

As "Spanish Eyes", the song would go on to be performed by the likes of Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Engelbert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton and Faith No More. A cover by Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1988.

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