Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes

"Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes"
Written by	Slim Willet
Language	English
Form	Country
Original artist	Slim Willet– C&W chart entry: Sep 27 1952
Recorded by	Ray Price–Nov 8 1952 Skeets McDonald–Oct 25 1952 Perry Como–Nov 4 1952 (see also Other versions)

"Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" is an off meter ballad concerning a man away from home worried that his paramour may unwittingly stray from their relationship. The song was recorded in many different styles by many artists. It was written by Winston L. Moore (whose stage name was Slim Willet) and was published in 1952.^[1] The title comes from the opening refrain:

Don't let the stars get in your eyes,

Don't let the moon break your heart.

The song was first recorded by Slim Willet and the Brush Cutters (4 Star 11614, reaching #1) and then by Ray Price (Columbia 4-21025, reaching #5). Skeets McDonald followed with a Western swing hit, reaching #1 and staying on the charts 18 weeks. His version was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 2216 with the flip side “Big Family Trouble".^[2]

The best selling performance was a pop version recorded by Perry Como with The Ramblers on November 4, 1952 and released in the following versions^[1]:

• In the United States, by RCA Victor, as a 78 rpm single record (catalog number 20-5064^[3]) and a 45 rpm single (catalog number 47-5064), with the flip side “Lies”.^[3] This record reached #1 on the US Billboard charts.
• In Argentina by RCA Victor, as a single (catalog number 68-0722) with the flip side "No Hay Bote Como El De Remo."
• In the United Kingdom, by HMV, as a 78 rpm single (catalog number B-10400), with the flip side “To Know You (Is to Love You).” This record reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.^[4]

• In Germany, by HMV, as a 78 rpm single (catalog number X-8080), with the flip side “Outside of Heaven” by Eddie Fisher.

Semprini, pianoforte with rhythm accompaniment recorded it as the third song of the medley "Dancing to the piano (No. 12) - Hit medley of quick-steps" along with "She Wears Red Feathers" and "Wild Roses". The medley was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10457.

The song was also covered by Eileen Barton in a recording issued by Coral Records as catalog number 60882, with the flip side “Tennessee Tango”,^[5] and by country music artist k.d. lang on her 1988 album, Shadowland.

It was spoofed by Homer and Jethro on their album America's Song Butchers: The Weird World of Homer and Jethro in a song entitled "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs", the lyrics of which are also found in a Steve Goodman song entitled "Talk Backwards".

The song was recorded in 2008 by Australian singer and composer Alfio for his album Classic Rewinds which pays tribute to Perry Como, Dean Martin and 13 other popular Italian-American singers.

Other recorded versions

• Boxcar Willie (released by Mainstreet Records as catalog number 950, with the flip side “Boxcar Blues”^[6])
• Red Foley (recorded October 7, 1952, released by Decca Records as catalog number 28460, with the flip side “Sally”^[7])
• Henry Jerome (released by MGM Records as catalog number 11385, with the flip side “Keep It a Secret”^[8])
• Johnny and Jack (released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-5040, with the flip side “The Only One I Ever Loved, I Lost”^[3])
• Jimmy Justice (released 1964 by Blue Cat Records as catalog number 101, with the flip side “The Guitar Player (Her and Him)”^[9])
• Gisele MacKenzie (released by Capitol Records in the United States as catalog number 2256, with the flip side “My Favorite Song”,^[2] and in Australia as catalog number CP-200, with the flip side “Adios”^[10])
• Bobby Maxwell (released by Mercury Records as catalog number 70047, with the flip side “Ching-Ching-A-Ling”^[11])
• The Parisian Sextet (released 1962 by Challenge Records as catalog number 59137, with the flip side “The Poor People of Paris”^[12])
• Slim Whitman

See also

• List of number-one singles from the 1950s (UK)
• List of number-one singles of 1953 (U.S.)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Perry Como discography entry for “Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes”
2. ^ ^{a b} Capitol Records in the 2000 to 2499 series
3. ^ ^{a b c} RCA Victor Records in the 20-5000 to 20-5499 series
4. ^ Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 8. ISBN 0-85112-250-7. 
5. ^ Coral records in the 60000 series
6. ^ Mainstreet Records listing
7. ^ Decca Records in the 28000 to 28499 series
8. ^ MGM Records in the 11000 to 11499 series
9. ^ Blue Cat Records in the 101 to 130 series
10. ^ Australian Capitol Records listing
11. ^ Mercury Records in the 70000 to 71696 series
12. ^ Challenge Records listing