[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4109847_uxfpw/Guess%20Who%20-%20These%20Eyes.mp3] The Guess Who – These Eyes (1968) #6 Pop

This is one of many American hits for the rock group “The Guess Who” from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This song has become a standard love song covered by many. It appeared on the group’s second LP “Wheatfield Soul” on RCA Records.

It was not until I sat down to do this post that I learned the group was from Canada. I love their songs; “Laughing”, “No Time,” “No Sugar Tonight,” and “Share the Land” and have ever since they were first released. But when you have a hit song such as “American Woman” — well who knew they were not American (LOL). I guess I never really paid attention to the “AW” lyrics.

Still performing today, check out their current The Official Website of the Guess Who. To brush up on the history of the group please read “The Guess Who” article at ClassicBands.com

[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4109441_pqcms/19.%20Jr.%20Walker%20%26%20the%20All%20Stars%20-%20These%20Eyes.mp3] These Eyes – Jr. Walker & The All Stars (1969) #3 R&B & #16 Pop

Saxophonist Autry DeWalt II began playing tenor saxophone in high school and moved on to clubs with various group configurations, under the name Junior Walker.

“… discovered by singer Johnny Bristol, who recommended them to his friend, ex-Moonglow Harvey Fuqua. Fuqua signed the group to his Harvey label in 1961; they made their first recordings in 1962, and the following year Fuqua’s labels were absorbed by Motown.

Walker & the All-Stars ended up on their Soul subsidiary, debuting for the label in 1964. In early 1965, they scored their first big hit with the dance tune “Shotgun,” which marked Walker’s vocal debut; in fact, the only reason he sang the song was that the vocalist he’d hired didn’t show up for the session, and he was somewhat flabbergasted by the label’s decision to leave his vocal intact. Berry Gordy’s instincts proved right, however, when “Shotgun” topped the R&B charts and hit the pop Top Five. A steady stream of mostly instrumental R&B chart hits followed, …”

(Excerpt from Junior Walker Biography by Steve Huey)

“These Eyes” is one of those many great hits from the group’s Motown/Soul Label era. This was one of my high school favorites! I did not have the 1969 “Gotta Hold on to This Feeling” LP but I had the 45 rpm single (the second to come from this LP) and wore out it’s grooves!  What a winner.

Please share you opinion by voting and pass the word about the great classic oldies such as these so that we can keep ‘em alive. Won’t you please?

Related posts:

1. “I Only Have Eyes For You” Performed By The Flamingos (1959) & Jermaine Jackson (1972) & Eddy Duchin (1934)
2. "Look In My Eyes" Performed by The Chantels (1961)
3. "California Soul" (1968 & 1969)