Peters had one other Top 100 record and it was also a covered version, 'Dedicated to the One I Love', it would reached #65 in 1981.

Cohan, opened at the Palace Theater in New York City.īernadette Peters played the part of Josie Cohan, and she won a 'Theatre World Award' for her performance.Įxactly twelve years later on April 10th, 1980 Bernadette Peters' debut charted record, a covered version of Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes)', was at #68 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 a little over six weeks later on May 25th it would peak at #31 on March 27th, 1961.

Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 10th 1968, the Broadway musical 'George M!', featuring the music of George M.

Bruce Big Bold Harrison from Lawton, OkThe delivery of the lyrics by such a young Carla Thomas, on Gee Whiz, really is mesmerizing.

They rolled tape and got it right in the first take, with the then 17-year-old Thomas nailing her vocal on the first try.Ī few days later, Thomas started her freshman year at Tennessee A&I University, and in March 1961, the song peaked at #10. When they were finally ready to go, it was 5 o'clock and the musicians were making overtime. By 2:30, the arranger had not arrived, so Stewart took over the session, working out the arrangement on the fly with Gilbert. in their studios on McLemore Avenue, which was a converted theater with no air conditioning. The session was booked for and August day in 1960 at 2 p.m.

Stewart booked a group called the Veltones to do background vocals and also a 3-piece string section led by his former violin teacher Noel Gilbert. When Rufus played a demo of the song for label boss Jim Stewart, he heard the hit potential and went all out to record it properly. Even by 1960 standards, the lyrics were old fashioned, but Thomas delivered them so convincingly (especially the first, extended 'Geeeee.') that the song caught on and landed in the Top 10 of the American Pop charts.Ĭarla is the daughter of Rufus Thomas, who was recording for Satellite Records in Memphis, which would later morph into Stax.

It's a very innocent song where she finds herself thinking of how she can approach her crush - the guy who is 'awful nice' and has eyes that hypnotize. Carla Thomas wrote this song when she was just 16 years old.

The World in His Eyes by A.J. Thomas