It’s been reported erroneously that James and Grace could not have listened to the song “I Only Have Eyes For You” in 1955 as it was not written until 1958-59. This is incorrect. Harry Warren and Al Dubin wrote “I Only Have Eyes For You” in 1934 for the film Dames. It is sung by Dick Powell on a ferryboat, and is reprised by Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler and the chorus in the movie’s Broadway show. It’s also often played throughout the movie as background music.
The Flamingos parlayed the song into a Top Ten hit in 1959, which is when it became hugely popular. But there is no reason why James and Grace could not have listened to a record of the song prior to that.
May 4th, 2005 at 12:58 am
Yes, but the recording which James plays in the band room is the Flamingoes cover and not the original, and that’s the one that hadn’t been recorded yet.