Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Album: Best Of The Platters (1958)
Charted: 1 1
Play Video
  • Lyrics currently unavailable Writer/s: Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach
    Publisher: Audiam, Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L., Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Comments: 20

  • Sue Formerly From Cincy from TennesseeI attended Webster Elementary in the late 50's. Our music teacher was Mrs. Browning. She loved this song and taught it to us. We performed it for the PTA. Pleasant little memory.
  • Delta from EuropeThe first thirty, forty seconds of this song are unparalleled magic that transports me to another world. Echoes of another era, long gone.

    I can't find much information about the lead vocalist in this song, but he is magnificent.

    The age of the recording shows, but perhaps that is part of its charm.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaThis may sound awful but never could figure out the meaning and always thought this was a weird song.
  • Seventhmist from 7th Heaven"MASH" had a little fun with this one. Hawkeye sings "She asked me how I knew….her brassiere was blue."
  • Dan from SeattleParodied by The Four Preps in their medley "More Money for You and Me" in 1960.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 20th 1959, the Platters performed "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time their covered version was at #4 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and one month and one day earlier on January 19th, 1959 it peaked at #1 {for 3 weeks} and spent 19 weeks on the Top 100...
    Prior to reaching #1 it spent four weeks at #2; and the #1 record for those four weeks was “The Chipmunk Song" by the Chipmunks with the Music of David Seville...
    On the same 'Bandstand' show the quintet also performed "Enchanted"; it would peak at #12 {for 1 week} on May 4th, 1959 and stayed on the chart for 15 weeks...
    Sadly; all five original members have passed away; the last being Herbert Reed, who died on June 4th, 2012 at the age of 83...
    May they all R.I.P.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 5th 1972, "Smokes Gets In Your Eyes" by Blue Haze entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #98; and 9 weeks later on January 7th, 1973 it peaked at #27 {for 2 weeks} and spent 14 weeks on the Top 100...
    In 1958 Richard Barrett covered the song; his version entered the Top 100 on April 13th, 1958 for a one week stay at position #94*...
    * The record was tied at #94 with six others songs; "Bluebirds Over the Mountains" by Erzel Hickey, "Yes, My Darling" by Fats Domino, "April Love" by Pat Boone, "Lollipop" by Ronald and Ruby, "The Story of My Life" by Marty Robbins, and "College Man" by Bill Justis...
    {Concerning the tie at #94; see http://books.google.com/books?id=9AoEAAAAMBAJ&source=gbs_all_issues_r&cad=1 and then type Richard Barrett is 'Search' box}.
  • Paulo Ricardo from São Paulo, BrazilBob Hope didn't work in "Roberta"
  • John from Wirral, United KingdomCourted my wife to this song classic!!
  • Shawn from Green Bay, WiJust lyrical, enchanting and beautiful. Like love itself.
  • Diane from Las Vegas, CaI know that this song was sung by Irene Dunne in the musical Roberta in 1935, starring Irene Dunne, Randolph Scott, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Very good movie!
  • Guy from Woodinville, WaYes, the "American Grafitti" use of the Platters recording is just too perfect! Ron Howard & Cindy Williams are having a fight at the dance when their names are called out. They have to dance in the spotlight to "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" while she cries into his shoulder. What a wonderfully poignant moment from a classic watershed movie chock-full of future starts!
  • Mark from Austin, TxHello! The best example (and most touching,imho) of the use of this song in film is "American Graffiti"! watch it!
  • Nathan from Prague, NeThe song was also in the 1986 horror,comedy Night Of The Creeps. Which is a great movie by the way.
  • Krystel from Glenreagh, AustraliaA beautiful song... I get to sing this at my exam coming up in the next few days. It is full of emotion and just a hint of cheeky, but mostly wistful. I like it.
  • Dee from Indianapolis, InThis song reminds me of my 1st love. I had one date with her and it was to see the movie "Always". Other songs remind me of her, but this is the one that brings tears to my eyes for never sharing my true feelings for her when I had the chance. Regrets are many, past love is fleeting, say it while you can.
  • Ralph from Boston, MaA long time ago I read that the tune was baised on a march tune which "didn't make it". Subsequently, so the storey goes, it was "slowed-down" and a hit was born.
    Does any one know more than that?
    thanks very much.
  • Keith from Slc, UtThis was the "our song" in the movie "Always," about pilots who drop chemical retardant on forest fires.
  • Helen from York, EnglandI do believe this was the song Shirley Bassey sang on the Morecambe and Wise show, during which she lost her shoe and Morecambe follows her around until he can slip his own shoe on her bare foot. She remains straight-faced throughout.
  • Hart from New Haven, CtOne of the best.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.