Throwing back to the week of March 15, 1975, we find The Doobie Brothers’ ‘Black Water’ moving into the #1 spot. Hot on its heels, a week before its own stint at #1, was Frankie Valli’s ‘My Eyes Adored You.’
This song was initially recorded by The Four Seasons but their Motown label declined to release it. Instead, Four Seasons lead singer Valli bought the rights for $4,000 and ended up with his first solo #1.
This was a slow time for The Four Seasons, badly in need of a hit after their 60s heyday. But the success of Valli’s song did lead to a resurgence for the band, who were signed to a new contract by Warner Bros. A year later, they had their first #1 hit in a decade.
‘My Eyes Adored You’ is a sweet song about an unrequited childhood crush. I’ve always found one line unintentionally funny: “Though I never laid a hand on you.” That wording makes it sound like this lovelorn singer has been accused of assault.
My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you
Like a million miles away from me, you couldn’t see
How I adored you
So close, so close
And yet so far
[Verse 1]
Carried your books from school
Playing make-believe you’re married to me
You were fifth grade, I was sixth
When we came to be
[Verse 2]
Walking home every day, over
Barnegat Bridge and Bay
‘Til we grew into the me and you
Who went our separate ways
[Chorus]
My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you
Like a million miles away from me you couldn’t see
How I adored you
So close, so close
And yet so far
[Verse 3]
Headed for city lights
Climbed the ladder up to fortune and fame
I worked my fingers to the bone
Made myself a name
[Verse 4]
Funny, I seem to find
That no matter how the years unwind
Still I reminisce ’bout the girl I miss
And the love I left behind
[Chorus]
My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you
Like a million miles away from me you couldn’t see
How I adored you
So close, so close
And yet so far
[Bridge]
All my life I will remember
How warm and tender we were way back then
Though I’m feeling sad regrets
I know I won’t ever forget you, my childhood friend
[Outro]
(My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you
Like a million miles away from me you couldn’t see
How I adored you
So close, so close
And yet so far
My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you
Like a million miles away…)
Meet Me In Montauk 
always liked this song and that line is funny and would probably not be written today except in a rap song 🤷♀️
I have always liked this song and remember it playing on the radio long before I knew anything about Valle or the Four Seasons. I never really thought twice about the “laid a hand” line, but agree it hasn’t worn well.