Them There Eyes 1938
Vocals: Freddie Green
Band: The Kansas City Six
Songwriting: Pinkard / Tracey / Tauber
I fell in love with you first time
I looked into them there eyes
You’ve got a certain way of flirtin’
With them there eyes
You make me feel so happy,
You make me feel so blue
I’m fallin’, No stallin’
Fallin’ in a great big way for you
My heart is thumpin’, solid jumpin’
Them there eyes
You’d better look out babe if you’re wise
Oh wise babe
They sparkle, they bubble
They’re gonna get you in a whole lot of trouble
Oh baby!
Them there eyes
From our exhibit, Changing Their Tune:
Unlike many oopsie gaysie tunes, this one can be connected to queerness no matter who sings it. Throughout, the use of the non-gendered pronouns “I” and “you” allow anyone to relate to the perspectives in the song, while leaving the genders of the narrator and their love interest wide open.
Of particular interest to queer listeners is the inclusion of the word “they.” Though the lyrics imply the word refers to the lover’s eyes (which the potential interpretation of “them, their eyes” also supports), for non binary listeners it can be a way to hear themselves in the songs of the past loud and clear.