JoJo Siwa’s new cover of “Bette Davis Eyes” doesn’t appear to be resonating with singer Kim Carnes, who first made the song famous 44 years ago.
Carnes seemingly dismissed Siwa’s rendition of “Bette Davis Eyes” while sharing a throwback clip of the original 1981 music video for the song in a since-deleted TikTok Wednesday.
“There is a difference between singing a song…. And embodying it….” Carnes wrote in the post, which was captured for posterity on the New York Post’s Page Six, among other outlets, as well as on social media.
She went on to note, “I’m forever grateful to be the voice behind this one….. Bette Davis Eyes.”
Jojo Siwa released her cover of “Bette Davis Eyes” this week after performing the song in concert several times this year.
Christopher Polk via Getty Images
Carnes, who resides in Nashville, Tennessee, didn’t mention Siwa by name in the post. However, Siwa had by then already been teasing the Friday release of her “Bette Davis Eyes” cover on social media.
The 22-year-old singer, actor and YouTube superstar has also performed the song on tour this year, notably changing the lyrics to “Chris Hughes’ eyes” at several concerts ― a nod to her real-life boyfriend, “Love Island” contestant Chris Hughes.
A representative for Siwa did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment on Carnes’ remark.
Carnes’ version of “Bette Davis Eyes” held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard charts for nine weeks in 1981, later winning Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Kim Carnes’ 1981 version of “Bette Davis Eyes” hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts for nine weeks and won two Grammys.
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Given the smash success of Carnes’ version, fans may be surprised to learn the song was originally recorded by singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon, who co-wrote it with Donna Weiss for her 1975 album, “New Arrangement.”
More recently, Leighton Meester and Gwyneth Paltrow have covered the song, while Taylor Swift performed it live on her 2011 Speak Now World Tour.
Despite Carnes’ seemingly less-than-positive thoughts on Siwa’s cover of “Bette Davis Eyes,” the new version appears to be contributing to the song’s surprise resurgence across the pop culture spectrum this summer.
On Thursday, Carnes’ version was played during a steamy scene on “And Just Like That…,” HBO Max’s “Sex and the City” revival series.
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And last week, singer-songwriter Ethel Cain released a new single, “Fuck Me Eyes,” with third-person lyrics that seem directly inspired by “Bette Davis Eyes.” She even paid tribute to Carnes in an Instagram post announcing the song’s release.