The renowned singer Kim Carnes has openly shared her thoughts regarding JoJo Siwa‘s recent cover of the iconic song “Bette Davis Eyes,” a track that dominated the charts by reaching No. 1 for an impressive five weeks back in 1981. Carnes expressed her initial concerns upon discovering that the two versions shared significant similarities, which she felt made Siwa’s rendition a bit too closely aligned with her own.

Despite her reservations, Carnes emphasized her desire to avoid anyone becoming a target of online negativity due to this situation. She advocates for compassion and understanding in the music community, highlighting the importance of supporting one another amidst criticism and scrutiny.

READ MORE: Discover Essential Albums from 1981

In a previous social media post that she later removed, Carnes remarked on the distinction between merely “singing a song and truly embodying it.” She stated, “I’ve always believed that authenticity is what gives music its timeless quality… I am endlessly grateful to be recognized as the voice behind this classic.”

Later, in a conversation with TMZ, she reflected: “When I first viewed my original performance juxtaposed with the new rendition… [t]the phrasing, the tone, even those subtle inflections – it all felt a little too familiar.”

She further elaborated, “This industry can be incredibly harsh, and I firmly disapprove of the type of hate and personal attacks that have been circulating online, whether aimed at myself, JoJo Siwa, or anyone else. Such behavior is unwelcome in music and in life.”

Watch Kim Carnes’ Iconic ‘Bette Davis Eyes’ Music Video

Listen to JoJo Siwa’s Unique Cover of ‘Bette Davis Eyes’

Carnes also noted, “On the flip side, I believe that artists should have the freedom to openly express their feelings about how certain things affect them, particularly when it comes to something as personal as one’s voice. As individuals, our voices are among the few things that we genuinely own. So, when it seems like someone is borrowing your voice, it touches a profoundly personal nerve.”

Kim Carnes Proudly Celebrates the Magic of ‘Bette Davis Eyes’

The song “Bette Davis Eyes” was initially penned by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974, and it was first released by DeShannon that same year, though it did not achieve significant success at that time. Carnes recalled, “When Donna Weiss first presented the song to me in 1980, I recognized an opportunity to truly make it my own.

“[W]We recorded the entire track in a single live take. There were no overdubs, no manipulation. What you hear on that record is exactly what we performed. The outcome was pure magic.”

She pointed out that her rendition continues to garner over 130 million streams annually, stating, “I take pride in the fact that my version of ‘BDE’ remains impactful… I have always aimed to honor and uphold the legacy of this remarkable recording.”