"What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?" is a song written by Joseph McCarthy, Howard Johnson and James V. Monaco in 1916 for the Broadway production Follow Me, in which it was performed by Henry Lewis.

Early recordings

Lewis' version was released as a single on Emerson Records in early 1917. Around the same time, a version by Sam Ash was released in February on Columbia Records, having been recorded on 11 December 1916. It was first a hit when released in March that year by Ada Jones and Billy Murray on Victor Records, peaking at number 3 on the US Billboard chart.

Emile Ford and the Checkmates version

The song became a UK hit in 1959 when a doo-wop version was recorded by Emile Ford and the Checkmates as the B-side of their single "Don't Tell Me Your Trouble". This B-side became more popular and it topped the charts for six weeks over the Christmas and New Year of 1959/60. It retained the number one position for the first three weeks of 1960. This earned Ford his first gold disc for sales of over a million, which was "an incredible feat for an unknown singer with his debut recording". The song was co-produced by Ford and Joe Meek.

Personnel

Charts

Shakin' Stevens version

In 1987, Welsh singer Shakin' Stevens covered the song for his album Let's Boogie. It became his first UK Top 10 hit in two years, peaking at number 5 on the Singles Chart and became his last until the re-entry of "Merry Christmas Everyone" in 2018.

Track listings

7": Epic / SHAKY 5 (UK) 7": Epic / 651255 7 (Australia) EP: Epic / SHAKY G5 (UK, Limited Edition)

Charts

Other versions