I'll Close My Eyes is a song with words and music originally written by the English songwriter and bandleader Billy Reid and published in 1945. It is usually performed in a later version with different words by the American songwriter Buddy Kaye to Reid's original music. It has become a jazz standard.
The original version of the song had both music and lyrics written by Billy Reid.
In this original version, the song is a song of regret, with a verse introducing the theme in words which include: \"Love was mine, you gave me a chance; But my heart was not content and I lost my romance..\" The main song refrain then begins (as it does in the later version) \"I'll close my eyes\" but continues \"and make believe it's you\". The song then continues on the theme that the singer has foolishly lost his love and can now only close his eyes and imagine her in his loneliness.
It was recorded with the original Billy Reid words by the English singer Dorothy Squires, who had a close association with Billy Reid.
The Swingin' Miss D is a 1957 studio album by Dinah Washington, arranged by Quincy Jones.
Dinah's accompanied by Quincy Jones (conductor/arranger); Hal McKusick (alto saxophone, flugelhorn); Danny Bank (baritone saxophone); Milt Hinton (double bass); Osie Johnson (drums); Barry
Galbraith (guitar); Nick Travis & Bernie Glow (trumpet); and Clarence \"Sleepy\" Anderson (piano).
Heaven sends a song through its doors
Just as if it seems to know, I'm exclusively yours
Knowing this, I feel but one way
You will understand too, in these words that I say
I'll close my eyes to everyone but you
And when I do, I'll see you standing there
I'll lock my heart to any other caress
I'll never say yes to a new love affair
I'll close my eyes to everything that's gay
If you're not there, to share each lovely day
And through the years, those moments
When we're far apart
I'll close my eyes and see you with my heart
I'll close my eyes to everything that's gay
Lord, if you are not there, to share each lovely day
And through the years those moments
When we're far apart
I'll close my eyes oh and see you with my heart
