Beautiful in My Eyes

"Beautiful in My Eyes" is a song by American singer-songwriter Joshua Kadison. It was released in February 1994 as the second single from his 1993 debut album, Painted Desert Serenade, surpassing the performance of his debut single and breakout hit "Jessie", reaching No. 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and charting in four other countries, including Australia, where it peaked at No. 5. In 1995, it was re-released in the United Kingdom, reaching the top 40 and peaking at No. 37 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Beautiful in My Eyes"
Single by Joshua Kadison
from the album Painted Desert Serenade
B-side	"All I'll Ever Ask"
Released	February 1994 (1994-02)
Genre	Pop
Length	4:07
Label	SBK
Songwriter(s)	Joshua Kadison
Producer(s)	Peter Van Hooke Rod Argent
Joshua Kadison singles chronology
"Jessie" (1993) "Beautiful in My Eyes" (1994) "Picture Postcards from L.A." (1994)

Background

Kadison described the song as being about "a love that just lasts forever, and you'll always be beautiful in my eyes."^[1] Years after its release, the song was often mistaken as an Elton John song, due to Kadison's baritone voice being similar to John's and in how he plays the piano on it.^{[citation needed]}

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Kadison follows the slow-growing "Jessie" with another easy-going, piano-driven pop ballad wrapped with sugary, romantic prose and gospel-spiked background vocals. Kadison's earnest, wide-eyed performance keeps things from flying too far over the top. Song will test his base at top 40 radio, although it is an easy bet for immediate AC action."^[2] Fell and Rufer from the Gavin Report remarked that it was released on the one-year anniversary of the release of his first single, complimenting it as a "fabulous production that builds to a string-laden climax."^[3] A reviewer from Music Week gave it three out of five, commenting, "Another obvious smash from this softcore Billy Joel. Despite the comparative UK failure of "Jessie", one of these songs is going to take off here, but which one?"^[4]

Charts

Weekly chart Chart (1994–1995) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[5] 5 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[6] 20 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[7] 3 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8] 84 Germany (GfK)[9] 55 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] 23 Scotland (OCC)[11] 93 Scotland (OCC)[12] 1995 re-release 33 UK Singles (OCC)[13] 65 UK Singles (OCC)[13] 1995 re-release 37 US Billboard Hot 100[14] 19 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[15] 4 US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)[16] 28 US Cash Box Top 100[17] 15

Year-end chart Chart (1994) Position Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[18] 21 US Billboard Hot 100[19] 79 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[20] 14

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	February 1994	Adult contemporary radio	SBK	[21]
	March 1994	Top 40 radio