In 1959, Francis recorded both versions of the lyrics, with the same orchestral arrangement. Dorothy Squires (with Billy Reid's original words) - 1945.Performers who have recorded the song in vocal or instrumental versions include: It was broadcast by Frances Langford with the new words as early as 1947, in a Maxwell House Radio Show. In this form, it was taken up by a number of singers. It thus becomes, not a song of loss, but a commitment to fidelity in a relationship which is expected to last. The song then continues on the theme that the singer will always be faithful, will "lock my heart to any other caress" and will close his eyes to see his love "through the years" in "those moments when we're apart". The initial phrase of the song remains "I'll close my eyes" but now it continues ".to everyone but you". Soon after its release, new words were written for the Billy Reid tune by the American songwriter Buddy Kaye. It was recorded with the original Billy Reid words by the English singer Dorothy Squires, who had a close association with Billy Reid. 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. 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 original version of the song had both music and lyrics written by Billy Reid. It is usually performed in a later version with different words by the American songwriter Buddy Kaye to Reid's original music. " I'll Close My Eyes" is a song with words and music by the English songwriter and bandleader Billy Reid which was first published in 1945. JSTOR ( April 2020) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: "I'll Close My Eyes" song – news Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.