Kim Carnes Albums Ranked

Kim Carnes (born July 20, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she began her career as a songwriter in the 1960s, writing for other artists while performing in local clubs and working as a session background singer with the famed Waters sisters (featured in the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom). After she signed her first publishing deal with Jimmy Bowen, she released her debut album Rest on Me in 1971. Carnes’ self-titled second album primarily contained self-penned songs, including her first charting single “You’re a Part of Me”, which reached No. 35 on the BillboardAdult Contemporary chart in 1975. In the following year, Carnes released Sailin’, which featured “Love Comes from Unexpected Places”. The song won the American Song Festival and the award for Best Composition at the Tokyo Song Festival in 1976. Her distinctive, raspy vocal style has drawn comparisons to Rod Stewart. Her most recent studio album is Chasin’ Wild Trains (2004). As of 2017, Carnes was residing in Nashville, Tennessee, where she continues to write music. Here are all of Kim Carnes’s albums ranked.

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10. Sailin’ (1976)

“Before Kim Carnes hit #1 with “Bette Davis Eyes” she’d had career as a country/pop singer and “Sailing” was one of the better albums from that period. Songs like “The Best of You”, “It’s Not The Spotlight” or “Let Your Love Come Easy” are the best here and prove that Kim Carnes had one of the best voices in the industry. If her record label had put more interest into promoting her music she would have been as successful as Linda Ronstadt or Olivia Newton-John.”

9. Rest On Me (1971)

“Kim definitely had some country roots with this early career record. I didn’t think I was going to find it, but when it became available here, I snagged it. there are about 11 songs. She wasn’t a writer so much as a crooner. The album probably only clocks in at about 30 minutes, but still is a pleasant listen to hear what her voice sounded like before the rasp really kicked in as in the 1980s.”

8. Kim Carnes (1975)

“The best CD I have ever owned. So many variations in sound and lyrics, so enjoyable to kick back and listen to. What a lovely beautiful voice Kim is gifted with.”

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7. Cafe Racers (1983)

“Kim Carnes’ “Café Racers”, released in 1983, was the singer’s follow up to 1982’s critically acclaimed but commercially lackluster “Voyeur”. On this effort Carnes does a complete 180 and goes from the straight forward rock of “Voyeur” to electronic synth dance pop on “Café Racers”, along with some breath taking pop ballads.”

6. Barking At Airplanes (1985)

“Kim Carnes was way ahead of her time and she was always true to herself! Her music was creative , fresh and original and she had a voice like no other female! I always felt that Kim never did receive the recognition or accolades that she deserved but to me, she is one of the greatest female voices in music history!”

5. Romance Dance (1980)

“Very underrated studio album by one of the greatest female songwriters/singers. “Romance Dance” has everything: pop, country, rock and roll and even soul songs. The best tracks are: “Swept Me Off My Feet”, “More Love” (her first solo TOP 10 hit), “And Still Loving You” and powerful ballad “Will You Remember Me”

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4. Light House (1986)

“Kim Carnes’ “Light House” was her last album on EMI America, and as others have mentioned it didn’t chart particularly well. It did produce the memorable single “Divided Hearts,” and included a cover of the Bellamy Brothers hit “I’d Lie To You For Your Love,” which was also released as a promotional single. Stylistically, “Light House” continued to merge Carnes’ country-folk sensibility with rock and synth-pop influences, producing a sound that was state of the art in 1986. Producer Val Garay, who worked with Carnes on both “Mistaken Identity” (1981) and “Voyeur” (1982), is largely responsible for making those various musical influences come together seamlessly in the final mix.”

3. Voyeur (1982)

“Carnes followed up her tremendous success with “Bette Davis Eyes” and the album “Mistaken Identity” with this album, leaning more on synth-pop with stunning results. The musicianship is tight, full, and complicated and the vocals are strong throughout. Lyrics are very clever and unusual as Carnes focuses in on human relationships and self-examination. Highlights are “Say You Don’t Know Me,” “Undertow,” “Take It On The Chin,” the heartfelt and haunting “Break-in’ Away From Sanity,” and “Does It Make You Remember,” in which Carnes serves up lyrics that the listener can visualize, thereby making the song even more interesting to listen to. Actually, every track is excellent and makes for a nice package by this always sincere and talented singer.”

2. Gypsy Honeymoon (The Best Of Kim Carnes) (1993)

“There are several Kim Carnes’ collections available, so knowing which one to go for can be a bit of a challenge. My advice, though, would be to plump for this one. Kim is a highly talented lady – a great songwriter, with a gritty, raspy, soulful voice.”

1. Mistaken Identity (1981)

“Of all Kim Carnes’ albums, this one took the longest to grow on me, even though it was her best-selling and contains her signature song. The indelible keyboard riff from “Bette Davis Eyes” and Kim’s trademark raspy vocal made it one of the biggest singles of the decade and is still well-loved.”