In an era where music is rediscovered and reimagined with each new beat, one artist continues to shine across the decades with the same brilliance and emotional clarity that first captivated the world—Jackie DeShannon.
This summer, her iconic legacy is once again front and center as JoJo Siwa’s electrifying revival of “Bette Davis Eyes” storms digital platforms, introducing a whole new generation to the haunting melody and lyrical mystique that helped define the 1980s. While many remember the hit as a chart-topping sensation for Kim Carnes, it was Jackie DeShannon who first wrote and recorded the song, laying the foundation for what would become a timeless cultural phenomenon.
DeShannon’s version, filled with sultry emotion and poetic nuance, revealed a depth that continues to resonate. Now, as JoJo Siwa reinterprets the song through her bold, Gen Z lens, fans are once again tracing the song’s roots back to the woman who birthed it. It’s a full-circle moment that cements DeShannon not just as a songwriter of her time—but as a visionary artist whose work transcends time itself.
And “Bette Davis Eyes” is just one brushstroke in DeShannon’s masterwork.
Her classic “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” remains one of the most covered and beloved songs in modern history. From Annie Lennox and Al Green’s unforgettable duet to countless gospel, pop, and international renditions, the song is more than a melody—it’s a universal message. One that feels more urgent today than ever.
As the world continues to seek healing, connection, and hope, Jackie’s music is a reminder that songs can still change hearts—and maybe even the world.
Nowhere is that more evident than in her enduring anthem “What the World Needs Now Is Love.” A song that, decades after its release, was officially recognized for its cultural and historical significance by being enshrined in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. It’s a rare honor bestowed on recordings that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” and few songs fit that description more precisely than DeShannon’s.
With her words still echoing through stadiums, protest marches, weddings, and TikToks, Jackie DeShannon stands as one of the most influential and unsung heroes of modern songwriting. Her music is more than nostalgic—it’s alive, relevant, and essential.
As Bette Davis Eyes once again captures headlines, playlists, and hearts, it’s a perfect time to say what should never be forgotten:
Jackie DeShannon is not just part of musical history—she is musical history.
And her songs? They’re still teaching us how to love.