While many know Kim Carnes for the iconic “Bette Davis Eyes”, which was one of the defining songs of the 1980s and a Grammy-winning Record of the Year (as well as an infamous cover version performed by Jojo Siwa) a new box set reminds listeners that her story extends far beyond a single hit. Now, fans can experience the full breadth of her remarkable career with Kim Carnes – Universal Songs: The A&M, EMI America & MCA Years, the first-ever comprehensive Kim Carnes box set.
From early successes like “You’re A Part Of Me” and her soulful take on “More Love” to her songwriting partnership with husband Dave Ellingson on Kenny Rogers’ triple-platinum Gideon album, Kim built an impressive catalog long before topping charts around the world.
Spanning 10 discs and covering every album Kim recorded for A&M, EMI America, and MCA between 1975 and 1988, Universal Songs offers an expansive look at the singer-songwriter’s evolution from acclaimed songwriter to Grammy-winning global superstar.
Compiled with Kim’s full cooperation, the set also includes several sought-after 12-inch dance mixes making their CD debut, along with bonus tracks that showcase her versatility and songwriting prowess. Among the highlights are her duets with Barbra Streisand on “Make No Mistake,” which Carnes wrote, and Kenny Rogers on the chart-topping hit “What About Me.” Fans will also find the three new songs originally recorded for her 1993 Gypsy Honeymoon collection.
The box set traces her creative peak through landmark albums including Mistaken Identity, Voyeur, Café Racers and Barking at Airplanes, showcasing the raspy, emotionally rich voice that made every song unmistakably her own. It also shines a light on later gems such as Lighthouse and View From The House, records that remain beloved by longtime fans and contain some of the strongest material of her career.
For Kim, the box set represents something deeper than a retrospective. “I began my career as a songwriter, and will always be a songwriter, first,” she says. “Every song I write or song that I cover is from my heart. I have to love it. It has to be honest.” That commitment to authenticity runs through every recording collected here, making Universal Songs not just a box set, but a testament to an artist who has spent a lifetime connecting with listeners through music that feels real, heartfelt, and enduring.
Kim Carnes – Universal Songs: The A&M, EMI America & MCA Years will be released on October 23, 2026. Ypu can pre-order the set here.
