Robert John - Sad Eyes 1979 Apr 2026

In a year dominated by disco, "Sad Eyes" was one of the few pure pop ballads to reach #1. It famously knocked The Knack’s "My Sharona" out of the #1 position on October 6, 1979.

Before "Sad Eyes," Robert John (born Robert John Pedrick Jr.) was essentially retired and working in construction in New Jersey. He had seen early success as a child star in 1958 and again in 1972 with his cover of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," but he had become frustrated with the music industry. ROBERT JOHN - SAD EYES 1979

Features the legendary Darlene Love and her sister Edna Wright. In a year dominated by disco, "Sad Eyes"

Released in April 1979, the song took 20 weeks to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 —at the time tying the record for the longest climb to the top spot. He had seen early success as a child

The song earned Robert John a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male). Song Details Songwriter: Robert John Producers: George Tobin and Mike Piccirillo