Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)

"Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)"
Single by Book of Love
from the album Book of Love
B-side"Mo'dub'iani"
ReleasedApril 1987
Recorded1985–1986
StudioUnique Recording (New York City)
GenreSynthpop, new wave
Length3:59 (album version)
3:53 (single remix version)
LabelSire Records
Songwriter(s)Jade Lee
Susan Ottaviano
Theodore Ottaviano
Producer(s)Ivan Ivan
Book of Love singles chronology
"You Make Me Feel So Good"
(1986) 		"Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)"
(1987) 		"Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls"
(1988)

"Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)" is the fourth single released by the American synthpop band Book of Love. The song was included on the band's eponymous debut album Book of Love in 1986. "Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)", was released as a single in early 1987, making it the fourth and final single release from the album. The B-side to the single is a remixed version of "Modigliani" by Omar Santana, titled "Mo'dub'iani".

Background

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"Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)" is an ode to Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani. The track was penned by Jade Lee, Susan Ottaviano, and Ted Ottaviano (not related despite having the same unusual last name), who had all been art school students and were inspired by the Italian painter's paintings and history.[1]

"Amedeo Modigliani had always been the band’s own version of a rock star. After all, we were all art school students. At the time I was working on the [Requiem Mass] remix I became submerged and almost obsessed in his life story. It read like a Bronte sisters novel. I wrote a short biography for the front cover of the 12 inch." —Ted Ottaviano on Modigliani, 2008.[1]

The cover of the single featured one of Modigliani's famous paintings of his mistress Jeanne Hébuterne, along with Ted's short bio: "Born in Livorno Italy on July 12, 1884, Amedeo Modigliani received little recognition for his paintings and sculpture during his lifetime. He had only a single one-man show, which instead of success brought scandal because of several nude paintings. He died of Tuberculosis at the age of 36. The day after his death, his mistress Jeanne Hébuterne, pregnant with his child, leaped from a fifth story window, killing both herself and the child. Within two years ironically, Modigliani's work began to be recognized and his reputation was soon established."[1]

The last line of the song's lyrics are in Italian: "Amedeo Amedeo, gli occhi tuoi, mi anno fatto innamorare", which roughly translates to "Amadeo Amadeo, I fell in love with you when I saw your eyes."

Artwork

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For the back sleeve of the 12-inch single, Susan Ottaviano made drawings of each member of the band in the style of Modigliani. Similar large portrait drawings of the band were later used as large stage props behind the band on their Lullaby Tour in 1989.

Reception

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The song was a dance club hit, peaking at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, becoming as popular as New Order and Depeche Mode singles in clubs at its peak.[2][1]

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The four-minute "Requiem Mass" remixed version of "Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)" was featured in an episode of Miami Vice on November 6, 1987,[3] and both the original single and "Requiem Mass" remix were used in the 1987 film Planes, Trains and Automobiles.[4]

Track listings

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1987 7-inch single

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Side A:
"Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)" – 3:53

Side B:
"Mo'dub'iani" – 5:09

1987 12-inch maxi-single

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Side A:

  1. "Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)" (I Dream of Jeanne Mix) – 7:42
  2. "Modigliani" (Requiem Mass) – 4:01

Side B:

  1. "Mo'dub'iani" – 5:09
  2. "Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)" (7-inch Re-mix) – 3:53

Personnel

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Book of Love
  • Jade Lee – keyboards, percussion
  • Susan Ottaviano – lead vocals
  • Ted Ottaviano – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Lauren Roselli – keyboards
Technical
  • Ted Ottaviano – re-mix, additional production, cover short bio on Modigliani
  • Steve Peck – engineer
  • Omar Santana – editing ("Mo'dub'iani")
  • Herb Powers – mastering
  • Ivan Ivan – producer
  • Nick Egan – design
  • Susan Ottaviano – drawings of Book of Love
  • Amedeo Modigliani – cover portrait of Jeanne Hébuterne

Charts

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Year Song Chart peak positions
US Club Play[2]
1987 "Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)" 17

Official versions

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Year Version Length Mixed/Remixed by Notes
1986 Album Version 3:59 Ivan Ivan Found on all formats of the album Book of Love.*
1987 Single Remix 3:53 Ted Ottaviano The 7-inch slightly shorter remix version edited by Ted Ottaviano. Found on the 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl singles as well as all formats of the Planes, Trains and Automobiles soundtrack, and the CD I Touch Roses: The Best of Book of Love.*
1987 I Dream of Jeanne Mix 7:42 Ted Ottaviano Found on the 12-inch vinyl single and the 1988/1990 Sire Records' CD version of Book of Love.*
1987 Requiem Mass 4:01 Ted Ottaviano A semi-instrumental version of the song without drums. Found on the 12-inch vinyl single and the 1988/1990 Sire Records' CD version of Book of Love.*
1987 Mo'dub'iani 5:09 Omar Santana Found only on the 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl singles.
1987 Razormaid Remix 4:45 Matt Hite Found only on the CD of Razormaid Records' compilation Member's Revenge 3: Alienated.
1987 Mike Carroll Remix 7:00 Mike Carroll Found only on the 2 x 12-inch promo vinyl of Hot Tracks' Series 6, Issue 5.
2009 Instrumental 4:03 Ivan Ivan Found only on the 2009 CD reissue bonus disc of Book of Love (Noble Rot).

" * " denotes that version is available as digital download

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Medsker, David (February 15, 2008). "White Label Friday: Book of Love, "Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)"". Popdose. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Billboard Music Charts - Search Results - Book of Love", Billboard, retrieved 2013-06-30
  3. ^ Tivnan, Edward (writer) & Eliasberg, Jan (director). "God's Work". Miami Vice, NBC. Episode 74, season 4. Aired on November 6, 1987.
  4. ^ Sutton, Michael, AllMusic - Book of Love Overview, AllMusic, retrieved August 1, 2008.
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