Bright Eyes

In 1972 Richard Adams wrote a novel, Watership Down, which tells the story of a small group of rabbits that are unhappy in their warren and decide to break out. The book recounts the rabbits' odyssey as they look for a new home but meet perils and temptations along the way. Although 13 publishers initially rejected the story before it was accepted by Rex Collings Ltd, the book has subsequently never been out of print, and in 1978 an English adventure drama animated film was produced based on the tale. "Bright Eyes," written by British singer and songwriter Mike Batt and sung by Art Garfunkel, was included on the soundtrack. Released as a single, it was immensely successful in the United Kingdom, staying at #1 in the British charts for six weeks in 1979, selling over one million copies, and becoming the biggest selling single of that year.

English singer-songwriter Mike Batt (The Wombles, Katie Melua) desperately wanted to write the score for the animated film, but the work went to Angela Morley (previously known as Wally Stott) and Malcolm Williamson. Mike kept submitting ideas for songs including this tune, which relates to Chief Rabbit Hazel's close shave with death. He recalled in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh that he told the producers Art Garfunkel would be ideal for "Bright Eyes," and "within a week, there he was, in my home in Surbiton, singing the song."

The song did not impress Richard Adams. Batt recalled in 1000 UK #1 Hits, "I was watching Wogan and he asked Richard Adams what he thought of the film. He said that he hated 'Bright Eyes.' He based his dislike on the assumption that it was wrong factually. He said it was about a dead rabbit - well, if he reads his own book, he'll realize that the song is sung and thought by Fiver at a time when he thinks Hazel is dead. The point is that the other rabbit thought he was dead."