Paul Davis
It takes a special talent to be a songwriter. To be a songwriter and a singer of hit records takes a unique talent. And, Paul Davis had unique talent. Although many in the general public may not know who he is, they certainly know his songs.
He was born Paul Lavon Davis in Meridian Mississippi on April 21,1948.The son of a preacher, Paul grew up going to church and listening to gospel music. As a teenager,in the early days of Rock-n-Roll, he began playing in local bands, such as the Six Soul Survivors and The Endless Chain.
Davis’ songwriting talent earned him a job as a staff writer with Malaco Records in Jackson Mississippi. In 1970,he wrote, sang, and co-produced his first regional hit, “Revolution In My Soul,” released on White Whale Records under the group name The Reivers.
Later that year, he met Ilene Burns, the widow of Bert Burns, who was one of the great songwriters and producers of the 1960’s. Among his many hits are ”Twist And Shout” and “Hang On Sloopy.” Ilene Burns offered Davis a contract with her late husband’s label, Bang Records. His first single was a cover of the Jarmels’ 1961 hit “A Little Bit Of Soap,” which reached number 52 on the Billboard singles charts.That success led to the release of his first album,“A Little Bit Of Paul Davis.”
Over the next several years, Davis released five more albums for Bang. Among them were the self-titled “Paul Davis,” “Ride Em’ Cowboy,” and “Southern Tracks And Fantasies.”
He also had some minor hit singles like 1974’s “Ride ‘Em Cowboy.” In 1976, he released ”Thinking Of You,” and ”Superstar,” which was a tribute to Elton John, Stevie Wonder,Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell.
The following year, Paul Davis scored his career song, “ I Go Crazy,” from the Bang Records album “Singer Of Songs-Teller Of Tales.” It entered the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles charts on August 27, 1977.
It slowly climbed up the charts and peaked at number seven in March 1978.“I Go Crazy” remained on the charts for 40 weeks(nine months and one week), setting the record for the longest time in the Billboard Hot 100 singles Charts.
His follow up hit, ”Sweet Life,” reached 17 on the Billboard charts in 1978.
That same year he produced “Dancin Shoes” by Nigel Olssen, who was Elton John’s drummer from 1971-1976.
Davis recorded another self-titled album for Bang Records, his last before the label folded. It included the gospel influenced “Do Right,” which was released as a single in 1980.Davis said “’Do right’ is a real personal song about my family, my little boy and the things going on in the world today”. Paul’s church roots continued to influence him, as he wrote and recorded at least one spiritual or gospel song for each of his albums.
In 1981, Paul Davis signed with Arista Records and cut his most successful and last album,“Cool Night.”He wanted this album to be somewhat different from his earlier releases. He was searching for a new sound by using drum machines and synthesizers, because they were all the rage at the time. But, he still kept his laid back style with some of the songs.
The album produced three singles.” Cool Night”, went to number 11 on the Billboard singles charts.”65 Love Affair,” went all the way to number six, becoming his highest-ever chart record.
And, he did his third remake of a song by another artist, this time it was “Love Or Let Me Be Lonely” by Friends Of Distinction from 1969. It reached the number 40 spot on the charts, and was his last solo chart record.
Davis took some time off from recording and moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1984, where he concentrated on writing songs. He soon returned to recording, but not as a solo artist, and found success on the country charts. In 1986, he recorded a duet with Marie Osmond called “You’re Still New To Me” and it became a number one hit.
Two years later, he collaborated with Tanya Tucker and Paul Overstreet for another number one hit, “I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love.”
In 1987, he and Bobby Emmons co-wrote the smash hit for Tanya Tucker, “Love Me Like You Used To.”
He scored big again when he and his good friend Dan Seals co-wrote “Meet Me In Montana,” a number one hit for Seals and Marie Osmond.
A weird twist of fate happened to Paul Davis on July 29,1986,as he and a female companion were leaving a hotel on Music Row in Nashville.An unidentified man walked up, demanded Paul’s wallet, and shot him in the abdomen. Thankfully, he survived.
After the shooting, Davis stepped back from the spotlight and again concentrated on songwriting.In June 1991, he would have another hit with “Down To My Last Teardrop,” recorded by Tanya Tucker.
Paul’s personal life was just that -personal. He was very shy. He loved to fish, and was an avid golfer and billiard player.
He was married for a while to Pamela Gayle Jay Davis, who worked briefly with Bang Records/Web IV Music in Atlanta, where Paul was writing and recording songs. They had a son, Jonathan, who is autistic. Not long after Jonathan’s birth, Pamela left her job to dedicate the next 38 years to his care. After their marriage ended, Paul and Pamela continued to share custody of their son. She died on March 20,2017.
Paul Davis not only was a gifted songwriter, singer, and musician, he was also a dedicated family man. In the new millennium, he again began to write and record new material. Two songs he recorded were “You Ain’t Sweet Enough” and “Today,” but they were never released because he had not signed a new record deal. However, you can hear “Today” because it’s available on YouTube. Sadly, a new record deal was never made because Paul Davis died of a heart attack on April 22,2008, one day after he turned 60.
