Introduction to Paul Davis

Paul Davis may not be a household name to casual music fans, but his songs have quietly endured for decades. Blending soft rock, country, and pop, Davis carved out a niche with heartfelt lyrics, smooth vocals, and genre-crossing charm.

Best known for hits like “I Go Crazy” and “’65 Love Affair,” Davis also enjoyed success as a songwriter and collaborator in both pop and country circles. His music defied easy categorization—and that’s exactly what made his work so memorable.

Paul Davis – Artist Profile
Full Name	Paul Lavon Davis
Born	April 21, 1948 – Meridian, Mississippi
Died	April 22, 2008 – Meridian, Mississippi
Genres	Soft rock, Pop, Country
Instruments	Vocals, Keyboards, Piano
Labels	Bang Records, Arista Records
Major Hits	“I Go Crazy,” “‘65 Love Affair,” “Cool Night,” “Ride ‘Em Cowboy”
Collaborations	Marie Osmond, Tanya Tucker, Paul Overstreet
Posthumous Release	The Best of Paul Davis (2011)

Early Life and Beginnings in Music

Paul Lavon Davis was born in Meridian, Mississippi on April 21, 1948. He grew up in a musical environment and showed early promise as a singer, songwriter, and keyboardist. By the age of 12, Davis reportedly had a country single, “One of Her Fools,” that gained modest attention.

In the 1960s, he played with several local bands including the Six Soul Survivors, The Endless Chain, and a country-rock outfit called The Reivers. In 1970, The Reivers recorded “Revolution in My Soul,” one of Davis’s early original songs, marking his slow but steady shift toward solo success.

Early Career at Bang Records

Davis’s big break came when Ilene Berns, the widow of songwriter and Bang Records founder Bert Berns, heard him perform and offered him a solo deal in 1969. His first single on Bang was a cover of “A Little Bit of Soap” by The Jarmels, a minor hit that reached #52 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.

He followed it with his debut album A Little Bit of Paul Davis, but it failed to make much impact. His second, self-titled album in 1972 fared similarly.

However, in 1974, Davis released Ride ‘Em Cowboy, which became a breakthrough moment. The title track reached:

• #23 on the Billboard Hot 100

• #4 on the Adult Contemporary chart

• #19 on the Country Albums chart

This was Davis’s first Top 40 pop hit and the beginning of his long-lasting success in adult contemporary music.

Building Momentum: Mid-1970s to Late 1970s

In 1976, Davis released Southern Tracks and Fantasies, producing another Top 40 pop single, “Superstar” (#35).

His fifth album, Singer of Songs: Teller of Tales (1977), changed everything. It featured his signature hit “I Go Crazy,” a soulful soft rock ballad that captured audiences across the country. The song:

• Peaked at #7 on the Hot 100

• Reached #25 on the AC chart

• Stayed on the Hot 100 for an incredible 40 weeks, a record at the time

Davis followed it up with “Sweet Life,” another successful single that peaked at #17 pop and #7 adult contemporary. These hits helped establish Davis as a consistent and respected voice in the growing adult contemporary format.

Move to Arista Records: Polished Pop Success

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by All Things Music Plus+ (@allthings_music_plus)

When Bang Records folded in the early 1980s, Davis signed with Arista Records. This marked a transition to a slicker, more polished pop sound. His 1981 album Cool Night became his most commercially successful release.

Cool Night produced three Top 40 hits:

• “Cool Night” – #11 pop, #2 adult contemporary

• “‘65 Love Affair” – #6 pop, #5 adult contemporary (one of his most recognizable songs)

• “Love or Let Me Be Lonely” – #40 pop, #11 adult contemporary (a cover of The Friends of Distinction hit)

The album climbed to #52 on the Billboard 200, giving Davis his highest-charting LP and confirming his status as a pop radio mainstay in the early ’80s.

Later Years: Return to Country and Songwriting

After the success of Cool Night, Davis gradually shifted back to his country roots. He stepped away from recording solo albums but remained active in the music industry.

Key Duets:

• “You’re Still New to Me” with Marie Osmond – #1 Country (1986)

• “I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love” with Tanya Tucker and Paul Overstreet – #1 Country (1987)

• “Down to My Last Teardrop” with Tanya Tucker – #2 Country (1991)

Davis also collaborated with country artists as a songwriter and producer, penning tracks for Dan Seals, Lee Greenwood, and others. His ability to shift between pop and country genres made him a versatile and respected figure in Nashville and beyond.

Final Work and Untimely Death

In 2008, Davis had begun working on new material. He had recorded two new songs, “You Ain’t Sweet Enough” and “Today,” signaling a potential comeback. Sadly, on April 22, 2008, just one day after his 60th birthday, he suffered a fatal heart attack in his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi.

His passing marked the end of a career that had quietly influenced both pop and country music.

Legacy and Posthumous Recognition

Though never a household name, Paul Davis left a lasting impression. His songs, particularly “I Go Crazy” and “‘65 Love Affair,” continue to receive airplay and appear on soft rock and ’80s pop compilations.

In 2011, a compilation titled The Best of Paul Davis was released posthumously, introducing his music to a new generation.

Selected Discography