Song:I Go Crazy
Album:The Very Best Of Paul Davis
Though he's not a memorable personality, singer songwriter Paul Davis scored a few hit singles including the 1977 top ten hit I Go Crazy. His music is a mix of soft pop and country and he had success in both areas. He also had success as a producer and songwriter of other artists. He was born Apr. 21, 1948 in Meridian, MS. He led a couple of local bands until he signed with Malaco Records as a staff songwriter in 1968. Then he signed with Bang Records in 1969. After Bang owner Bert Berns died in 1967, his widow Ilene continued Bang. Davis was her first signing. She sold Bang to CBS in 1979. Davis scored a top 30 hit in 1974 with Ride 'Em Cowboy. Then I Go Crazy reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977. The story goes that Davis recorded a demo of I Go Crazy and he begged Columbia to give it to Lou Rawls. But they liked his recording and decided to release it. Rawls did record it and I Go Crazy was an R&B hit for him. Davis wrote and produced most of the songs on the 1977 album Singer of Songs-Teller of Tales in Muscle Shoals. The single Sweet Life was a top 20 hit. Davis left Bang and signed with Arista in 1981. The singles Cool Night and 65 Love Affair were both big hits. Then he moved to Nashville and didn't record much. He was writing and producing for others especially Marie Osmond and Tanya Tucker. It looks like he was a house producer for Capitol Nashville. His 1986 duet with Marie Osmond You're Still New To Me and It Won't Take Less Than Your Love with Tanya Tucker and Paul Overstreet were both number one country hits. I recommend this 2015 Varese comp as it is the only Paul Davis comp that has those two songs. Davis also wrote the Dan Seals #1 country hit Bop. It doesn't look like he did much after that. I guess he lived off his royalties and retired to his home town Meridian, MS. Paul Davis died of a heart attack on Apr. 22, 2008 at age 60. Here's Paul Davis performing I Go Crazy on The Midnight Special 1978.
One of my favorite songs growing up in the 70's. I also liked "Cool Night" a great deal. Thank-you for the Bio Frank. Sorry to hear he passed away in 2008 at age 60. To bad he could not have lived longer and enjoyed his success more. Yours David Shepard.
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