Davis graduated at 16 from Lubbock High School in Lubbock, Texas. He spent his childhood years with his sister Linda, living and working at the former College Courts, an efficiency apartment complex owned by his father, T. J. Davis, located at the intersection of College Avenue and 5th Street. Davis describes his father, who was divorced from Davis's mother, as "very religious, very strict, and very stubborn." Though Davis was physically small, he had a penchant for getting into fistfights. "In those days, it was all about football, rodeo, and fistfights. Oh, man, I got beat up so much while I was growing up in Lubbock," Davis said in a March 2, 2008, interview with the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal newspaper. "I was 5 feet, 9 inches, and weighed 125 pounds. I joined Golden Gloves, but didn't do good even in my (own) division." After he finished high school, Davis moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where his mother lived, to get out of Lubbock.
Once he was settled in Atlanta, he organized a rock and roll group called the Zots, and made two singles for OEK Records, managed and promoted by OEK owner Oscar Kilgo. Davis also worked for the Vee Jay record company (home to such R&B stars as Gene Chandler, Jerry Butler, and Dee Clark) as a regional manager, and later also served as a regional manager for Liberty Records.
Davis became famous as a songwriter and got his start as an employee of Nancy Sinatra's company, Boots Enterprises, Inc. Davis was with Boots for several years in the late 1960s. During his time there, he played on many of Sinatra's recordings, and she worked him into her stage shows. Boots Enterprises also acted as Davis's publishing company, publishing songs such as "In the Ghetto", "Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife", "Home", "It's Such a Lonely Time of Year", and "Memories", which were recorded by Elvis Presley, Nancy Sinatra, B. J. Thomas, and many others. Davis left Boots Enterprises in 1970 to sign with Columbia Records, taking all of his songs with him.
One of the songs he wrote in 1968, called "A Little Less Conversation", was recorded by Elvis Presley (and would become a posthumous success for Presley years later). Presley recorded "In the Ghetto" in sessions in Memphis. According to maverick record producer Jimmy Bowen, "Ghetto" was originally pitched to Sammy Davis, Jr. Mac, guitar in hand, played the song in a studio, with onlookers such as Rev. Jesse Jackson and other members of the black activist community. Mac Davis, the only white man in the room at the time, eventually told Bowen, "I don't know whether to thank ya, or to kill ya." Mac Davis eventually recorded the tune after Presley's version became a success, and was released in a Ronco In Concert compilation in 1975. It was later released on a campy Rhino Records Golden Throats compilation in 1991. The song became a success for Presley and he continued to record more of Davis's material, such as "Memories", "Don't Cry Daddy", and "Clean Up Your Own Backyard". Bobby Goldsboro also recorded some of Davis's songs, including "Watching Scotty Grow", which became a #1 Adult Contemporary success for Goldsboro in 1971. Other artists who recorded his material included Vikki Carr, O.C. Smith, and Kenny Rogers and The First Edition. "I Believe in Music", often considered to be Davis's signature song, was recorded by several artists (including Marian Love, B.J. Thomas, Louis Jordan, Perry Como, Helen Reddy, and Davis himself) before it finally became a success in 1972 for the group Gallery.
Later, he also became known as a country singer. During the 1970s, many of his songs "crossed over", successfully scoring on both the country and popular music charts, including "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me" (a number one Grammy-nominated success), "One Hell of a Woman" (pop no. 11), and "Stop and Smell the Roses" (a no. 9 pop hit). Also, during the 1970s, he was very active as an actor, appearing in several movies, as well as hosting a successful variety show.
Davis soon decided to pursue a career of his own in country music; he was signed to Columbia Records in 1970. After several years of enriching the repertoires of other artists, his big success came two years after signing with Columbia. He topped the Country and Pop charts with the song "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me". It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the Recording Industry Association of America in September 1972.
Some of Davis's lyrics invoked overtly sexual relationships. In the song "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me", he pleads with a woman not to become too enamored with him, because he does not want to commit to a full-time relationship. Other successful songs, such as "Naughty Girl" and "Baby Spread Your Love on Me", contained similar lyrics.
In 1974, Davis was awarded the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year award. Some of Davis's other successes include the songs "Stop and Smell the Roses" (a number one Adult Contemporary success in 1974) (pop no. 9), "One Hell of a Woman" (pop no. 11), "Rock'n'Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life)" (pop no. 15), and "Burnin' Thing" (pop no. 53). At the end of the 1970s, he moved to Casablanca Records, which was best known at the time for its successes with disco star Donna Summer and rock'n'roll band Kiss. His first success for the company in 1980 was the novelty song "It's Hard To Be Humble", a light-hearted look at how popularity and good looks could go to one's head. The song became his first Country music top 10 and a rare top 30 hit in the UK. (It was translated into Dutch as "Het is moeilijk bescheiden te blijven" and became a hit for the Dutch singer Peter Blanker in 1981). Later that year, he also had another top 10 song with "Let's Keep It That Way". In November, "Rock'n'Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life)" was played by KHJ in Los Angeles as its last song before it switched from Top 40 to Country music. He achieved other successful songs, such as "Texas In My Rear View Mirror" and "Hooked on Music", which became his biggest Country music success in 1981, going to no. 2. In 1985, he recorded his last top 10 country music success with the song "I Never Made Love (Till I Made Love With You)".
On January 19, 1985, Davis performed "God Bless the USA" at the 50th Presidential Inaugural Gala, held the day before the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan.
Davis was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000.
Baby Dont Get Hooked On Me
Mac Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and it's starting to worry me.
I ain't ready for no family ties,
nobody's gonna hurry me.
Just keep it friendly girl 'cause I don't want to leave,
Don't start clinging to me girl 'cause I can't breathe.
Baby, baby don't get hooked on me.
'Cause I'll just use you then I'll set you free.
Baby, baby don't get hooked on me.
Girl you're a hot blooded woman, child,
and it's warm where you're touching me.
But I can tell by your tremblin' smile,
you're seeing way too much in me.
Girl don't let your life get tangled up with mine,
'cause I'll just leave you, I can't take no clinging vine.
Baby, baby don't get hooked on me.
Baby, baby don't get hooked on me.
'Cause I'll just use you then I'll set you free.
Baby, baby don't get hooked on me.
In Mac Davis's song Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me, the singer is warning a woman who is showing signs of attachment to him. He is telling her that he is not ready for any family ties and that nobody is going to hurry him. He urges her to keep things friendly between them, to not start clinging to him because he needs space to breathe. The singer acknowledges the woman's physical attraction to him but tells her not to get tangled up in his life because he cannot deal with clingy partners. He acknowledges that he might use her but promises to let her go eventually.
The song portrays a man's fear of commitment and his desire to remain free. He is upfront with his intentions and warns the woman to avoid getting attached to him. The song's lyrics are straightforward and simple, and the melody is catchy and upbeat, which makes it a hit with many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl you're gettin' that look in your eyes, and it's starting to worry me.
I am concerned because you seem to be developing feelings for me and I am not looking for a serious relationship.
I ain't ready for no family ties, nobody's gonna hurry me.
I am not ready to settle down or start a family, and I don't want anyone to pressure me into doing so.
Just keep it friendly girl 'cause I don't want to leave, Don't start clinging to me girl 'cause I can't breathe.
I want to keep our interactions casual and not too serious, because I fear getting too close and not being able to handle the emotions that come with a committed relationship.
Baby, baby don't get hooked on me. Baby, baby don't get hooked on me. 'Cause I'll just use you then I'll set you free. Baby, baby don't get hooked on me.
Please be careful not to develop strong feelings for me, because I am not looking for a long-term commitment and will move on after using you for my own satisfaction.
Girl you're a hot blooded woman, child, and it's warm where you're touching me. But I can tell by your tremblin' smile, you're seeing way too much in me.
I am enjoying your physical affection, but I can sense that you are starting to read too much into our interactions and may be developing feelings for me that I cannot reciprocate.
Girl don't let your life get tangled up with mine, 'cause I'll just leave you, I can't take no clinging vine.
Please do not get too involved with me or try to tie your life to mine, because I am not capable of dealing with a clingy partner and will end things if I feel suffocated.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MAC DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markclowe
"My favorite love song" ever since I was a little kid in the early 70's. I say that somewhat jokingly because I had no idea what the words were about, but the instrumentation and the emotion are beautiful and I've always understood that!!
Most likely the first time I ever heard this was coming from our AM car radio (1969 Ford LTD) late at night after being on the road for hours, sharing a back seat with my older brother and younger sister as we traveled from one Air Force base to another. And then Dad had the LP (which I probably still have).
I remember asking my Mom once why you would leave someone if you cared about them, because I could tell that this song was somewhat sad. For much of my life, I just assumed it was about a playboy who simply wanted to have fun and then move on. It was always portrayed that way on TV. He even sang it to Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show one time!
So I've recommended this song to people over the years, because it's one of my favorites. And I've always had fun telling them about this song... "my favorite love song," because it's a joke, right? It's a beautiful song, "but the words are kind of bad" I always would say.
At 54, I only recently figured out it truly is a very sad song about a guy who doesn't think he's worth being loved, ultimately, so he bugs out before it can get too serious; an avoidance mechanism to keep from admitting, at least in his own mind, that he is unlovable. It took me decades of living and some personal experiences to fully understand that.
I still get tears in my eyes listening to this song. It's been with me most of my life.
RIP, buddy!!!
@christopherphillips8027
Lost a part of our childhood in hearing the news of Mac Davis's passing. This is one of my all time favorite songs. Remember this very well from 1972. Rest In Peace Mac. You left us with one an all time classic.
@parrishmunro8664
Absolutely he did
@bobbycravens6853
Rip Mac Davis. You will forever be missed. Thanks for the wonderful music.
@lindaacosta6150
I'm so sad that he passed away I love his voice and his songs and his handsome looks, rest in peace I will never forget you God bless his family.
@mrbigbear07
I didn't even know he was dead
@markclowe
"My favorite love song" ever since I was a little kid in the early 70's. I say that somewhat jokingly because I had no idea what the words were about, but the instrumentation and the emotion are beautiful and I've always understood that!!
Most likely the first time I ever heard this was coming from our AM car radio (1969 Ford LTD) late at night after being on the road for hours, sharing a back seat with my older brother and younger sister as we traveled from one Air Force base to another. And then Dad had the LP (which I probably still have).
I remember asking my Mom once why you would leave someone if you cared about them, because I could tell that this song was somewhat sad. For much of my life, I just assumed it was about a playboy who simply wanted to have fun and then move on. It was always portrayed that way on TV. He even sang it to Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show one time!
So I've recommended this song to people over the years, because it's one of my favorites. And I've always had fun telling them about this song... "my favorite love song," because it's a joke, right? It's a beautiful song, "but the words are kind of bad" I always would say.
At 54, I only recently figured out it truly is a very sad song about a guy who doesn't think he's worth being loved, ultimately, so he bugs out before it can get too serious; an avoidance mechanism to keep from admitting, at least in his own mind, that he is unlovable. It took me decades of living and some personal experiences to fully understand that.
I still get tears in my eyes listening to this song. It's been with me most of my life.
RIP, buddy!!!
@joniwahl7925
Love your take on this song! Upon hearing he passed away I quickly had to listen to his music. ❤️
@staycool163
Mark, you said that all very well. As I got older and really "listened" to the words and the meaning of songs, I realized there was alot of songs I didn't know the true meaning of.
Your story just took me down memory lane... Thanks for that! 😊
@emmankidder7427
Me too but I just loved him
@dmoody318
Such a beautiful story for you to share about your family and life... Thank you for sharing. I love this song too. Such a deep meaning to it. 🤔😥