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.
You're My Bestest Friend
Mac Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And who knows exactly where to kiss me when I hurt?
And who make love to me on satin sheets or in the dirt?
You babe, you're my bestest friend
Who takes me home when I get too drunk to dance?
And who bravely puts up with my uncles and my aunts?
And who discreetly whispers I forgot to zip your pants?
You babe, you're my bestest friend
And who comes down and bails me out when I get in a jam?
And helps me tell the police where I live and who I am?
And who pats my back when no one else could give a damn?
You babe, you're my bestest friend
And who can be as gentle as a sparrow in my hand
Meaner than a junkyard dog when she's fighting for her man?
And who's the only one I'll ever love and understand?
You babe, you're my bestest friend
Talking about you babe, you're my bestest friend
The song "You're My Best Friend" by Mac Davis is a heartfelt tribute to a significant other who has become more than just a lover but also a true friend. The lyrics speak of a partner in life who does not only love and support him, but also has his back in everything he encounters in life. In the first verse, the artist asks who picks him up when he falls and who knows how to comfort him when he is hurt. In the second verse, he mentions who takes him home when he's drunk and who tolerates his family members. Lastly, he highlights who sticks with him during difficult times and who always understands him no matter what.
The song speaks of the importance of having that one special person in life who can act both as a lover and a true friend. The lyrics portray the kind of attachment between two people who have reached a level of comfort that cannot be replicated by any other kind of relationship. The song's simple but touching words encapsulate the essence of what true friendship is in a romantic relationship. This makes the song a perfect dedication to a significant other as well as to a best friend.
Line by Line Meaning
Well who wipes me off when I get gravy on my shirt?
Who is always there for me, even in messy or embarrassing situations?
And who knows exactly where to kiss me when I hurt?
Who comforts and cares for me in times of physical or emotional pain?
And who make love to me on satin sheets or in the dirt?
Who shares intimate moments with me, no matter the circumstances or surroundings?
You babe, you're my bestest friend
You are more than just a romantic partner to me, you are also my closest confidant and support system.
Who takes me home when I get too drunk to dance?
Who takes responsibility for my well-being and safety, even when I make poor choices?
And who bravely puts up with my uncles and my aunts?
Who accepts and embraces my family members, even when they can be difficult?
And who discreetly whispers I forgot to zip your pants?
Who subtly and tactfully alerts me to mistakes or slip-ups that could cause embarrassment?
And who comes down and bails me out when I get in a jam?
Who helps me out of difficult or potentially dangerous situations?
And helps me tell the police where I live and who I am?
Who assists me with practical matters, even when they may be uncomfortable or awkward?
And who pats my back when no one else could give a damn?
Who provides emotional support and encouragement, even when others are indifferent or unsupportive?
And who can be as gentle as a sparrow in my hand?
Who displays tenderness and care in their actions and words?
Meaner than a junkyard dog when she's fighting for her man?
Who is fiercely loyal and protective, willing to stand up for their loved ones no matter what?
And who's the only one I'll ever love and understand?
Who has an unparalleled connection with me, in terms of both love and comprehension?
You babe, you're my bestest friend
You are everything to me, including my closest friend and ally.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: MAC DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wmreckentin4129
My wife is in hospice. I have always called her my bestest friend and I will lose her soon. Every word of this song is her.
@wmreckentin4129
It happened this morning. God has taken my bestest friend. I am trying to take comfort that she is no longer suffering...I have to stress the trying part.
@DaveWollenberg
@@wmreckentin4129 Stay strong, William.
@AFROxMANN
@@wmreckentin4129 I can't give you a thumbs up but stay strong and you will be reunited soon.
@teresa9419
😔❤🙏
@teresa9419
@@wmreckentin4129 I'm so sorry for your loss...
How are you doing today? 💜
@knk4ever83
RIP, Mac.. my mom and I hauled to horse shows in the late 70s early 80s... got up and drove many miles to El Paso, Texas, Holloman AFB New Mexico and Las Cruces, New Mexico.. grew up listening to this man.. thankyou Mac for the music and the memories.
@petrslivinski7481
Songwriters don't write like this no more! Mac Davis knew how to find the right words to tough our hearts and minds. Songs that stay in our minds. RIP Mac "song painter" Davis. You're missed. Thank you for your music and coming into our lives.
@robyngibson1710
Rest in peace Mac Davis. We will keep your music alive.
@jscountrygirl85_326
Loved this song ever since I was little in the early 90's! I still have it on a cassette tape I recorded off the radio in early 1992. It's too bad this song is not on Spotify anymore for some reason.