Davis was a member of a local group called the "Six Soul Survivors" around 1966 and later in another group called the "Endless Chain." In 1968 he was a writer for Malaco Records, based at Jackson, MS.
Ilene Berns, widow of Bert Berns, signed Davis to Bang Records in 1969, and in 1970, released a cover of The Jarmels' hit song "A Little Bit of Soap", reaching #52 on the Billboard pop charts. His first album, A Little Bit of Paul Davis, was released in 1970. In 1974 he recorded his third album, Ride 'Em Cowboy, which garnered a Top 40 for the title track. The same song also became a Top-40 country hit for Juice Newton in 1984.
Davis had his first American Top 10 single with the slow ballad "I Go Crazy," which peaked at #7 in 1978. "I Go Crazy" spent 40 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, which at the time set the single-song record for most consecutive weeks on the chart in the rock era. The follow-up, "Sweet Life", did moderately well, peaking at #17. The corresponding album Singer of Songs - Teller of Tales was a modest success, peaking at #82 on the Billboard pop album chart. He was the last artist active on the Bang Records label when it folded in 1981.
After one more album, in 1981 he signed with Arista Records and had two more Top 20 singles, "Cool Night" (which rose to #11) and "'65 Love Affair" (which rose to #6). Davis retired from making records, except for two duet singles that went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts. The first was in 1986 with Marie Osmond on "You're Still New To Me" while the second was in 1988 was a collaboration with Tanya Tucker and Paul Overstreet on "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love". Davis also wrote "Meet Me in Montana", which Dan Seals and Osmond took to #1 on the Billboard country charts inn 1985.
He survived a shooting in Nashville on July 30, 1986.
Before his death on April 22, 2008 (one day after his 60th birthday), Paul returned to singing and songwriting recording two songs, "You Ain't Sweet Enough," and "Today." He died of a heart attack at Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian, Mississippi.
A Little Bit of Soap
Paul Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will wash away your lipstick on my face
But a little bit of soap
Will never never never ever erase
The pain in my heart, and my eyes
As I go through the lonely years
A little bit of soap
Will never wash away my tears
Mmm, a little bit of soap
Will wash away your powder from my chin
A little bit of soap
Will never never never ever begin
To take away the hurt that I feel
As I go through the lonely years
A little bit of soap
Will never wash away my tears,
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Now have you heard when love begins to die
It leaves someone to cry night and Day?
Just like a bird, you left your robin's nest
And just like all the rest, you flew away
Mmm, a little bit of soap
Will take away your perfume eventually
But a little bit of soap
Will never take away the memory
Of your name in the night
As I go through the lonely years
A little bit of soap
Will never wash away my tears
I'll never lose the memory
Of your name in the night
That I call through the lonely years
A little bit of soap
Will never wash away my tears
Mmm, a little bit of soap
Will never wash away my tears
FADE
Mmm, it's gonna never, never, never,
Uh-huh, wash away my tears
In Paul Davis's song A Little Bit of Soap, the lyrics tell a heartbreaking story of the pain caused by lost love. The repeated phrase "a little bit of soap" is used to represent something that can physically be washed away, but not the emotional pain and hurt that remains. The song explains that even though the physical reminders of a lost love such as lipstick on the face, powder on the chin, and perfume on clothing can eventually be washed away with soap, the memories and emotions that linger long after cannot be erased.
In the second verse, the lyrics reflect on how love that begins to die can leave someone crying day and night, using the metaphor of a bird leaving its nesting spot. The final verse conveys the message that memories of a lost love can never truly be washed away, even if the physical reminders can be.
Overall, A Little Bit of Soap is a poignant and relatable song about the pain of lost love and the struggle to move on emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
A little bit of soap
A small portion of soap
Will wash away your lipstick on my face
Can remove your lipstick from my face
But a little bit of soap
However, just a little soap
Will never never never ever erase
Can never completely remove
The pain in my heart, and my eyes
The emotional pain I feel in my heart and eyes
As I go through the lonely years
As I endure my lonely life
Will never wash away my tears
Can never wipe away my tears
Mmm, a little bit of soap
Oh, just a bit of soap
Will wash away your powder from my chin
Can remove the powder from my chin
Will never never never ever begin
Can never start to remove completely
To take away the hurt that I feel
To alleviate my emotional pain
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Now have you heard when love begins to die
Have you heard that when love fades away
It leaves someone to cry night and Day?
It leaves someone to cry day and night?
Just like a bird, you left your robin's nest
Just like a bird that abandons its nest
And just like all the rest, you flew away
And like everyone else, you left
Will take away your perfume eventually
Can eventually remove your fragrance
But a little bit of soap
But just some soap
Will never take away the memory
Can never erase the memory
Of your name in the night
Of your name in the night
I'll never lose the memory
I will never forget
That I call through the lonely years
That I call during the lonely years
It's gonna never, never, never, Uh-huh, wash away my tears
Will never ever remove my tears
Contributed by Jonathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
rslitman
This was the 1st Paul Davis song I ever heard. It was released on Bang Records. Bang founder Bert Berns wrote the song, which was originally a hit by the Jarmels on Laurie Records. At least 2 other Bang acts, the Exciters and Nigel Olsson, also recorded this. I think that Bang was trying to get Paul's records to sound like those of another singer that had recently left the label, Neil Diamond, but Paul did a lot better after he developed his own sound.
Steve Silva
Rest in Peace, Paul. We will miss you. :-( Paul Davis (1948-2008)
wayne252525
This is a great song, and nearly all the versions I have heard of it sound good ... but this has got to be close to the best one ... Very smooth and very cool ! ... Wayne
Wendy S
There are many versions of this song but in my opinion, this is the best.
mowm88
I remember hearing this on the radio when I was in Jr. High. He was a good singer.
califdad4
always liked this song, was in High School when it came out, and never really knew who sang it till recently . Paul sure had a nice voice!
Mike Boyer
I agree about this being quite different than the original, but I remember when this version came out. I think he does a flawless, seamless job with this song. The arrangement is also well done. Thnaks for posting a memory.
Don Jackson
Everything by Paul Davis is good, better and best! Would love to find "Editorial" from Singer of Songs, Teller of Tales. Thanks for posting this.
jajvick
paul davis=incredible talent....his music will live forever
Jimmy Gilstrap
I have always loved this song..