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.
Cool Night
Paul Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the flowers have to die
I dream about you
And now, summer's come and gone
And the nights they seem so long
Come on over tonight
Come on over
Just let me hold you by the firelight
If it don't feel right, you can go
Oh, when the cool night brings back memories
Of a good life, when this love was not so old
Oh, I won't talk about the past
How love's supposed to last forever
And you don't have to take a stand
Lay out any plans
Come on over tonight
Come on over
It's gonna be a cool night
Just let me hold you by the firelight
If it don't feel right, you can go
Oh, when the cool night brings back memories
Of a good life, when this love was not so old
Come on over tonight
Come on over
It's gonna be a cool night
Just let me hold you by the firelight
If it don't feel right you can go
On a cool night, let me hold you
On a cool night, just let me hold you by the firelight
If it don't feel right, you can go
On a cool night, let me hold you
On a cool night, just let me hold you by the firelight
If it don't feel right, you can go
On a cool night, let me hold you
On a cool night, just let me hold you by the firelight
If it don't feel right, you can go
The lyrics of Paul Davis’s song Cool Night express feelings of longing and nostalgia, while also providing a sense of comfort and reassurance. The opening lines express a sense of bewilderment towards the transience of life, as the singer ponders why all flowers must die. This sentiment is a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of love and relationships, which are likewise subject to the passage of time. The chorus of the song speaks to the idea of seeking solace in the present moment, despite the inevitable impermanence of life. The singer implores his love interest to join him on a cool night, wherein the firelight is a symbol for warmth and comfort amidst the infinite darkness that surrounds us.
Throughout the song, there is an overarching sense of optimism and hopefulness. The singer acknowledges that love is not meant to last forever, but there is a sense of joy and fulfillment to be found in the present moment. This message can serve as a reminder to cherish our relationships while they last, even if we know they will eventually come to an end. By doing so, we can find peace in the knowledge that we have loved and been loved, even if we cannot hold onto that love indefinitely.
Line by Line Meaning
I sometimes wonder why
I occasionally think about things that puzzle me.
All the flowers have to die
Why does beauty always have to come to an end?
I dream about you
You are frequently on my mind.
And now, Summer's come and gone
The season has changed, and time has passed.
And the nights they seem so long
The nights feel lonely and very slow.
Come on over tonight
Can you visit me later?
Come on over
I want you to come to me.
It's gonna be a cool night
The night will be chilly but pleasant.
Just let me hold you by the firelight
Let me embrace you in the warm glow of the fire.
If it don't feel right you can go
If this doesn't feel good, you don't need to stay.
Oh, when the cool night brings back memories
The chilly evening triggers old recollections.
Of a good life when this love was not so old
It brings to mind the good times when our love was still fresh.
Oh, I won't talk about the past
I won't reminisce about the things that have already happened.
How love's supposed to last forever
Some people say that love is meant to be everlasting.
And you, don't have to take a stand
You don't have to have an opinion on this matter.
Lay out any plans
You don't have to make any decisions.
Come on over tonight
Can you visit me later?
Come on over
I want you to come to me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@magnificentmuttley154
🎯 Perfectly expressed. 70s & 80s radio (& our childhoods) wouldnt have been the same without this man 🥲
Rest In Peace:
Paul Davis 1948-2008
Judy Garland 1922-1969
Rosetta Tharpe 1918-1973
Annunzio Mantovani 1905-1980
Marvin Gaye 1938-1984
David Rose 1910-1990
Floyd Cramer 1933-1997
Dave Grusen 1934-
Syd Lawrence 1923-1998
Tony Bennett 1926-
Andy Williams 1927-2012
Etta James 1938-2012
Fontella Bass 1940-2012
Minnie Thomas 1955-2015
@andyokus5735
I was friends with Paul Davis in Atlanta in 1981. He came into my little guitar shop in Roswell with his producer. We hit it off and saw each other often. He was just a real simple soft spoken country boy. He encouraged my songwriting which I appreciated because I'm not a singer. I have great memories of my life in Atlanta in the early 80's playing with some wonderful musicians and just having a really nice life. RIP Paul.
@bobbyferguson2852
That is sooo awesome 👏 🥰
@Phantasm2Cuda
Friends with a guy for one year? Ok 👌
@karlwalter2242
Awesome ✔💯
@deborahr3732
He died? RIP This was my first 45 ♥️💕
@nancykane8680
So awesome 👌
@65neu20
Times will never be this slow and sincere again. Humanity is such a fragile beautiful thing, yet it’s the thing we care least about.
@millicentpillay8350
My daughter recently turned 18. I heard her play this song one day and I just fell in love with it. She is an old soul with young eyes and a vintage heart, my daughter that is.
@frankevega
That's beautiful.
@iwillcommitteatchild
That's awesome! I am 44 and love this music despite being more of a metalhead. My 2 kids in their 20s also listen to this kind of music, love it!