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.
Cry Just A Little
Paul Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Does your heart ever long for those days when love was true
Seems like that magic of yesterday has just slipped away
So my darlin', before you go
Oh, I hope you know
I'm gonna cry just a little, I'll die just a little
Cause I still love you and I'll always love you
Cause I still love you and I'll always love you
I still remember when
We used to laugh at the silly things that we used to say
Now the song that I sing to you just turns you away
I never knew lovers could turn into strangers over night
How could I be so blind to the danger
Oh, it's just not right
I'm gonna cry just a little, die just a little
Cause I still love you and I'll always love you
Cry just a little, I'll die just a little
Cause I still love you and I'll always love you
I still remember when
I'm gonna have to cry just a little, or die just a little
Cause I still love you and I'll always love you
Cry just a little, I'll die just a little
Cause I still love you and I'll always love you
Cry just a little, or die just a little
Yes I'll always love you, I'll always love you
Cry just a little, die just a little
I'll always love you
Cry just a little, die just a little
In "Cry Just A Little," the singer looks back on his past relationship and expresses his desire to regain the love and connection he once had with his partner. The lyrics speak to the universal experience of love lost and the longing to reclaim it. The opening lines ask if dreams ever take the person back to the time when love was new and true, suggesting that the singer is struggling to let go of the past. The song sets a wistful tone, expressing the pain of realizing that the magic of the relationship has slipped away. The singer acknowledges that he still loves the other person and will always love them, but they are no longer the same as they were before. The chorus repeats the phrase "Cry just a little, die just a little" to emphasize the heartbreak of losing a love that was once strong and true.
The lyrics are straightforward and relatable, touching on the themes of love and loss that are common in popular music. The song's melody is slow and mournful, highlighting the sadness of the lyrics. The singer's regret and longing are palpable and evoke strong emotions from the listener. "Cry Just A Little" is a poignant reflection on lost love and the pain of moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
Do your dreams ever take you back when love was new
Do you ever have dreams that bring you back to the beginning of your relationship, when love was new?
Does your heart ever long for those days when love was true
Do you ever miss the early days of your relationship when love felt real and true?
Seems like that magic of yesterday has just slipped away
It feels like the magic that existed in your relationship before has disappeared and been lost.
So my darlin', before you go
Before you leave, my beloved,
Oh, I hope you know
I want you to understand
I'm gonna cry just a little, I'll die just a little
I'm going to shed a few tears and it will feel like a small part of me is dying,
Cause I still love you and I'll always love you
Because despite everything, I still love you and always will.
We used to laugh at the silly things that we used to say
We used to find joy in the simple things and laugh together about them.
Now the song that I sing to you just turns you away
But now, even the song I sing to you can't reignite those old feelings and instead, it pushes you further away from me.
I never knew lovers could turn into strangers over night
I didn't know that two people who were once so close could become complete strangers to each other in such a short amount of time.
How could I be so blind to the danger
How could I have not seen the danger signs that led us to this point?
Oh, it's just not right
It's just not fair.
I'm gonna have to cry just a little, or die just a little
I know I will have to cry and it will feel like a small part of me is dying,
Yes I'll always love you, I'll always love you
But despite it all, I will always love you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind