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.
Darlin'
Paul Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My darlin', you're so fine
Ohh
Don't know if words can say
But darlin', I'll find a way
To let you know what you meant to me
Guess it was meant to be
Oh darlin'
I dream about you often, my pretty darlin'
(Darlin', you're so fine)
I love the way you soften my life with your love
Your precious love, uh, huh, oh
I was living like half a man
Then I couldn't love but now I can
You pick me up when I'm feeling sad
More soul than I ever had
Gonna love you every single night
'Cause I think you're too outta sight
Oh darlin'
I dream about you often, my pretty darlin'
(Darlin', you're so fine)
I love the way you soften my life with your love
Your precious love, uh, huh, huh
Woah, oh, oh, oh
Every night darlin'
Gonna love you every single night, yes I will
'Cause I think you're too doggone outta sight
Oh darlin'
I dream about you often my pretty darlin'
(Darlin', you're so fine)
I love the way you soften my life with your love
Your precious love, uh, huh, huh, oh
The song "Darlin'" by Paul Davis is a love ballad that expresses the depth of the singer's affection for his significant other. The song begins with the singer expressing his admiration for his beloved's beauty as he describes her as "fine" and acknowledges that words may not be able to fully express his feelings. The singer then declares his intention to find a way to communicate the importance of his significant other in his life. He reflects on the idea that their union was meant to be and that his significant other holds a special place in his heart.
The second verse continues to emphasize the depth of the singer's love as he describes how he was previously "living like half a man” but his significant other has helped him feel complete. He expresses gratitude for how she picks him up when he's down and how her love has given him more soul than he ever had before. The chorus is repeated again with a more impassioned delivery as the singer declares his love and devotion every single night. The song ends with him repeating the chorus about how he dreams about his beloved often and how much he loves the way she has softened his life with her love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Darlin'" describe a deep, heartfelt love that is reciprocated by the singer's significant other. The song uses simple language to express a powerful emotion, making it relatable to many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Ohh darlin'
Addressing the person he loves.
My darlin', you're so fine
Complimenting the person he loves.
Don't know if words can say
Expressing uncertainty about his ability to convey his feelings fully.
But darlin', I'll find a way
Committing to finding a way to express his feelings.
To let you know what you meant to me
Describing his desire to express how much the person means to him.
Guess it was meant to be
Suggesting that their relationship is fated.
I hold you in my heart as life's most precious part
Describing how much the person means to him.
Oh darlin'
Addressing the person he loves.
I dream about you often, my pretty darlin'
Describing how much he thinks about the person.
(Darlin', you're so fine)
Complimenting the person he loves.
I love the way you soften my life with your love
Describing how the person improves his life.
Your precious love, uh, huh, oh
Continuing to describe how the person's love is important to him.
I was living like half a man
Describing how he felt before he met the person.
Then I couldn't love but now I can
Describing how the person has opened him up emotionally.
You pick me up when I'm feeling sad
Describing how the person supports him when he's down.
More soul than I ever had
Describing how the person has improved his life in a meaningful way.
Gonna love you every single night
Committing to showing his love every day.
'Cause I think you're too outta sight
Using a colloquialism to express how much he admires and loves the person.
Woah, oh, oh, oh
An expression of emotion.
Every night darlin'
Repeating his commitment to showing love every day.
Gonna love you every single night, yes I will
Reiterating his commitment to love every day.
'Cause I think you're too doggone outta sight
Repeating his admiration for the person he loves.
Oh darlin'
Addressing the person he loves.
I dream about you often my pretty darlin'
Repeating how often he thinks about the person.
(Darlin', you're so fine)
Repeating his admiration for the person he loves.
I love the way you soften my life with your love
Repeating how the person has improved his life.
Your precious love, uh, huh, huh, oh
Repeating how important the person's love is to him.
Contributed by Anna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.