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.
I Won't Take Less Than Your Love
Paul Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"For standing beside me through the hard years of my life.
"Shall I bring you diamonds, shall I buy you furs?
"Say the word and it's yours.
And his wife said: "I won't take less than your love, sweet love.
"No, I won't take less than your love.
"All the riches of the world could never be enough,
"How much do I owe you?" to the mother said the son.
"For all that you have taught me in the days that I was young.
"Shall I bring expensive blankets to cast upon your bed?
"And a pillow for to rest your weary head."
And the mother said: "I won't take less than your love, sweet love.
"No, I won't take less than your love.
"All the comforts of the world could never be enough,
"And I won't take less than your love."
"How much do I owe you?" said the man to his Lord.
"For giving me this day and every day that's gone before.
"Shall I build a temple, shall I make a sacrifice?
"Tell me Lord and I will pay the price."
And the Lord said: "I won't take less than your love, sweet love.
"No, I won't take less than your love.
"All the treasures of the world could never be enough,
"And I won't take less than your love."
"I won't take less than your love, sweet love.
"No, I won't take less than your love.
"All the treasures of the world could never be enough,
"And I won't take less than your love."
"No, I won't take less than your love."
The lyrics of Paul Davis's "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love" speak about the value of love over materialism. The song consists of three verses where a husband, a son, and a man ask their loved ones, their mother and lord, how they can repay them for their love and support throughout their lives. The husband asks his wife if he can buy her diamonds or furs, but his wife values his love more than material items. The son asks his mother if he can bring her expensive blankets and pillows, but his mother values his love more than physical comforts. The man asks his Lord what he can do to repay him, but the Lord values his love more than any sacrifice or temple. In each verse, the response is the same: "I won't take less than your love, sweet love. No, I won't take less than your love. All the riches of the world could never be enough, and I won't take less than your love."
The song's message is a reminder that love is the most valuable thing one can give to another, and it cannot be bought with material possessions or achievements. It is a call to prioritize love over anything else in life, whether it be career success or material wealth. The lyrics also emphasize the importance of gratitude and appreciation for the people who have supported and loved us through life's hardships and successes.
Line by Line Meaning
"How much do I owe you?" said the husband to his wife,
The husband inquires if he should buy his wife expensive materialistic things for standing beside him all these years.
"Shall I bring you diamonds, shall I buy you furs?
The husband offers to buy his wife diamonds or furs.
"Say the word and it's yours.
The husband is not hesitant to spend on his wife.
And his wife said: "I won't take less than your love, sweet love.
The wife puts love and companionship ahead of materialistic things.
"No, I won't take less than your love.
The wife values love over anything else.
"All the riches of the world could never be enough,
The wife implies that no amount of material possessions can replace love.
"And I won't take less than your love."
The wife reiterates that she only needs love.
"How much do I owe you?" to the mother said the son.
The son asks his mother what he can do to repay her for teaching him in his younger years.
"Shall I bring expensive blankets to cast upon your bed?
The son offers to buy expensive blankets and a pillow for his mother.
"And a pillow for to rest your weary head."
The son wants to make his mother's life comfortable.
And the mother said: "I won't take less than your love, sweet love.
The mother wants her son's love and companionship over materialistic things.
"No, I won't take less than your love.
The mother values love over anything else.
"All the comforts of the world could never be enough,
The mother implies that no amount of material possessions can replace love.
"And I won't take less than your love."
The mother reiterates that she only needs love.
"How much do I owe you?" said the man to his Lord.
The man asks the Lord what he can do to repay him for his blessings.
"Shall I build a temple, shall I make a sacrifice?
The man offers to build a temple or make a sacrifice for the Lord.
"Tell me Lord and I will pay the price."
The man is willing to pay any price for the Lord's blessings.
And the Lord said: "I won't take less than your love, sweet love.
The Lord values the man's love and devotion more than offerings or sacrifices.
"No, I won't take less than your love.
The Lord reiterates that he only needs the man's love.
"All the treasures of the world could never be enough,
The Lord implies that no amount of worldly treasures can replace love.
"And I won't take less than your love."
The Lord reiterates that he only wants the man's love and loyalty.
"I won't take less than your love, sweet love.
The song concludes on the theme that love is more valuable than any materialistic possession.
"No, I won't take less than your love.
The repetition of this line emphasizes the song's primary message.
"All the treasures of the world could never be enough,
The line reiterates the idea that love is more important than worldly possessions.
"And I won't take less than your love."
The song ends on an emphatic note that love is the most important thing in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PAUL OVERSTREET, DON SCHLITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1971tallica
Tanya never looked more beautiful than she does here, beautiful woman, beautiful voice, and a wonderful person.
@joycemcswain5279
True adorable
@maryannproffitt44
Bullshit she’s beautiful everyday damn this ageism.
@susiecunningham1566
Ain't nothing nor nothing can ever take the place of this true classic real country music have always and will always love it😊😊😊😊💖❤💖❤💖❤💖❤💖❤💖❤💖❤💖❤💖❤💖❤💖❤💖❤💖👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😊😊😊
@troythegreat7369
Susie Cunningham I can remember that one song called Delta Dawn when I was a tiny little tot. We use to sing along and knew every single word to it.😂❤️👌
@terrysmith7956
this is the one of the very best and true love songs ever seen or heard I won't take less than your love it's about love I see women now days going after the men who have wealth and never given a chance to the poor man and if they did they would find love like they never seen or had. It's not about money it's about( LOVE ) I don't know how it got so far away from love to money for the love of money is the root of all evil the Bible says .THE WORD OF GOD SAYS.....
. AND THE LORD SAID THAT HE WON'T TAKE LESS THEN YOUR LOVE SWEET LOVE GOD IS LOVE AND HE GAVE US THE LOVE
@Richard-vq7ud
Tanya is a country legend. It is hard to believe how the years fly by.
@marthaashley2211
So true
@randalgraves3398
i agree
@lazyakers
Paul Overstreet is a truly underrated songwriter