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.
Superstar
Paul Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While Elton makes the music and the melody
Philadelphia Freedom
Always sounds so good to me
Stevie, you're a wonder
When you're singin' that perfect harmony (yeah, sweet harmony)
It's hard to believe
All the love that blind man made me see, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
Superstar
I want to thank you for what you are, oh whoa
Only six ninety-eight
Lord, you sound so great
And I just can't wait
To hear you singin' (come on, come on)
Come on and sing it, woah-oh-oh
Heart Like a Wheel
Always made me feel any way I want to be
Linda, you're a winner
Oh, girl, you're lookin' thinner than you used to be
Joni Mitchell, you
Always pull me through when I get down and blue
Music is your callin'
Help, I think I'm fallin' in love with you, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
Superstar
I want to thank you for what you are, whoa-whoa
Only six ninety-eight
Lord, you sound so great
And I just can't wait
To hear you singin' (come on, come on)
Come on and sing it, whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
Sing it (come on, come on)
Come on and sing it, whoa-oh-oh
Sing it (come on, come on)
Come on and sing it, whoa-oh-oh-whoa-oh
Sing another song and make me happy
Come on and sing it (happy)
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
Sing another song and make me happy
Come on and sing it (happy)
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
Sing another song and make me happy
Come on and sing it (happy)
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
Sing another song and make me happy
Come on and sing it (happy)
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
The song "Superstar" by Paul Davis is a tribute to some of the biggest names in the music industry. Davis sings about the songwriters and musicians who have made an impact on his life through their music. The lyrics of the song suggest that even though Davis has never met these people, they have had a profound effect on him through their art. The opening lines mention Bernie as the writer who provides the words while Elton John creates the melody, and then goes on to name-check various musicians like Stevie Wonder, Linda Ronstadt, and Joni Mitchell, among others.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Superstar, I want to thank you for what you are," and expresses Davis’s gratitude and admiration for these artists. Davis also mentions the price of a record, "Only six ninety-eight," suggesting that the music of these artists is accessible and affordable to all. The song closes with Davis asking the musicians to "Sing another song and make me happy" and encourages them to keep creating their art for the world to enjoy.
Overall, the lyrics of "Superstar" are a heartfelt tribute to the transformative power of music and the people who create it. It is a reminder that music can connect people across time and distance and have a profound impact on people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Bernie writes the words
Bernie Taupin is responsible for writing the lyrics of Elton John's songs.
While Elton makes the music and the melody
Elton John is responsible for composing and creating the melody for his songs.
Philadelphia Freedom
The song 'Philadelphia Freedom' by Elton John sounds really good to me.
Always sounds so good to me
I always enjoy listening to the song 'Philadelphia Freedom' by Elton John.
Stevie, you're a wonder
Stevie Wonder is an incredibly talented musician and singer.
When you're singin' that perfect harmony (yeah, sweet harmony)
Stevie Wonder's ability to sing in perfect harmony is truly amazing.
It's hard to believe
I find it difficult to believe.
All the love that blind man made me see, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
Despite being blind, Stevie Wonder has the ability to create music that has helped me see love in a new way.
Superstar
This is a song about music superstars that have had an impact on the singer.
I want to thank you for what you are, oh whoa
The singer wants to express gratitude to the music superstars for the impact they have had on him/her.
Only six ninety-eight
The price of the superstar's music is only $6.98 (or a reasonable amount).
Lord, you sound so great
The singer is in awe of how great the superstar's music sounds.
And I just can't wait
The singer is very excited and looking forward to an upcoming event (possibly a concert).
To hear you singin' (come on, come on)
The singer is eagerly waiting to hear the superstar's performance.
Heart Like a Wheel
This is a reference to the song 'Heart Like a Wheel' by Linda Ronstadt.
Always made me feel any way I want to be
The song 'Heart Like a Wheel' by Linda Ronstadt has the power to make the singer feel any way he/she wants to feel.
Linda, you're a winner
Linda Ronstadt is a very talented and successful musician.
Oh, girl, you're lookin' thinner than you used to be
The singer notices that Linda Ronstadt has lost weight since the last time he/she saw her.
Joni Mitchell, you
This is a reference to the musician Joni Mitchell.
Always pull me through when I get down and blue
Joni Mitchell's music has the power to lift the singer's mood when he/she is feeling down or sad.
Music is your callin'
Joni Mitchell was destined to be a musician and this is what she was meant to do.
Help, I think I'm fallin' in love with you, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
The singer has a deep admiration for Joni Mitchell and is almost in love with her.
Sing another song and make me happy
The singer wants the superstar to sing another song to continue bringing happiness and joy to him/her.
Come on and sing it (happy)
The singer is encouraging the superstar to keep singing and making the audience happy.
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
This is a repetitious phrase that emphasizes the singer's desire for more music from the superstar.
Contributed by Alexander A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
RecordWarped
I love Paul Davis in all his various incarnations. So sad he's no longer with us. Thanks for the reminder of his talent.
Gregory Canfield
This is one of the few popular songs about music itself. There was also Drift Away by Dobie Gray and Rock n Roll Heaven by the Righteous Bros. Too bad nobody new who Paul Davis was until I Go Crazy. He was one of the greatest.
Keith Carlisle
This song is a departure from his beautiful ballads. I like it though. Paul Davis OWNED the 70s and he touched my soul with his music.
Gregory Canfield
Here we have a great singer paying tribute to other great singers. Elton, Stevie, Linda and Joni would have had as much reason to pay tribute to Paul Davis.
Geoffrey Sonnen
I remember rushing out to get that 45 after hearing this the first time! What an incredible songwriter Paul was! I just listened to this 2 times and remembered how young and hopeful I was back then! This guy is one of my heroes. I just wish I would have had a chance to meet him! His heart was right there in his music and lyrics.
Leslie 'hanalala' Wilson
I was blessed to be on the tour he did on the west coast in summer of 1978 - he opened for Crystal Gayle (they also did a duet on The Midnight Special during that tour). My husband was his lighting director at that time, and we had a 1-month old infant and & just moved from Ohio to Tucson the day the tour opened (in Tucson, what a coincidence, eh?), and that very day they asked him to come along. I didn't know anybody in Tucson and was a brand-new mother, so they kindly offered our baby and myself room on the tour bus (Some local Ohio friends were also in his band, that tour). Paul was a very kind, very soft-spoken man. I felt very at ease around him. Just a down-to-earth kinda guy, as you would suspect. RIP, Paul - we all love you so much.
Geoffrey Sonnen
Oh, that is just such a nice story! Appreciating your sharing that with me! Yes, everything I've ever read or heard about Paul was always about how genuine he was! You were very blessed to be a part of that tour!
Thomas Woodman
he brought up so many great recording artists
Lisa Colorado
Thank you so much for sharing this, Pilot of the Airwaves. This was my request. If you were in high school, and you had a clock radio to wake you up, and this song was on when it woke you, the whole morning would be like in heaven.
Luis Adell
Wow.!!!! I’m 54 yrs and i come to hear this beautiful Masterpiece two weeks ago for the first time i never heard on the Radio back in the 70’s living in the Bronx NY