"Do Right" by Paul Davis

Song#:  0085
Date:  03/08/1980
Debut:  76
Peak:  23
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Christian



Pop Bits:  Davis' music was initially closer to country crossover than pop and he had a few singles hit the lower range of the chart, but he refined it to a smoother AC sound in 1977 and got his first Top 10 hit with "I Go Crazy." Three years later his follow-up album featured this lead-off single. It is a bit of an oddity because very few obvious Christian-themed songs are able to really do well on the pop chart and this one made it to #23. He would have a few more pop hits before turning back to country in the mid-80's. Unfortunately, Davis suffered a heart attack and died in 2008. (Note: continuing the death-watch, this will be the third artist in the past four posts that have passed away - and their songs all debuted on the same 3/8/80 chart.)

ReduxReview:  Although not religious myself, there are lots of overt Christian songs and artists that I really enjoy (and I don't mean Amy Grant doing "Baby Baby"...). If you have never heard Rich Mullens, look up his "Songs" album and check him out. Terrific music. So the lyrics of this song don't bother me at all. But I can't say I'm a fan of the song in general. It is pretty good, smooth, AC pop but it may be a little too sleek. It just seems like this song should be more exciting and inspiring than it is. Plus, I'm on the fence about the cheesy synths. Don't get me wrong - I love some cheeze whiz keyboards - but just not sure it worked here.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Davis' "I Go Crazy" set a record during its chart run. At the time it became the longest running chart single in history by staying on the chart for 40 weeks.

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