Album: Cool Night (1982)

Charted: 6

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Songfacts®:

• This is a nostalgic look back at a high school romance which went nowhere, but at the time was light and fun, without the weight of grown-up responsibilities. This was the most successful song for Davis, who died of a heart attack in 2008.
• In spite of this song's popularity, Davis himself disliked the song, regarding it as bubblegum and a sell-out. In fact, it was one of the reasons that he retired from performing in the mid-1980s. >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Mike - Santa Barbara, CA, for above 2
• Any show business veteran knows that besides talent, the two most important qualities needed for success are hard work and perseverance. Take the case of Paul Davis. The Southern singer-songwriter began his recording career at the dawn of the 1970s, and spent half the decade searching for a winning musical identity. At first, he was a socially conscious folk singer; next he became an Eagle-styled country rocker. Finally, Davis began to blend his folk and country sides together into a contemporary pop sound, and this approach proved the charm - he began scoring regular hits, including this one. >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Rob - Rothesay, NB, Canada
• Davis wrote this as "'55 Love Affair," but like US speed limits, 55 got bumped for 65. His record company wanted the song to appeal to a younger audience and had Davis change the title. The lyrics, however, remained squarely in the '50s, with references to drive-ins, car hops and doo-wop.

Comments: 8

• AnonymousThis song is KILLER. Very under-rated. Maybe because it defies category. I love the slap-back lead vocal recording style
• Mike Van Zandt from ArkansasIs it just me or do the background vocals sound like Huey Lewis & The News? It was a trivia question back in '82 and since then I've not found anything anywhere about whom the bg vocals were. But if I had to bet money, I'd say The News. Maybe if you had the original album it would be more known who those guys were.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 21st 1982, "'65 Love Affair" by Paul Davis entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #82; and twelve weeks later on May 16th, 1982 it peaked at #6 {for 2 weeks} and spent 20 weeks on the Top 100...
  It reached #5 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
  Between 1970 and 1982 he had fifteen Top 100 records; with two making the Top 10, his other Top 10 record was "I Go Crazy", it peaked at #7 in 1978 and spent an amazing 40 weeks on the Top 100...
  On Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart he reached #1 twice and both were duets; "You're Still New to Me" with Marie Osmond in 1986 and "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love" with Tanya Tucker in 1988...
  Sadly, Paul Davis passed away on April 22nd, 2008; the day after his 60th birthday...
  May he R.I.P.
• Karen from Manchester, NhJennifer Harris, what probably broke them up was graduation...and life in general.
• Paul from Detroit, MiI loved this song along with all of Paul's Davis' earlier stuff. Sad that he felt the song was a sell out. Nothing wrong with doing an upbeat pop song.
  I agree that the song's lyrics sounded more like a '55 love affair than a '65, but they still fit, okay.
• Howard from St. Louis Park, MnThis was one of my favorite songs of the early 80s. It had a bouncy, country-rock beat.
• Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiI love this song! What broke the lovers Up?
• Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesOh, there were still car hops, doo-wop and drive-ins in 1965. I remember them very well.

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