Don't Change On Me

Album: Genius & Soul: 50th Anniversary Collection (1971)
Charted: 36
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written by Jimmy Holiday and Eddie Reeves for the ABC-Tangerine label, although Reeves at the time was still working for United Artists Music. It was Reeves' first success as a songwriter. "Don't Change On Me" ended up on Charles' album Love Country Style.
  • Eddie Reeves wrote the melody and the lyrics for the chorus, then had Jimmy Holiday have a go at writing the verses. Disappointed with the first result, he handed it back to Holiday again, telling him this time to think of church. Eddie Reeves told us: "A radio promotion man who worked for Ray's company called to tell me there was a possibility that our song could be released as Ray's next single but that the decision would be heavily influenced by what this promotion man reported to Ray. The promotion man then hinted that I should consider doing something 'nice' for him to increase the chance of our song being selected as the next single. I asked what he meant and he told me that recently someone had bought him a pair of alligator shoes, and that it would be good if I bought him another pair. He told me the store where I could buy them, his size, and how much they cost. I couldn't believe it. It was Hollyweird. I ignored his request and it had no effect on our song 'Don't Change On Me' being released as Ray's next single." (Check out Eddie Reeves' story.)
  • Alan Jackson recorded this song on his album Like Red on a Rose, released in 2006.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."