Mark James, the songwriter behind love-struck rock and country hits like Elvis Presley's “Suspicious Minds” and Willie Nelson's “Always on My Mind,” has died. He was 83 years old.
James' death Saturday at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, was first reported in the Houston Chronicle. In a statement, James' family said “Mark's legacy and enthusiasm for life will live on in the hearts of those who loved him and through his timeless lyrics and melodies that have been the soundtrack of lovers for generations.”
James, born Francis Zambon in Houston, became an era-defining songwriter with 1968's “Suspicious Minds,” which he first released under his own name without warning. But the song, about a couple “stuck in a trap, I can't get out… / We can't stay together with suspicious minds,” became an era-defining classic in the hands of Presley, who made it. His last number one single was when he released it in 1969. The song made Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
James scored another generational classic with 1972's “Always on My Mind,” which he co-wrote with Wayne Carson and Johnny Christopher. While the song was first recorded that year by Gwen McCrae, Brenda Lee and also Presley, Willie Nelson turned it into a country hit in 1982, reaching the top five on the Hot 100 and taking home the Grammy Awards for Country Song. and song of the year. . In 1987, British electro-pop duo Pet Shop Boys turned it into their own hit single, reaching number four on the US singles chart in 1987. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. (just like “Suspicious Minds”). ” in 1999).
James' song “Hooked on a Feeling” has had an equally long and varied life in pop culture. Originally written for BJ Thomas in 1969 (who made it a top five hit), Blue Swede took it to number one in 1974 (reusing the “ooga-chacka” intro from a 1971 Jonathan King cover). . The song was most recently covered by garage rockers The Hives and has made several cameo appearances in films such as Quentin Tarantino's “Reservoir Dogs,” Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy” and the '90s television series “Ally McBeal.” .
Other notable hits written by James included Brenda Lee's “Sunday Sunrise”, which reached the top 10 in 1973, and the Blood Sweat & Tears single “Roller Coaster” that same year. James was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014.
James is survived by his wife Karen, daughters Sammie and Dana and grandchildren.
