This week's “Remake of a Classic” was first released in July 1972 on Mac Davis' Columbia Records album, Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me. The song reached No.1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts. It spent three weeks atop each chart, and was ranked the No. 8 song of 1972. At the same time, the song was a modest country hit, reaching No. 26. Davis wrote the tune after Columbia insisted he write a tune with some sort of “hook”.

I find Columbia's demand rather interesting. It's not like Davis was an unknown in the music world. After all, he DID write Elvis' “In the Ghetto”, “Memories”, “Daddy Don't Cry” and “A Little Less Conversation”. And of course he had also written the 1970 hit, “I Believe in Music” (if that tune doesn't contain a “hook”, then I don't know what does). Truth be told, Davis was sort of a Renaissance Man. He was a songwriter, instrumentalist, vocalist, and he starred in dozens of movies and TV shows (including his own variety show from 1974-1976). In fact, he was never really out of the picture. His last appearance being in an episode of Dolly Parton's Heartstrings in 2019. Sadly, Mac Davis passed away in September, 2020 after heart surgery.

I have a soft spot for the guy. Not only as a Renaissance Man, but because I remember sitting on the floor, between my grandfather's knees as he sat in his easy chair, watching The Mac Davis Show. Great stuff.

As for my version of this tune I decided to change the drum format a little. I had always thought the constant roll on the toms was a bit too much, so I just did it every other measure. I think it still retains the same feel. I also broke out my '67 Greco 12-string...trust me, tuning a 12-string with a capo up the neck is a bit of a challenge. BTW, a lot of people ask me which instrument I start with first. Based on my attire I'm sure you can figure it out...at least on this tune.