I Go Crazy - Paul Davis (1977) 3/9/21

Today's "Great Song of the '70s" was certainly a Top 10 hit...but even more impressive was its longevity!

The song entered Billboard's Hot 100 chart on August 27th, 1977...and very slowly made its way to #7, where it stayed for 3 weeks in March and April of 1978...then slowly worked its way back down the chart until it fell off at the end of May. That's FORTY straight weeks (9 months and one week)!

That's an incredible run...and that alone should qualify "I Go Crazy" as a "Great Song," but on top of that, the lyrics are relatable to anyone who has never really gotten over an old love. And isn't that just about everyone?

Paul Davis wrote and recorded the song as a demo, and then pitched it to his record company as something he thought Lou Rawls could make a hit. They disagreed and thought Paul's demo was just fine...with just a few tweaks. Obviously, they were right!

Over the years, "I Go Crazy" has been covered by several artists, including Barry Manilow, who had a minor hit with it in 1997 (#30 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.) Lou Rawls eventually recorded it, but it didn't chart!

"I Go Crazy:" quite possibly the slowest moving "Great Song of the '70s!" :-)

Paul Davis:

Barry Manilow:

Lou Rawls: