999,925: Paul Davis - Superstar

Have you ever heard Arthur Conley’s “Sweet Soul Music,” from 1967? It’s a love letter to/advertisement for contemporary soul music, name-checking all of Arthur’s favorites and really doing little else with the lyrics. Now, have you ever wished there was an equivalent for the soft sounds of the ‘70s? Well, you’re in luck, because country-tinged soft-rocker Paul Davis recorded one called “Superstar,” which barely scraped into the Top 40 in 1976. Paul name-checks all his smoothest favorites, dropping semi-inside references along the way to make sure we believe in his fanboy credentials. He makes sure to note that Bernie Taupin writes the words to his favorite Elton John tunes, like “Philadelphia Freedom.” Stevie is, of course, described as a “wonder.” Joni Mitchell cheers him up when he’s feeling “blue” – just like the title of her signature album! – which makes him think he’s falling in love with her. The greatest moment, of course, comes when Davis compliments Linda Ronstadt on her recent weight loss. It’s sincere, admiring, and not more than a little bit awkward.

And that’s the subtext for the whole song, really. Soft rock helped men mellow out and discover their feelings, and like many folks noticing their own emotions for the first time, their expression is awkward, simple, and uncomfortably direct. There’s rather too much significance attached to personal feelings simply by virtue of their being personal, or perhaps the amazement at having learned how to pay attention to this sort of thing on a very basic level. Either way, there’s a pride of ownership and a celebration of the interior self that isn’t quite proportionate to what it communicates to the rest of the world. So “Superstar” tells us not only which artists Paul Davis enjoys, but how they make him feel. Basically, they make him feel good. With their music. So he LOVES them. As people. And as women, if the shoe fits. Their music sounds good to him. It makes him see. He has to personally thank them for what they are, because of what they mean to him. It’s entirely personal, as opposed to Arthur Conley shouting “Do ya like good music?! Ha! Whoa yeah!”

But on the other hand, what’s so wrong with that? Is this guy really a weenie? He’s just being honest. Is my discomfort with his clearly visible emotions just a projection of my own fear of vulnerability? Hasn’t recent research shown that people with active social lives and meaningful relationships live longer? Couldn’t we all use a little more openness and warmth with the people in our lives? Wait…on second thought, the people he’s being open with aren’t actually in his life, and he’s sort of trying to bone Joni Mitchell. Never mind.