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Mark James, ‘Suspicious Minds’ Songwriter, Dead at 83
UltimateClassicRock ^ | June 13, 2024 | Corey Irwin

Posted on 06/16/2024 8:22:21 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Mark James, the songwriter known for penning such timeless tracks as “Suspicious Minds,” “Hooked on a Feeling” and “Always on My Mind”, has died at the age of 83.

James’ passing was first reported by the Houston Chronicle, who noted he died in his Nashville home on Saturday, June 8.

James’ career got started in the late ‘60s when he became a staff songwriter for Memphis record producer Chips Moman. While there, he wrote and recorded the song “Suspicious Minds,” however James’ rendition didn’t garner any commercial attention. A year later, Elvis Presley recorded his version of the tune and turned it into a No. 1 single, the final chart-topper of the King’s career.

In a 2012 conversation with the Wall Street Journal, James recalled how “Suspicious Minds” came together. “Late one night, fooling around on my Fender guitar and using my Hammond organ pedals for a bass line, I came up with a catchy melody,” he explained. “I was married to my first wife then but still had feelings for my childhood sweetheart, who was married back in Houston. My wife suspected I had those feelings, so it was a confusing time for me. I felt as though all three of us were all caught in this trap that we couldn’t walk out of.”

Also in 1968, James wrote the song “Hooked on a Feeling.” It was recorded by one of his childhood friends, B.J. Thomas, and eventually peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. Four years later the band Blue Swede would reach No. 1 with their version of “Hooked on a Feeling,” featuring the memorable “ooga chaka” chant.

Another of James’ beloved songs, “Always on My Mind,” was originally recorded by singer Brenda Lee in 1972 and became a minor country hit. Presley recorded a version of the song later that year and released it as the b-side to “Separate Ways.” Still the biggest commercial success for “Always on My Mind” came courtesy of Willie Nelson, who released his rendition in 1982. The single topped the country charts and crossed over to mainstream radio, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Watch Willie Nelson Perform 'Always on My Mind'

Willie Nelson - Always On My Mind (Official Video) Subscribe to Ultimate Classic Rock on

Nelson’s rendition of “Always on My Mind” earned James a pair of Grammys, as the tune took home Best Country Song and Song of the Year in 1983.

James wrote more than 200 songs over his impressive career. His material has been recorded by a wide range of artists, including Blood, Sweat & Tears, Pet Shop Boys, Fine Young Cannibals, Jay-Z and Bill Withers. James was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014.


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: elvis

1 posted on 06/16/2024 8:22:21 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Just shows it’s not the song, it’s the singer.


2 posted on 06/16/2024 8:25:03 PM PDT by Rennes Templar (Come back, President Trump.)
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To: nickcarraway

What is a rough figure for what he may have made for those songs?


3 posted on 06/16/2024 8:34:42 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: ansel12

“What is a rough figure for what he may have made for those songs?”

It’s always on my mind how song writers get ripped off, or maybe I just have a suspicious mind.


4 posted on 06/16/2024 8:39:44 PM PDT by Round Earther
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To: nickcarraway

Rest In Peace, Mark.


5 posted on 06/16/2024 8:49:07 PM PDT by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: Rennes Templar
Just shows it’s not the song, it’s the singer.

He had a bunch of top songs with an insane variety of singers. How about we just say it's both?
6 posted on 06/16/2024 8:54:33 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana (Stormy Daniels is a McGuffin)
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To: nickcarraway

https://www.graceland.com/blog/posts/elvis-week-day-3-where-is-elvis-in-memphis

Saw the organ used in the composition of Suspicious Minds at the Rock and Soul Museum in Memphis


7 posted on 06/16/2024 9:11:45 PM PDT by raccoonradio
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To: nickcarraway

Favorite song of all time...RIP.


8 posted on 06/16/2024 9:20:35 PM PDT by RckyRaCoCo (Time to throw them out of the Temple...again)
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To: nickcarraway

I used to have a pet mouse named Elvis. But he was caught in a trap.


9 posted on 06/16/2024 10:01:06 PM PDT by FrankRizzo890
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To: nickcarraway

https://youtu.be/T1g5tVGZhfk?si=dd9p3NuHtw3BkHE9

Elvis at his best.


10 posted on 06/16/2024 10:06:22 PM PDT by Eccl 10:2 (Prov 3:5 --- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding")
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To: Dr. Sivana

Like Jimmy Webb.


11 posted on 06/16/2024 10:35:30 PM PDT by Right Brother (Pray for God's intervention to stop UMCRevMom's invasion of Free Republic.)
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To: nickcarraway

Suspicious Minds,” “Hooked on a Feeling” and “Always on My Mind.” Three great songs. R.I.P.


12 posted on 06/17/2024 12:29:30 AM PDT by PghBaldy (12/14/12 - 930am -rampage begins... 12/15/12 - 1030am - Obama team scouts photo-op locations.)
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To: nickcarraway

We saw Dwight Yoakum in Raleigh on Friday, June 14 and for his last song he sang Suspicious Minds, which I thought was odd at the time, hoping for Long White Cadillac. But now I understand.


13 posted on 06/17/2024 5:16:21 AM PDT by yldstrk ( )
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To: nickcarraway

Fine Young Cannibals did a good version of it.


14 posted on 06/17/2024 5:18:32 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Rennes Templar

“Just shows it’s not the song, it’s the singer.”

Yes, and it has always perplexed me that people think Willie Nelson’s version of “Always On My Mind” is superior to Presley’s.


15 posted on 06/17/2024 6:45:54 AM PDT by odawg
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To: nickcarraway

One of the fathers of Hot Country, along with Wayne Carson, Mac Davis and Chips Moman.


16 posted on 06/17/2024 9:57:27 AM PDT by Publius
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