Songwriter Mark James dies aged 83 at home in Nashville (Picture: Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)
One of the most successful songwriters of our time and the penman behind Suspicious Minds, Mark James, has died aged 83.
A cause of death has not been released with his family announcing he had died peacefully at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 8.
The Texas-born writer wrote huge hits for Elvis Presley, such as Always On My Mind, as well as Blue Swede’s Hooked on a Feeling.
His songs have been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Willie Nelson, Bill Withers, Brenda Lee, Jay-Z, Pet Shop Boys and Michael Bublé.
James’ family told the Houston Chronicle: ‘His larger-than-life personality filled any room he was in, and his smile lit it up.
‘He was a captivating storyteller who had the sweetest smile, the most infectious laugh and a twinkle in his eye that never dimmed.’
James said he was ‘thankful’ people loved his music still (Picture: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for SHOF)
In 2000 he was named as one of the most influential songwriters of the 21st century, with his songs featured in films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Reservoir Dogs.
Four years later James was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame with the likes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Elton John, and the Bee Gees.
Born Francis Zambon in 1940, by the age of 19, he was performing locally and had recorded his first single; Jive Note.
Suspicious Minds was originally recorded by James before Presley’s version and related to his complex emotions around being married but being in love with his childhood sweetheart.
‘It was a confusing time for me,’ he once told the Wall Street Journal. ‘I felt as though all three of us were all caught in this trap that we couldn’t walk out of.’
While James’ version failed to move up the charts, Presley went ‘crazy’ for the song when he first heard it and insisted on covering it.
In 1969, Suspicious Minds reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 — the 18th and final Elvis song to do so.
They later worked together on other tracks like It’s Only Love, Moody Blue and Raised on Rock.
In 2021, James said he was ‘thankful’ that his songs were ‘still being embraced by new generations of listeners around the world.’
In a statement, his family added: ‘Mark’s legacy and zest 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.’
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