Mark James, the Grammy-winning songwriter behind Elvis Presley’s hit Suspicious Minds, has died at age 83.
A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he also wrote Hooked On A Feeling and co-wrote Always On Mind.
James died on June 8 at his home in Nashville, as first reported by his hometown newspaper, the Houston Chronicle.
His family said in a statement: “Mark’s legacy and enthusiasm 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.”
Named Songwriter of the Century by Broadcast Music (BMI) in 2000, the music licensing company also included Suspicious Minds, Hooked On A Feeling and Always On My Mind in a list of the 100 greatest songs of the 20th century.
Elvis Presley performing in Las Vegas. Photo: PA
James won two Grammy Awards in 1983 for Always On My Mind, which he shared with co-writers Wayne Carson and Johnny Christopher.
Most associated with Elvis Presley, was also recorded by Willie Nelson and the Pet Shop Boys. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.
Suspicious Minds, which became one of Presley’s signature songs, was initially written by James for his own recording career in the late 1960s.
It was inspired by James’ feelings for a childhood sweetheart, while they were both married to other people.
Speaking about the song to the Wall Street Journal later in his career, James described it as a “confusing moment”, in which “it felt like the three of us were caught in this trap that we couldn’t get out of.”
In 1969 it became the King’s last number one hit, revitalizing Presley’s flagging career and helping him become the biggest entertainer in Las Vegas until his death eight years later.
Suspicious Minds was also recorded by Fine Young Cannibals, reaching number eight in the UK charts in 1986.
James performing at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards in 2014. Photo: AP
Another of James’ songs, Hooked On A Feeling, which was originally recorded by American singer BJ Thomas in 1969 and reached number five on the US charts, was re-recorded in 1974 by Blue Swede incorporating a catchy “ooga-chaka” chant. , which reached US number one.
It has appeared in films such as Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs and Guardians Of The Galaxy, and this year Swedish rock band The Hives recorded a version, keeping with the inspired Blue Swede chant.
James also wrote other songs for Presley, including Moody Blue, the title track from her latest album, and It’s Only Love and Raised On Rock.
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James is also a member of the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame, the New York Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 2021, Sony/ATV Music Publishing announced that it had signed a deal with James, renewing a contract that began 50 years earlier when he signed with Screen Gems/EMI.
He also landed expanded rights to Suspicious Minds, Hooked On A Feeling and Always On My Mind.
James is survived by his wife of 53 years, Karen Zambon, his daughters Sammie and Dana Zambon, and his grandchildren.
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