“Hooked on a Feeling” songwriter Mark James dies at the age of 83

Mark James, the Grammy-winning songwriter behind hits such as “Hooked on a Feeling,” “Suspicious Minds” and “Always on My Mind,” has died.

The Houston Chronicle reported that he died at his home in Nashville on Saturday, June 8. He was 83 years old.

“Mark’s legacy and joy of life will live on in the hearts of those who loved him and through his timeless lyrics and melodies that have been the soundtrack for lovers for generations,” the family said in a statement via diversity.

Houston native Francis Zambon changed his name when he began playing guitar in public because the city’s club owners felt he needed to change his name. He launched his music career in his hometown, recording his first single, “Jive Note,” in 1959. He eventually formed his own project, the Mark James Trio.

After his tour of duty in Vietnam, he moved to Memphis, where he signed with a music publishing company and began his songwriting career with Houston native BJ Thomas. He contributed to Thomas’s breakthrough hit “The Eyes of a New York Woman,” “It’s Only Love,” and later the chart-topping “Hooked On a Feeling,” recorded by Swedish group Blue Swede in 1974.

James was also the writer of Elvis Presley’s hit “Suspicious Minds,” which was originally released in 1968 without much fanfare but took off the next year when The King recorded it. Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter made it a country hit in 1976, and The Fine Young Cannibals turned the song into a Brit-pop success in 1986. It also became a soundtrack highlight for Dwight Yoakam in 1992.

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In 1983, James won two Grammys for “Always on My Mind,” recorded by Willie Nelson and co-written by Wayne Carson and Johnny Christopher. Before Nelson took on the song, Presley had recorded a version of it in 1972, but it didn’t have much success at the time. However, a rendition by the Pet Shop Boys in 1987 gave the song a boost in popularity. In 2008, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

James was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014. He has also been inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame, the New York Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In his later years, the songwriter focused more on film music. His songs were also featured on soundtracks for films such as Applied Magic, Reservoir Dogs, Honeymoon in Vegas, Kramer against Kramer, frequency And Protector of the Galaxy.

The prolific songwriter leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Karen Zambon, his daughters Sammie and Dana Zambon, his grandchildren and his extended family.