The recent passing of Ray Sawyer, the iconic, eyepatch-wearing member of Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, served as a poignant reminder of the band’s enduring musical legacy. Fans around the globe fondly recalled their impressive string of hits, a seamless blend of country rock energy and the smooth, radio-friendly sounds of AM soft rock. Sawyer, a founding member hailing from Alabama, was integral to the band’s formation and image. Their name, inspired by Captain Hook, was a playful nod to the eyepatch he adopted after a car accident claimed his right eye.
Emerging as a refreshing contrast to the often-serious landscape of 1970s album rock, Dr. Hook was born from the grit of a New Jersey bar band. Their rise to fame was fueled by both their undeniable musical talent and collaborations with gifted songwriters. Their initial breakthroughs, “Sylvia’s Mother” and “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone'” – the latter showcasing Sawyer’s distinctive, gravelly vocals – were penned in partnership with Shel Silverstein, the celebrated children’s author and songwriter who contributed to several Dr. Hook albums. Further hits followed, solidifying their place in music history, until the band’s disbandment in 1985. Sawyer continued to tour alongside Dennis Locorriere, the band’s primary vocalist (who holds the rights to the Dr. Hook name), until health issues sidelined him in 2015.
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Dr. Hook’s music possesses a remarkable quality – it has aged exceptionally well, defying expectations. This enduring appeal stems from their infectious hooks and their spirited, engaging live performances. So, dust off your straw hat, grab those maracas, and join us as we remember Sawyer and the rest of Dr. Hook with a countdown of their classic tunes.
5. “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone'”: A Satirical Anthem
Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show achieved Top 10 success with “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone’,” a witty Shel Silverstein composition that playfully mocked a then-common aspiration for rock bands: gracing the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. Ray Sawyer takes center stage vocally, delivering a deep, almost spoken-word performance about a “freaky ole lady name a Cocaine Katie” and “taking all kinds of pills that give us all kinds of thrills,” all in pursuit of the ultimate thrill – seeing their faces on the front of the leading music publication. Ironically, the band’s tongue-in-cheek wish came true in 1973 when a caricature of Dr. Hook appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone. Filmmaker and Rolling Stone journalist Cameron Crowe later paid homage to Dr. Hook by including an acapella rendition of “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone'” by the fictional band Stillwater in his film Almost Famous, highlighting the song’s cultural impact.
4. “Sylvia’s Mother”: A Lovelorn Ballad with a Twist
Shel Silverstein gifted the band their initial hit with “Sylvia’s Mother,” a song inspired by a real phone call Silverstein made to the mother of a woman he was infatuated with. (Indeed, Sylvia and her mother were real people). Like many Dr. Hook songs, there’s a charmingly roguish quality to it. Listeners are drawn to sympathize with the heartbroken protagonist while simultaneously harboring a secret hope that “Mrs. Avery” will firmly hang up and prevent the gravel-voiced suitor on the other end of the line from ever getting near her beloved Sylvia again. This blend of sympathy and slight disapproval is part of the song’s enduring appeal and unique character within the Dr. Hook songbook.
Alt text: The Beatles performing on a rooftop, iconic image representing classic bands and musical eras, relevant to the discussion of Dr. Hook’s timeless music.
3. “Sharing the Night Together”: Embracing the Soft Rock Era
Following a period of less successful albums, the band streamlined their name to “Dr. Hook” and signed with Capitol Records in 1975, marking a shift in their sound. A cover of Sam Cooke’s “Only Sixteen” became a hit, along with “A Little Bit More,” a song often associated with romantic encounters in cars. (A viewing of Dr. Hook’s energetic performance of “A Little Bit More” on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert reveals how perceptions of rock band “sexiness” have evolved over time. They were certainly not the polished pop of a band like Maroon 5.) The 1978 album Pleasure & Pain saw Dr. Hook fully embrace slow-dance ballads, exemplified by their tender, somewhat suggestive ode to fleeting romance, “Sharing the Night Together.” This track demonstrated their versatility and ability to adapt to the changing musical landscape, while still retaining their signature charm.
2. “When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman”: A Chart-Topping Soft Rock Gem
Penned by the aptly named country rock songwriter Even Stevens, “When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman” became a quintessential 70s soft rock hit, reaching #6 on the charts. Its popularity was so significant that Dr. Hook included it on both the Pleasure & Pain album and its disco-infused 1979 follow-up, Sometimes You Win. Opening with a memorable keyboard riff that immediately gets stuck in your head, the lyrics delve into the insecurities of a man with a self-admitted “ego problem” struggling to trust the woman he loves. While the music is undeniably upbeat and catchy, the lyrical content hints at a deeper emotional complexity. Perhaps the protagonist should spend less time “watching her eyes” and “looking for lies” and more time communicating his anxieties with the woman enduring his constant jealousy.
1. “Sexy Eyes”: The Ultimate Late-Night Groove
“Sexy Eyes,” a sultry and smooth track, soared to number five on the Billboard charts, solidifying Dr. Hook’s reputation as masters of irresistible late-night grooves and cementing their place in popular culture. The song begins with the strikingly Eyes Wide Shut-esque line, “I was sittin’ all alone/Watching people get it on with each other.” However, listeners are quickly redirected away from any overly suggestive interpretations, as Dr. Hook’s focus is squarely on dancing and the captivating allure of catching a woman’s “sexy eyes” across the dance floor. This song perfectly encapsulates Dr. Hook’s ability to blend playful lyrics with sophisticated musicianship, creating songs that are both fun and undeniably cool.
-Nick Nadel
Photo of Dr. Hook: WikiCommons
PS. The interweb has recently rediscovered this post, from 2019, so it seemed a good time to re-feature it here.
