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American singer-songwriter, Joe South, sadly died of heart failure at his home in Buford, Georgia, on Wednesday (September 5). The 72-year-old was best known for his classic hit “Games People Play,” but his talents stretched much further than that, including playing on many great records in his time as a session musician, and penning such hits as Lynn Anderson’s “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden”.

South was born Joseph Alfred Souter in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 28, 1940. His entry into the music world came via the forgettable novelty hit “The Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor” in 1958. Over the next decade, his focus was on session work and writing songs for others, including “I Might Have Known” and “Gone Gone Gone” for Gene Vincent,” and “Down in the Boondocks” and “Hush” for Billy Joe Royal. The latter was later a hit for Deep Purple.

South’s many session credits included Tommy Roe’s “Sheila,” Bob Dylan’s “Blonde On Blonde” album, Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sounds Of Silence” album, and Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools”.

After years as a session player and an unsuccessful period with Columbia, South signed with Capitol records in 1967. His national and international breakthrough came in 1969 with the superb “Games People Play,” which peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and number six in the UK.

The title of “Games People Play” was most likely borrowed from Eric Berne’s psychology book on transactional analysis, which examined how people instinctively and sometimes manipulatively take on positions and personas in everyday interactions with others. South’s forthright lyrics express his disdain for the multitude of voices that are competing for his attention and trying to sell him their version of the truth. South’s strong baritone communicates the message perfectly and there is even a well-judged dismissive laugh to reinforce the point.

“Games People Play” is also a brilliantly produced record, which grabs the listener from the start as the song’s infectious hook is played on South’s Danelectro electric sitar. It would go on to win Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Song and Song of the Year.

“Games People Play” – Joe South

South’s only other big hit, “Walk a Mile In My Shoes,” was a commentary on the social and political unrest of the time, with an emphasis on the futility of intolerance and the importance of empathy – “Before you abuse, criticize and accuse/Walk a mile in my shoes”. The message resonated with Elvis Presley, who incorporated the song into his show, sometimes introducing it with a complementary recitation from Hank Williams’ “Men With Broken Hearts”.

“Walk a Mile In My Shoes” – Joe South

This welcome solo success was followed by the start of a fruitful collaboration with country singer Lynn Anderson, whose version of South’s “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden” was a smash hit around the world and would earn Anderson a Grammy for her vocal and South Grammy nominations for both Best Country Song and Song of the Year. Anderson would go on to have hits with South’s “How Can I Unlove You” and “Fool Me”.

Joe South’s talent has never been in question, but he took himself out of the music industry in the early 1970s after the tragic suicide of his brother, Tommy, led to a battle with manic depression. He did continue to write songs and there were occasional hints of a return, but they came to nothing and Joe South lived out his days at his home in Georgia.

Although South’s career stalled prematurely, the best of his work as a singer and songwriter continues to delight music fans to this day.