Mac Davis's birthday and 10 ramblin' songs

​ Happy birthday to Mac Davis, who turns 68 today. Who the hell is Mac Davis? Well, in addition to writing songs made famous by Elvis Presley like "In the Ghetto" and "Don't Cry Daddy," Davis is well known for writing my favorite ramblin' relationship-phobe song, "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me." In honor of Mac's special day, and in honor of relationship-phobes the world 'round, my top ten "Baby, don't mind me, I'm just a ramblin' man!" songs.

Mac Davis - "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me"

One of many overtly sexual songs to come out of pop country in the 70s and 80s, Davis explains in a lovely tenor that this relationship is only about the sex. Notable lyric: Girl don't let your life get tangled up in mine, 'cause I'll just leave you I can't take no clinging vine.

Don Williams - "Rake and Ramblin' Man"

When I first heard this song on the radio, my jaw dropped. Oh, the brutal honesty! Turns out it's not the protagonist Williams asking his lover "Do I look like a Daddy to you?" but rather, the protagonist's friend bemoaning the fact that he's knocked up his girl. Notable lyric: Now she's feelin' sick in the mornin's, she can't get into her jeans. I spent my last ten dollars, bought her a second hand ring.

Marshall Tucker Band - "Heard It in a Love Song"

First item to note: It's heard it in a love song, not pretty little love song. Now that that's out of the way - in this flute heavy country rock hit, vocalist Doug Gray sings that while he loves his lady, again, he's a ramblin' man! Where's his duffel bag? He's got to head on down the road, and he don't need no woman taggin' along. Notable lyric: I ain't never been with a woman long enough for my boots to get old. We've been together so long now they both need resoled.

Hank Williams - "Ramblin' Man"

In this hit, Williams loves his lady (noticing a pattern here?), but ever'time he hears a train he's gotta, you know, "head on down the line" (noticing a pattern here?). Notable lyric: I love you baby, but you gotta understand, when the lord made me he made a ramblin' man.