Billy Fury from Liverpool, England began music lessons, on the piano, at age 11. He got his first guitar at age 14. By 1955, the skiffle music boom had begun in England and Fury was leading his own local group, while still working on a tugboat and/or as a stevedore. By 1958, he had won a talent competition and had begun to write his own songs.
In a story which was legend among the British youth of the period, Fury was discovered by impressario Larry Parnes on October 1, 1958. That night, Fury attended a performance of The Larry Parnes Extravaganza, hoping to offer his songs to Marty Wilde, one of the featured performers and a well-known rock-&-roll star because of his appearances on the television series, "Oh Boy!" Fury did get backstage, and was seen by Parnes while performing one of his own songs for Wilde. Parnes booked Fury to appear on the Extravaganze that same night and the rest, as they say, is history - the applause which Fury received earned him a permanent spot on the tour and Parnes as his agent. Parnes' established proceedure was to give his singers stage names representing emotions and attributes: Marty Wilde, Johnny Gentle, Vince Eager. Thus, Ronald Wycherley became Billy Fury.
By the British standards of the day, Fury's early performances were so suggestive that a curtain was brought down on one of his shows. This forced Fury to restrain himself from his more overtly sexual stage moves. Fury's recording career began in early, 1959, with "Maybe Tomorrow," a song which he had written and which charted soon after its release. Fury's television debut came soon after in "Strictly For Sparrows." After that, Fury became a fixture on musical showcases such as "Oh Boy!"
After a string of hit singles, Fury cut his debut album, "The Sound of Fury," in 1960. Fury's back-up players included Joe Brown, one of England's few serious rockabilly players at that time, and drummer Andy White, who later played on the original release version of The Beatles' debut single "Love Me Do." The album sold well and has been re-released a half-dozen times since, including a CD version in the early 1990s. In an interview during the '70s, Keith Richards declared "The Sound of Fury" one of the greatest rock 'n roll albums of its era.
In 1960, DECCA Records decided to soften Fury's sound, at least on his singles, and Fury's early 60's recordings took on a more sophisticated air. "Talkin' In My Sleep" and "Don't Worry," backed by The Four Kestrels, were two results of this change. "Halfway to Paradise," in 1961, began Fury's brief assault on the top of the charts. The orchestrated "Halfway to Paradise" hit #3. A few months later, "Jealousy" reached #2; "I'd Never Find Another You" reached #5. By 1962, Fury was England's top rock-n-roll attraction, backed by the legendary Tornadoes of "Telstar" fame, appearing regularly on television. During this time, he also ventured to America where he got to meet Elvis Presley on the set of "Girls, Girls, Girls." (Many considered Fury to be the closest that England came to producing its own Elvis Presley, capable of dark, brooding, sexual performances, as well as gentle, vulnerable ballads.)
It was the arrival of another group from Liverpool, The Beatles, which ended Fury's dominance of the British teen music scene. (Interesting aside - The Beatles had tried, and failed, to become Fury's back-up during one of his tours.) Nonetheless, Fury continued to chart records into 1964. During that summer, he starred in a semi-autobiographical movie, "I've Got a Horse." Later the same year, he got his own television show. By 1965, however, Fury's health had begun to deteriorate and his records seldom charted better than the mid-20s.
Fury left DECCA Records in 1966 and signed a five-year contract with EMI's Parlophone Records. During those five years, Fury saw some very modest success but nothing like the frenzied stardom of his first seven years in music.
Fury underwent heart surgery in 1970 and in 1971, but resumed performing in 1972. England's rock-n-roll revival during the mid-70s saw the re-release of "The Sound of Fury," as well as other parts of Fury's catalog. During those years, Fury toured England with his one-time idol Marty Wilde. When he wasn't performing, Fury looked after his other interests, including wildlife preservation.
Another heart operation, in 1976, essentially ended Fury's musical career although there were still occasional recordings and television appearances. In 1978, Fury re-recorded his classic songs for K-Tel; in the early '80s he recut his old hits yet again for Polydor, which, by that time, owned DECCA Records. In 1981, a single, "Be Mine Tonight," just missed the British charts.
On March 4, 1982, Fury collapsed and nearly died while working on his farm. Nonetheless, that summer, he again went back on tour and placed the singles "Love Or Money" and "Devil Or Angel" on the English charts. Plans were made for a new album and a national tour, but Fury was found unconscious in his home on January 28, 1983. He died that same day in hospital.
A posthumous single, "Forget Him," charted in England later that same year. Numerous re-issues, as well as releases of previously unreleased material, have continued to appear in the compact disc era, most recently the "40th Anniversary Anthology," a double CD set and Beat Goes On's two-on-one CD of "We Want Billy" and "Billy."
On 10 April 1983, a tribute concert for Billy was held at the Beck Theatre in Hayes, Middlesex. All the artists performed for free and the money raised was donated to the Billy Fury memorial fund for research into heart disease. On the bill were such names as Marty Wilde with his daughter Kim Wilde, Joe Brown, Alvin Stardust, Dave Berry, Helen Shapiro, and John Miles.[citation needed]
In 1999 a TV documentary about Billy called Halfway to Paradise was broadcast on the BBC channel. It was narrated by Ian Dury.
Between 1999 and 2000 the song "Wondrous Place", a favourite of Fury's (he re-recorded it at least three times during his career), later received wide airplay on British television when it was used as the theme for a Toyota Yaris car advertisement.
On 19 April 2003 a bronze statue of Fury was unveiled by Jack Good at the National Museum of Liverpool Life. The sculpture, by Tom Murphy, a Liverpool sculptor, was donated by 'The Sound of Fury' fan club after the money was raised by fans.
In 2005 Spencer Leigh from BBC Radio Merseyside published a biography book about Billy Fury called Wondrous Face – The Billy Fury Story.
In 2008 a biographical documentary film Billy Fury His Wondrous Story was released on DVD.
Eight of his EMI recordings remained unreleased on mainstream CD until June 2010, when they appeared on a 29-track issue, The Complete Parlophone Singles, released by Peaksoft (PEA009). The singer's estate licensed the tracks to benefit his memorial fund, which finances equipment purchases for hospital heart units.
In November 2011, further co-operation between the estate and Peaksoft resulted in the issuing of a second CD, The Lost Album (PEA014), which attempted to construct the format of an album recorded by Fury in 1967–71, but which was never released.
In 2010 Camden Council, London, named a small formerly nameless road Billy Fury Way in his honour. It starts just off Finchley Road near Finchley & Frognal station and runs to West Hampstead Station. He had recorded at the nearby Decca Studios. The alleyway was decorated with a large mural of his face (at the West Hampstead end), which was unveiled and blessed on Friday 29 July 2011.
Play It Cool was released for the first time on DVD on 10 February 2014.
Magic Eyes
Billy Fury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All day, the same thing happens too
I can't explain just where the answer lies
Ooh it must have been your haunting magic eyes
Mmmm
That smile of yours,
Your such a mystery
Oh how they capture me
If this is love
I'm not at all surprise -ised
For the greatest thrill is in your magic eyes
Now kiss me tenderly
And let me hold you tight
So there can be no doubt
Left in my mind tonight
Mmmm
Oh yes you were meant for me
Oo oh yes it's so plain to see
I was a fool and yet i should have know o o own
That i should surely make
Those magic eyes my very owwwwwn
The song "Magic Eyes" by Billy Fury is an ode to a woman who has captured the singer's heart with her alluring gaze. The lyrics describe how the singer can't get the woman off his mind, even when he's sleeping. He finds himself contemplating where the answer to his love for her lies, concluding it must be due to her enchanting eyes that seem to have a magical hold on him. He remarks on her mysterious smile and capturing lips that further entice him. The chorus exclaims that if this is love, then he's not surprised because the greatest thrill for him lies in her magic eyes. The song ends with him confessing he was a fool to think she wasn't meant for him and expresses his desire to make those magic eyes his own.
The song's lyrics portray a sense of infatuation and attraction towards the woman being sung about who captures the singer's heart with just her charm and mystical power. The notion of magic eyes is used effectively to convey the idea that love can be as simple as being drawn to someone's magnetic gaze. The lyrics also introduce the idea of surrendering oneself to this love, both physically and emotionally, as the singer yearns for the kiss and embrace of the woman, declaring her to be meant for him.
Line by Line Meaning
All night, i only dream of you
Throughout the night, my dreams only consist of thoughts of you.
All day, the same thing happens too
Even during the day, thoughts of you are constantly present in my mind.
I can't explain just where the answer lies
I am unable to find the explanation or reason for my feelings.
Ooh it must have been your haunting magic eyes
It is likely that your mesmerizing eyes are the reason for my infatuation and attraction towards you.
That smile of yours,
Your smile is captivating and leaves a strong impression on me.
Your such a mystery
You are a complex and intriguing individual.
Those lips of yours
Your lips are also captivating and have a significant impact on me.
Oh how they capture me
Your overall appearance and presence have enchanted and entranced me.
If this is love
If what I am feeling is love, then
I'm not at all surprise -ised
It is not surprising to me that the emotions that you evoke in me are of love.
For the greatest thrill is in your magic eyes
The most thrilling aspect of my infatuation lies in the magic of your eyes.
Now kiss me tenderly
Please kiss me in a gentle and affectionate way.
And let me hold you tight
Allow me to hold you closely and tightly.
So there can be no doubt
This physical closeness will eliminate any lingering uncertainty I may have about my feelings.
Left in my mind tonight
There will be no doubts or uncertainties lingering in my thoughts tonight.
Oh yes you were meant for me
I believe that you were destined to be part of my life.
Oo oh yes it's so plain to see
It is clear and obvious to me that you are the one for me.
I was a fool and yet i should have know o o own
I may have been foolish in not realizing sooner, but I should have known that I belonged with you.
That i should surely make
I am certain that I need to,
Those magic eyes my very owwwwwn
Make those captivating and magic eyes mine.
Writer(s): dorian burton
Contributed by Luke W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@staceydemantet7932
Beautful man. My mum loved him and so do I.♥♥♥♥
@traceyhayward6848
My mum brought me ere . Love Billy fury just like me mum .❤️❤️❤️❤️
@carlosfernandocastilloespa8598
Sad that this video has so few likes; but people now just don't appreciate this kínd of music
@king77703
Billy Fury could certainly carry a tune effortlessly. Just goes to show you gotta have the breaks to be successful in showbiz, a good promoter/manager is also required, looks as though Billy didn't have either, but still, he was possibly one, if not, the best singer England has produced.
@ericbarker3662
BILLY'S FAN CLUB THE SOUND OF FURY IS FREE TO JOIN. EMAIL THEM AND ASK FOR YOUR NAME TO BE INCLUDED.
@marylynch3961
❤🎉😂ml