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.
My Christmas Prayer
Billy Fury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the whole world kneels to pray
For tomorrow brings the dawning
Of another Christmas Day
Oh Lord, will you please help me
For my baby′s gone astray?
Bring her back, 'cause I′m so lonesome
I don't need mistletoe
Where did my baby go?
Oh, where can she be?
Lord, hear my prayer
I really care
Please bring her back to me
Oh Lord, the snow is falling
And the whole world kneels to pray
For tomorrow brings the dawning
Of another Christmas Day
Of another Christmas Day
The song "My Christmas Prayer" performed by Billy Fury is a moving and heartfelt plea to the Lord for assistance in reuniting the singer with his love. The song begins with an acknowledgement of the falling snow and the world's prayerful posture, anticipating the arrival of Christmas. However, the singer's thoughts quickly turn to his lost love and his need for divine intervention to bring her back. He is consumed by thoughts of loneliness and the prospect of spending yet another Christmas without her. The lines, "I don't need mistletoe, where did my baby go? Oh, where can she be?" convey the singer's pain as he contemplates his situation. He then implores the Lord to hear his prayer and bring his love back to him.
One of the striking things about "My Christmas Prayer" is the way the song blends the religious and secular aspects of the holiday. The religious theme is expressed in the opening lines, "the whole world kneels to pray," and the singer's appeal to the Lord throughout the song. The secular theme is conveyed in the form of the singer's longing for his beloved and his need for her presence at Christmas time. This creates a powerful emotional connection for the listener, as the song speaks to both the spiritual and emotional dimensions of the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Lord, the snow is falling
As it snows outside, I am reminded of the beauty and wonder of the season, and I am seeking solace in prayer.
And the whole world kneels to pray
During this season, people around the world come together in prayer, acknowledging the spiritual significance of Christmas.
For tomorrow brings the dawning
Christmas is a new beginning, a fresh start as we reflect on the year that has passed and anticipate what the future holds.
Of another Christmas Day
Christmas is a time of hope and renewal, a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the message of love and peace that he brings.
Oh Lord, will you please help me
I am asking for divine intervention in my life, as I struggle with the pain and loneliness of a lost love.
For my baby's gone astray?
I fear that the one I love has wandered away, leaving me with a sense of emptiness and longing.
Bring her back, 'cause I'm so lonesome
I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring my love back to me, as I cannot bear to spend another day feeling so alone and lost.
And tomorrow's Christmas Day
Christmas represents hope and renewal, and I am praying that this day will bring a new beginning for me and my loved one.
I don't need mistletoe
The traditions of Christmas, such as mistletoe and gifts, hold no meaning for me without the one I love by my side.
Where did my baby go?
I am lost and confused, unsure of where my love has gone and why they have left me behind.
Oh, where can she be?
My heart is heavy with worry and sadness, as I search for any sign of my loved one and hope for their safe return.
Lord, hear my prayer
I am reaching out to God, asking for guidance and strength as I face this difficult time in my life.
I really care
My love for my significant other is deep and true, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring them back to me.
Please bring her back to me
I am pleading with God to bring my love back to me, as I cannot imagine living without them and need them in my life.
Writer(s): Tyler Hayes, Benjamin Winans, Greg Bieck
Contributed by Sarah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@darrylabram
The best British singer song writer by far , step aside Cliff, Billy had it all , lets start a movement and get this beautiful song to number 1 this Christmas . . . . come on
@midsaint776
what a beautiful christmas song . i am only 49 years old , but love the music from the 1950's and 1960's .
@john111257
he wrote this too
@michaeldawson239
This is when music was pure and simple. If it was released today, it would be a hit
@darrenbarker946
Fantastic x
@andrewbrowning9755
Fabulous from England's king of Rock n Roll a great Christmas record
@debraparry8085
Classic
@bassslapper1960
A brilliant record. Beautiful backing for teenage Billy's trully fantastic voice. Clever and unexpected change of tempo at the end. I believe this was his lowest selling Decca single release, but it should have been a huge hit. Definately a classic "one that got away".
@john111257
this is a truly great christmas song..hardly ever played on the radio..self penned too...
@soulman4692
Have heard it today on Rockabilly-Radio...!!!