Early career
The performing name Kramer was chosen at random from a telephone directory. It was John Lennon's suggestion that the "J" be added to the name to further distinguish him by adding a 'tougher edge'. Billy soon came to the attention of Brian Epstein, ever on the look-out for new talent to add to his expanding roster of local artists. Kramer turned professional but his then backing band, The Coasters, were less keen, so Epstein sought out the services of a Manchester based band, The Dakotas, a well-respected combo then backing Pete MacLaine.
Even then, The Dakotas would not join Kramer without a recording deal of their own. Once in place, the deal was set and both acts signed to Parlophone under George Martin. Collectively, they were named Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas to keep their own identities within the act. Once the Beatles broke through, the way was paved for a tide of "Merseybeat" and Kramer was offered the chance to cover a song first released by the Beatles on their own debut album, Please Please Me. The track had been allegedly turned down by Shane Fenton (later Alvin Stardust) who was looking for a career reviving hit.
Success
With record producer George Martin, the song "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" was a number two UK Singles Chart hit in 1963, and was backed by another tune otherwise unreleased by The Beatles, "I'll Be on My Way". After this impressive breakthrough another Lennon/McCartney pairing "Bad to Me" c/w "I Call Your Name" reached number one. "I'll Keep You Satisfied" ended the year with a respectable number four placing.
Billy was given a series of songs specially written for him by John Lennon and Paul McCartney which launched him into stardom and a proper place in the history of Rock and Roll. I'll Keep You Satisfied, From A Window, I Call Your Name and Bad to Me all became international million sellers for Billy, and won him appearances on the TV shows Shindig!, Hullabaloo and The Ed Sullivan Show.
The Dakotas , meanwhile, enjoyed Top 20 success in 1963 on their own with Mike Maxfield's composition "The Cruel Sea", an instrumental retitled "The Cruel Surf" in the U.S., which was subsequently covered by The Ventures. This was followed by a George Martin creation, "Magic Carpet", evoking a dreamy atmosphere with a subtle echo laden piano, playing the melody alongside Maxfield's guitar. But it missed out altogether and it was a year before their next release. All four tracks appeared on a highly-collectable EP later that year.
The three big hits penned by Lennon and McCartney meant that Kramer was always seemingly in the Beatles' shadow, unless he did tried something different. Despite being advised against it, he insisted on recording the Stateside chart hit "Little Children" - the lyrics were allegedly about getting his girlfriend's brothers and sisters out of the way so they could make love. It became his second chart topper and biggest hit. It was Kramer's only major hit outside of the UK. In the U.S., this was followed up with "Bad to Me" which reached number nine. Despite this success Kramer went backwards with his second and last UK single of 1964; another Lennon/McCartney cast-off "From A Window", which only just became a Top Ten hit.
After the peak
The year 1965 saw the end for the Merseybeat boom, and the next Kramer single was "It's Gotta Last Forever", which harked back to a ballad approach. In a year where mod-related music from the likes of The Who prevailed, the single missed completely. Kramer's cover of "Trains and Boats and Planes" saw off Anita Harris' cover version only to find itself in direct competition with its composer, Burt Bacharach's effort, which won the day. Kramer's effort still reached a respectable number 12, but was the group's swansong, as all future cuts missed the chart.
The Dakotas ranks were then strengthened by the inclusion of Mick Green, the ex-guitarist with the London band the Pirates who backed Johnny Kidd. This line-up cut a few tracks which were at odds with the balladeer's usual fare. These included a take on "When You Walk in the Room" and "Sneakin' Around". The Dakotas final outing whilst with Kramer was the blues driven "Oyeh!" - but this also flopped.
The final showing
After releasing "We're Doing Fine", it too missed the charts leaving singer and group to part company. Kramer had a brief solo career which took him eventually to live in America.
The Dakotas re-formed in the late 1980s and recruited vocalist Eddie Mooney and session musician Toni Baker. They still tour and record. Other latter-day members are drummer Pete Hilton and guitarist Alan Clare.
In 2005, Kramer recorded the song "Cow Planet" for Sandra Boynton's children's album, Dog Train. A long-time fan of Kramer's, Boynton had sought him out for her project: in 1964, at age 11, she had bought Little Children as the first album she ever owned.
From a Window
Billy J. Kramer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I saw a light shine from a window,
And as I looked again,
Your face came into sight.
I couldn't walk on
Until you'd gone from your window.
I had to make you mine,
Oh, I would be so glad
Just to have a love like that,
Oh, I would be so true
And I'd live my life for you.
So meet me tonight,
Just where the light shines from a window,
And as I take your hand,
Say that you'll be mine tonight.
Oh, I would be so glad
Just to have a love like that,
Oh, I would be true
And I'd give my life for you.
So meet me tonight,
Just where the light shines from a window,
And as I take your hand,
Say that you'll be mine tonight.
The song From a Window by Billy J. Kramer narrates a story about a man who falls in love at first sight with a woman he sees through a window. He saw a light shining from her window late one night and upon looking again, he saw her face. He was so smitten with her that he waits until she leaves her window before he can move on. He knew from that moment that she was the one he wanted to be with and he had to make her his. He then proceeds to ask her to meet him where the light shines from her window, and he promises to be honest, devoted, and faithful to her.
The lyrics in this song are very simple yet very effective. The portrayal of the scene is clear and the emotions of the singer are reflective of any typical sappy love story. The simple message of pursuing your love interest before it's too late is universal and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
Late yesterday night,
Last night, late in the evening,
I saw a light shine from a window,
I noticed a beam of light emanating from a window,
And as I looked again,
As I continued to observe,
Your face came into sight.
Your visage became visible to my eyes.
I couldn't walk on
I was unable to progress,
Until you'd gone from your window.
Until you had vacated your position near the window.
I had to make you mine,
I felt the urge to claim you as my own,
I knew you were the one.
I was sure that you were the right person for me.
Oh, I would be so glad
I would be extremely happy,
Just to have a love like that,
If I could obtain love like that,
Oh, I would be so true
I would remain loyal,
And I'd live my life for you.
I would dedicate my existence to you.
So meet me tonight,
Therefore, join me this evening,
Just where the light shines from a window,
In the vicinity of the illuminated window,
And as I take your hand,
While I grasp your hand,
Say that you'll be mine tonight.
Proclaim that you will be my companion for the night.
Oh, I would be so glad
I would be extremely happy,
Just to have a love like that,
If I could obtain love like that,
Oh, I would be true
I would remain loyal,
And I'd give my life for you.
I would sacrifice my life for you.
So meet me tonight,
Therefore, join me this evening,
Just where the light shines from a window,
In the vicinity of the illuminated window,
And as I take your hand,
While I grasp your hand,
Say that you'll be mine tonight.
Proclaim that you will be my companion for the night.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertbayer7935
Another great Lennon and McCartney song
@JF-eu4xz
Yes. But performance is original and outstanding
@richardbanker3910
Billy J Kramer does a great job on this song but the melody of this song is brilliant and typically Paul.
@EPA18
I don't agree. Of course it is a Lennon and McCartney song, but the song the second rate, which may be why they passed on putting it on one of their albums.
@trentaccid2177
TRUE BUT THIS GUY BILLY J KRAMER HAD SOMETHING THE BEATLES DID NOT
NO DRUGS WITH THIS GUY. EVERYONE'S FRIEND.
@panamasrose
Miss this era of music so much.
@1910FruitgumCompany
amen!
@colindant3410
Don't worry. Youtube does the job! I was 9 years old when this song was in the charts. Now I am nearly 69.
@sylviacharlton9333
I saw Billy J Kramer at the very beginning of his singing career in the 1960's when he performed in Walkden, Lancashire. So nice to see this video, thank you for the memories.
@sustainfem
Thanks for posting one of my favorites from Billy J! So many great memories.