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.
I'll Keep You Satisfied
Billy J. Kramer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here I stand with my arms open wide,
Give me love and remember, what I told you,
I'll keep you satisfied.
You don't need anybody to kiss you,
Ev'ry day I'll be here by your side,
Don't go 'way, I'm afraid that I might miss you,
I'll keep you satisfied.
But it's diff'rent with a boy like me and a love like mine.
So believe ev'rything that I told you,
And agree that with me by your side,
You don't need anybody to hold you,
I'll keep you satisfied.
You can always get a simple thing like love anytime,
But it's diff'rent with a boy like me and a love like mine.
So believe ev'rything that I told you,
And agree that with me by your side,
You don't need anybody to hold you,
I'll keep you satisfied.
Give me love and remember, what I told you,
I'll keep you satisfied.
The main theme of the song "I'll Keep You Satisfied" by Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas is the assurance of love and protection. The first stanza establishes the idea that the singer is always there for the person he loves, even if she does not really need anyone to hold or kiss her. The second stanza emphasizes how the singer fears losing the love of his life, that is why he asks her not to go away. The chorus confirms the promise of the singer to keep his beloved satisfied and happy.
The song creates this beautiful image of a man who is deeply in love and is desperate to keep his relationship with his partner secure. The words "Give me love and remember what I told you" show that the singer is trusting his beloved to reciprocate his love and stay by his side. Furthermore, the phrase "you can always get a simple thing like love anytime" highlights the difference between ordinary love and the passionate kind of love that the singer has to offer. He believes that he is different from anyone else and can offer authentic and fulfilling love that can keep his beloved satisfied.
Overall, "I'll Keep You Satisfied" is a love song that expresses the need for commitment and reassurance in a relationship. The lyrics are simple yet meaningful, and the melody complements the emotion behind the words perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't need anybody to hold you,
You are capable of standing on your own without anyone's help.
Here I stand with my arms open wide,
I am ready to embrace you and be there for you.
Give me love and remember, what I told you,
Show me affection and keep in mind what I have promised.
I'll keep you satisfied.
I will make sure that you are happy and content in our relationship.
You don't need anybody to kiss you,
You do not require anyone to show you romantic affection.
Ev'ry day I'll be here by your side,
I will be with you every day and support you through everything.
Don't go 'way, I'm afraid that I might miss you,
Please do not leave, as I fear I will regret not having you around.
You can always get a simple thing like love anytime,
Love is an easy emotion to find and experience at any given moment.
But it's diff'rent with a boy like me and a love like mine.
However, the love that I have to offer is unique and special for a girl like you.
So believe ev'rything that I told you,
Trust in the promises and assurances I have made to you.
And agree that with me by your side,
Admit that our togetherness is what will make you happy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tom Jeffrey
That guitar player is great! He really makes it his own.
Tony Jones
Tom Jeffrey Mick Green--------
Cadno'r Cwm
That song has Lennon/McCartney written all over it, but Billy J & the Dakotas do it brilliantly. John (Wales UK)
john e Lawler
I saw him live on the Beatles gig in 63, one very good performance
scienz
Wow. I could imagine. Lucky u.
john e Lawler
@scienz i was but i didnt really appreciate it as much as i should have done i was only 13 & treated it like a school dance lol
cricketbat09
The song lasts less than a minute! Amazing.
Golden.Lights.Twinkle
This is a foreshortened version of the full song.
scienz
they all look like they're having fun. i love it.
Michael Hobbs
Great to see Mick Green, the lead guitarist in the band. Later of the Pirates, Van Morrison and Paul McCartney bands. Sadly died of heart problems a while back.