Billy J. Kramer (born William Howard Ashton, 19 August 1943, in Bootle, Liverpool, England) was a British Invasion / Merseybeat singer. He is known today primarily as the singer of various Lennon-McCartney compositions that The Beatles did not use.
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.
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 the 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 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 became a Top Ten hit.
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.
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 today. Drummer Pete Hilton joined the band in 1996 replacing Tony Bookbinder and after Mike maxfield sufferred a stroke in 2004 guitarist Alan Clare along. In January 2008 Eddie was asked to replace Rod Allen, the Fortunes frontman who had sadly died in Dec 2007. Another new face now fronts The Dakotas - Paul Rafferty.
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 & The Dakotas 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 © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stationofdreams1241
Lennon & McCartney wrote so many fine tunes for Billy. He was so lucky to get such great songs. And they still sound wonderful today.
@MyMy-zi7yv
Not sure, but I don't think they wrote it specifically for him .. I think the songs he did by them may have been castoffs they didn't record. Now I'm pretty sure McCartney with his blessing let Peter and Gordon do songs that the Beatles wrote, I think at the time he was maybe gonna be the future husband of Jane Asher, Peter's Sister when McCartney did that. Anyone out there correct me please as I'm not a hundred percent.
@rtrepsas
Another masterpiece that Paul wrote and the Beatles gave away. What a talent for songwriting! And Paul comes in to sing that last high note on this recording, as well.
@kevanbrown7620
Just want to say it wasn't all Paul writing these songs for others John wrote for other's bad to me was a full Lennon song,hello little girl,I'm in love plus others
@tedbartlettvideochannel5740
Great song crap ending lol
@scottbreseke716
@KEZ RK MAYALL For example, song "Bad to Me", written mostly or entirely by John Lennon.
@tompearson2486
One of the most underrated songs of the early sixties. Just a feel good great song.
@lety04
What a wonderful song!John and Paul are so amazing
@lduranceau8046
One of the best songs of the 60's. Great vocals and also a great bass line.
@mikefuller6959
+L Duranceau 60's Perfection! As pure and as refreshing as an icy cool mountain stream! Pure Poetry!