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.
Second to None
Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't have get no fun
but I don't care
cause I;m walking on air
got a love that is second to none
all day I want to see her
my one and only one
with a smile ??
got a love that is second to none
shes the one who makes me hapy when things don't turn out fine
I know she'll wait untill I'm ready
ready to make her mine
I hope someday I'll marry
the girl whose heart I've won
we;'ll be so happy
together I know with a love that is second to none
The song "Second to None" by Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas is a love song about a man who is poor and has no material possessions, but is filled with joy and contentment because he has found love. The lyrics express the idea that money and material things are not important when one has a love that is "second to none". The singer sings about his desire to be with his beloved all day long, admiring the color of her eyes and the way she smiles. He acknowledges that she is the one who makes him happy even when things are not going well. He hopes to one day marry her and spend his life with her, always remembering the love that they share.
This song is a testament to the enduring power of love, and how it can bring happiness and contentment to those who truly cherish it. It speaks to the idea that true love is about two people coming together and forming a bond that is stronger than anything else. The singer of the song understands that while he may not have material wealth or other things that society values, he is rich in love and that is all that really matters.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't have no money
I currently lack financial resources
I don't have get no fun
I am not experiencing excitement or enjoyment
but I don't care
Despite my current situation, I am not bothered
cause I;m walking on air
I feel elated and happy
got a love that is second to none
I possess an incredible and unrivaled love
all day I want to see her
I desire to be with my beloved throughout the day
my one and only one
The only person I care for romantically
her eyes are so blue
The color of her eyes is a beautiful blue
with a smile ??
Her smile is not explicitly described
got a love that is second to none
My love for her is extraordinary
shes the one who makes me happy when things don't turn out fine
She brings happiness into my life, especially during trying times
I know she'll wait until I'm ready
She will be patient for me to feel fully prepared
ready to make her mine
When I am confident and ready, I will commit myself to her
I hope someday I'll marry
My future aspiration is to marry
the girl whose heart I've won
The woman who has fallen in love with me
we'll be so happy
Our future together promises to be filled with joy
together I know with a love that is second to none
Our love for each other will be greater than any other we've encountered
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBIN F. MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anacristinaortegabobadilla9198
Amo está maravillosa canción con todo mi ser 😢❤
@Katy-ye1zr
There is no doubt that this is one of his prettiest songs, perfect for his voice. I'd never heard it before. What a gift I finally have. It sounds as if (or perhaps was) released or written and/or arranged by Peter & Gordon.
@forrestkellogg8317
Wow Robin Macdonald did very well arranging this!!!
@stationofdreams1241
A really lovely tune. Good enough to have be have been an A side in my opinion.
@Viznel137
Love this one!Takes me back to California!
@ryansams1682
Genius.
@user-sf2ow4qv1n
SUPER
@sustainfem
Fab!!