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.
Under The Boardwalk
Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas Lyrics
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And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fire proof
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be
(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be havin' some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
From the park you hear the happy sound of a carousel
Mm-mm, you can almost taste the hot dogs and french fries they sell
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be
(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be havin' some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be making love
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
Oh, under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be
(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be havin' some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be falling in love
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
This song is a classic summer love song about a couple seeking refuge from the hot sun by going under a boardwalk on the beach. The first verse describes the heat and discomfort that comes with being exposed to the sun by stating that the tar on the roof is burning, and the shoes become so hot that the feet feel like they need to be fireproof. The second verse describes the allure of the boardwalk, where happy sounds of a carousel can be heard and the aroma of hot dogs and French fries can be tasted. The song implies that the couple is seeking intimacy and privacy away from the sun, heat, and crowds above the boardwalk, where they can be on a blanket together.
The chorus, repeated for each verse, puts the listeners under the boardwalk, away from the sun, where they will have some fun, people will walk above them, and they will be making love. Each chorus is followed by the repeated refrain of "under the boardwalk," emphasizing the allure of the boardwalk as a place where the couple can escape and indulge in their romantic desires.
Overall, "Under the Boardwalk" is a fun and light-hearted song that captures the essence of a summer romance on the boardwalk.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof
The intense heat from the sun makes the roof unbearably hot and uncomfortable.
And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fireproof
The heat is so intense that even shoes become unbearable and one wishes they could withstand the heat like fireproof materials.
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
Finding relief from the sun's heat by seeking shelter under the boardwalk, close to the sea.
On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be
Enjoying the company of a loved one on a comfortable blanket, shielded from the sun's harsh effects.
(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
Hiding from the intense heat to remain cool and comfortable.
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be havin' some fun
Having an enjoyable time under the boardwalk away from the sun's heat and with a loved one.
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
Observing and hearing the activity of individuals walking along the boardwalk above.
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be making love
Sharing an intimate moment with a loved one under the boardwalk away from prying eyes.
From the park you hear the happy sound of a carousel
The pleasurable sound of a nearby carousel at a park can be heard from under the boardwalk.
Mm-mm, you can almost taste the hot dogs and french fries they sell
The aroma of nearby food vendors selling delicious hot dogs and french fries can be strongly detected in the air.
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be falling in love
The intimate setting under the boardwalk creates a romantic atmosphere that leads to falling in love.
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
Repeated emphasis on the location where the couple is finding enjoyment, comfort, and love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: Arthur Resnick, Kenny Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind