He was born in Fyzabad, Trinidad and Tobago to Grenadian parents, and moved to England with his family at the age of eight. Oceans' musical influence came at an early age of his life, as his father was a musician, and realised he was inline to follow those ambitions as he was growing up. During his teenage years, he sang regularly in London clubs while also working as a tailor in London's Savile Row. He released his first single in 1972 on Spark Records as Les Charles.
When in Trinidad as a boy he adopted the name Billy Ocean, taking the surname from the local football team 'Ocean's Eleven', who had gotten the name from the famous film of the same name. The next year, 1976, was when he recorded his first album, Billy Ocean, with its first single release, "Love Really Hurts Without You," charting at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart and number 22 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. More successes ensued, including "L.O.D. (Love On Delivery)". He also wrote songs for other artists, such as La Toya Jackson. In 1981, he scored the U.S. R&B chart with "Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)".
Ocean's period of greatest success began with Suddenly during 1984, and its main single, "Caribbean Queen". The song's title and lyrics were changed for different regions, such that the song is also known as "African Queen" or "European Queen". The song won Ocean the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 1985 Grammy Awards. The album's title track also became a success, its score maximizing at #4 in both the US and the UK; and the song "Loverboy", while also being a #2 US success during 1985, from the album, was also the background music for the first scene of the popular UK BBC One TV series, Casualty, during 1986.
Ocean appeared at Live Aid in 1985, singing "Caribbean Queen" and "Loverboy", from the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
His 1986 album Love Zone also sold well. It included the successful singles "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (the theme from the film The Jewel of the Nile); this was a number one success in the UK and a number two in the U.S.; and "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" (a U.S. number one, and also a major UK success). Also included were the title track and "Love Is Forever", which were #10 and #16 U.S. successes for Ocean, respectively.
In February 1986, Ocean's video of "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" was banned by the BBC, owing to non-union members (including Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito) miming to backing vocals.
Ocean's next album, Tear Down These Walls (1988) featured another number one single, "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car", while the album was certified platinum.
His 1993 album Time to Move On failed to produce any major successes, but his 1989 Greatest Hits collection has been a steady seller over the years, and his 1997 compilation Love Is For Ever made #7 on the UK album chart. Ocean's last studio album for Jive Records was Time to Move On, which he recorded in Chicago with R&B star R. Kelly. It turned out that R. Kelly had been a long-time admirer of the way Ocean was able to mix the more emotive soul style with a crossover popular style.
In 2002, the University of Westminster awarded Ocean an honorary doctorate of music. The awards ceremony took place in the Barbican Centre, in London. He continues to tour and record in Europe. He lives in Sunningdale, Berkshire with his wife of 27 years, Judy; and their three children Cherie, Antony and Rachel. Ocean is now a patron for Tech Music Schools in London, made up of Drumtech, Vocaltech, Guitar-X and Keyboardtech. He regularly visits to hold clinics and seminars for the students.
In October 2007, Ocean commenced his first British tour in over 15 years. In February and March 2008 he toured Australia and the Far East. His new album, Because I Love You was released on 2 February 2009. To coincide with this new tour and album launch, Ocean has been working with Adoseof Design on a website revision which is due March 2009.
For more information got to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Ocean
Because of You
Billy Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You give me such inspiration
Day by day
You are my reason to smile
And I know that come what may
It's great world anyway
Heart to heart we can face any test
No matter what they say
It's a great world anyway
Oh it's because of you
I can face it all even though my back against the wall
In time of uncertainty
You are there for me
To guide me on and take to the limit with love
They all say it could never last
We'll prove them wrong
Like we did in the past
No matter what they say
It's a great world anyway
I need you in my life
I'll do anything to keep you in my life
Straight from my heart
I've got so much to give all tied up with a ribbon of love
Because of you I can face it all
Even though my back against the wall
In times of uncertainty you were there for me
To guide me on
And take me to the limit with love
Love is a river so free
Promise you won't stop the flow
Oh sometimes I sit down and
Wonder where would I be without you in my life
Oh it's because of you
I can face it all
Even though my back's against the wall
In times of uncertainty you were there for me
To guide me on
And take me to the limit with love
Ooh ooh
Oh baby
Oh in times of uncertainty
You were there for me
To guide me on and
Take me to the limit
Ooh ooh
You take me there baby
In the heat of the night
When I need some comfort
You're always there
To shelter me from harm
Because of you baby
Ooh ooh I need
Can you see my tears
Feel it on my pillow
Because of you
The lyrics to Billy Ocean's song "Because of You" are about the power of love and the impact it has on one's life. The song speaks of the inspiration, guidance, and comfort that a person can receive from someone they love. The singer talks about how his lover is the reason for his smiles and the inspiration he needs to keep going, even in times of uncertainty. The song emphasizes the importance of having someone you love to face any test and how love can conquer all. Even when faced with obstacles or critics, the singer trusts that the love he receives is enough to overcome it all. The lyrics also discuss how love is a free-flowing river that needs to be continuously nurtured to keep it going. The song ends by stating that the singer relies on his lover for protection and comfort, and he cannot imagine his life without them.
Line by Line Meaning
You give me such inspiration
You motivate and inspire me to be my best self.
Day by day
Every single day.
You are my reason to smile
You are the source of my happiness and joy.
And I know that come what may
No matter what happens in the future.
It's great world anyway
Life is still wonderful.
Heart to heart we can face any test
We can handle any challenges as long as we work together.
Could it be together we're the best
We are most successful when we are together.
No matter what they say
Regardless of other people's opinions.
Oh it's because of you
You are the sole reason.
I can face it all even though my back against the wall
I can handle any situation even when it's tough.
In time of uncertainty
During periods of doubt and insecurity.
You are there for me
You are supportive and present for me.
To guide me on and take to the limit with love
You help me navigate and push me to be the best I can be with your love.
They all say it could never last
Others believe our relationship can't withstand the test of time.
We'll prove them wrong
We will show them that they are mistaken.
Like we did in the past
We have proven others wrong about our relationship before.
I need you in my life
I cannot imagine life without you.
I'll do anything to keep you in my life
I will go to great lengths to ensure that you stay in my life.
Straight from my heart
My feelings are completely genuine.
I've got so much to give all tied up with a ribbon of love
I have a lot to offer and it's all centered around my love for you.
Love is a river so free
Love is a boundless and free-flowing entity.
Promise you won't stop the flow
Please don't hinder or prevent our love from flourishing.
Oh sometimes I sit down and wonder where would I be without you in my life
I reflect on how different my life would be if you weren't in it.
You take me there baby
You elevate me and take me to new heights.
In the heat of the night
During challenging times.
When I need some comfort
During times when I need emotional support.
You're always there
You're always present and available for me.
To shelter me from harm
To protect and shield me from danger.
Oh baby
An affectionate term directed towards the listener.
Ooh ooh I need
I have a strong desire or yearning.
Can you see my tears
I am crying and I hope you notice.
Feel it on my pillow
The tears are soaking into my pillow.
Contributed by Hudson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.